Researchers from Aberdeen Royal Infirmary have identified a unique gut micro-organism that can reduce the size of cancer tumours. The biotech company 4D, a spinoff from Aberdeen University’s Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, and now centred in Leeds, England, sponsored the research in Scotland and Germany, and are extremely excited by such ‘live-biotherapeutics’.
4D has a ‘drug discovery platform’, MicroRX and this identified the bacterium Megasphaera massiliensis MRx1299. Normally, this commensal bacterium works with the immune system to attack pathogens.
Early-stage studies have shown that this bacterium ‘enhanced’ the body’s own immune response making, for example, immunotherapy work far better. The researchers used the bacterium with attacking T-cells and with the new personalised CAR-T immunotherapy drugs, finding it improved results significantly in each case.
Research was conducted in Germany with the Philipps-University Marburg and the Universitätsklinikum Würzburg.
The 4D spokesperson said that it showed their platform worked. 4D merged with Longevity Acquisition Corporation and is already listed on Nasdaq. Other live biotherapeutics are in the pipeline.
Go to: How to make your Immunotherapy work properly
Reference
- The Press and Journal; business News https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/business/3290815/4d-pharma-confirms-early-potential-of-bacteria-to-revolutionise-cancer-treatment/