2288P - Recolony-treating solid tumors with a bacteria-based approach

Background

Current therapies for oncology patients are often ineffective and present severe side effects, decreasing the quality of life of patients significantly. Recent advances in technology and biomedical research have contributed to the characterization of the the human microbiome and uncovered its important role in health and disease. Those findings allowed monitoring, preventing or even curing human disease through specific microbiome interventions. In this context, we now provide a novel and unique solution for the treatment of solid tumors.

Methods

C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice were used to perform the in vivo studies. MC-38, CT-26, B16, LLC1.1 and 4T1 cells were used for the heterotopic tumor injections. Flow cytometry and histological analysis were performed to analyze the immune cell compartments. Metagenomics analysis and whole genome sequence were performed to identify the bacterial strains. Metabolomics analysis were conducted to analyse the serum composition of mice and humans.

Results

Based on human CRC data, we identified specific bacteria that are less abundant in CRC patients compared to healthy individuals. When these bacteria are applied in mice, they show very high efficacy as a monotherapy in tumor models for CRC, melanoma, breast and lung cancer through specific activation of CD8+ T-cells ( Montalban-Arques et al. 2021 ). Based on this finding, we now identified the bacterial metabolite that is responsible for the observed immune-activating effect as well as the receptor that is targeted by that molecule, providing a defined mode of action. This allows us to better evaluate our pre-clinical safety and efficacy studies and it give us a strong advantage, comparing to the current microbiome-based solutions where mechanisms remain unkown.

Conclusions

With our promising proof of concept studies, we are aiming to develop a safe and novel microbiome-based solution for the treatment of solid tumors. The specific bacterial strains will be applied to cancer patients in lyophilized form contained in gastro resistant capsules with colonic release. Our bacteria-based cancer therapy aims to improve treatment efficacy while reducing side effects and increasing the life expectancy and quality-of-life of cancer patients.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

The authors.

Funding

Recolony AG.

Disclosure

E. Katkeviciute, P. Busenhart, A. Montalban-Arques: Financial Interests, Personal and Institutional, Stocks or ownership: Recolony AG.