Unmet Need
Hypoxia is a prominent feature of solid tumors and can function as fertile environment for oncolytic anaerobic bacteria such as Clostridium novyi-NT (C. novyi-NT) where it can induce tumor destruction in mice and patients. However, two major obstacles have limited its use, namely the host inflammatory response and the incomplete clearance of normoxic tumor areas
Technology Overview
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have identified an antimetabolite that improves tumor clearance of certain oncolytic bacteria therapies in solid and localized tumors such as glioblastomas of the brain. Existing oncolytic bacteria treatments are obstructed by accumulated host immune cells that impedes complete oncolysis of peripheral tumor tissue. The disclosed technology would reduce the cellular obstruction and improve tumor clearance and patient outcomes.
Stage of Development
The authors have developed the technology and have validated its efficacy in animal models in pre-clinical trials.
Publication
Neutrophil depletion enhanced the Clostridium novyi-NT therapy in mouse and rabbit tumor models - PubMed (nih.gov)
