Probiotic Bifidobacterium targets pancreatic tumors, delivering immune-boosting therapy

Researchers at the University of Chicago engineered Bifidobacterium longum to deliver a tumor-focused form of IL-2 (SumIL-2) inside pancreatic tumors, turning the bacteria into localized drug factories that selectively activate cancer-fighting T cells and slow tumor growth in preclinical models. The effect is enhanced when combined with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy. While promising, the approach has not yet been tested in humans, and future work will assess safety, potential off-target effects, durability, and the feasibility of oral delivery, plus potential combinations with KRAS inhibitors.