Phage-guided modulation of the gut microbiota of mouse models of colorectal cancer augments their responses to chemotherapy

Nat Biomed Eng. 2019 Sep;3(9):717-728. doi: 10.1038/s41551-019-0423-2. Epub 2019 Jul 22.

Abstract

The microbiota in the human gut is strongly correlated with the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC) and with therapeutic responses to CRC. Here, by leveraging the higher concentration of the pro-tumoural Fusobacterium nucleatum and the absence of antineoplastic butyrate-producing bacteria in the faecal microbiota of patients with CRC, we show that-in mice with orthotopic colorectal tumours or with spontaneously formed colorectal tumours-oral or intravenous administration of irinotecan-loaded dextran nanoparticles covalently linked to azide-modified phages that inhibit the growth of F. nucleatum significantly augments the efficiency of first-line chemotherapy treatments of CRC. We also show that oral administration of the phage-guided irinotecan-loaded nanoparticles in piglets led to negligible changes in haemocyte counts, immunoglobulin and histamine levels, and liver and renal functions. Phage-guided nanotechnology for the modulation of the gut microbiota might inspire new approaches for the treatment of CRC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bacteria / drug effects*
  • Bacteria / growth & development
  • Bacteria / metabolism
  • Bacteria / virology*
  • Bacteriophages*
  • Butyrates / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Colonic Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Colonic Neoplasms / microbiology
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / microbiology*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Dextrans
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Drug Therapy / methods*
  • Fusobacterium nucleatum / drug effects
  • Fusobacterium nucleatum / growth & development
  • Fusobacterium nucleatum / metabolism
  • Fusobacterium nucleatum / virology
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome / drug effects
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome / physiology*
  • Immunoglobulins
  • Irinotecan / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Nanoparticles

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Butyrates
  • Dextrans
  • Immunoglobulins
  • Irinotecan