Improving delivery of therapeutic bacteria for breast cancer treatment

Programmable encapsulation systems to improve delivery of therapeutic bacteria

NIH-funded research Columbia Univ New York Morningside · NIH-10893624

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 typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionColumbia Univ New York Morningside NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-10893624 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, particularly those with metastatic disease.

Not a fit: Patients with non-breast cancers or those who do not have triple-negative breast cancer may not benefit from this research.

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 performed: 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

New York, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.