Improving delivery of therapeutic bacteria for breast cancer treatment
Official title: Programmable encapsulation systems to improve delivery of therapeutic bacteria
Funded at Columbia Univ New York Morningside · NIH-10893624 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new type of friendly bacteria that can be given through an IV to help treat triple-negative breast cancer by delivering medicine directly to the tumors, which could make the treatment more effective and cause fewer side effects for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia Univ New York Morningside NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $617,386 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EB034302-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10893624 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, particularly those with metastatic disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-breast cancers or those who do not have triple-negative breast cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing engineered probiotic bacteria that can specifically target and colonize tumors in patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). By using advanced synthetic biology techniques, the project aims to create bacteria that can safely deliver high doses of therapeutics directly to the tumor site, minimizing side effects and enhancing treatment efficacy. The approach involves intravenous delivery of these specially designed bacteria, which have shown promise in preliminary studies for effectively reaching multiple tumor sites. Patients may benefit from a more targeted and effective treatment option that reduces the risks associated with traditional therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a novel and safer treatment option for patients with triple-negative breast cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promise in using engineered bacteria for cancer treatment, but this specific approach is innovative and aims to address existing challenges in the field.
Where this research is happening
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Columbia Univ New York Morningside
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Danino, Tal — Columbia Univ New York Morningside
- Study coordinator: Danino, Tal
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.