Probiotic Bacteria Forge Localized Immunotherapy for Pancreatic Cancer

Engineered Bifidobacterium longum delivers SumIL-2 directly into pancreatic tumors to activate cancer-fighting T cells, slowing tumor growth in animal studies; the effect improves when combined with chemotherapy, radiation, or anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy, and hinges on the tumors’ low-oxygen microenvironment to localize treatment. Human safety and delivery method remain to be tested.