University of Illinois Chicago Develops Bacteria-Inspired Cancer Therapy Targeting Tumor Energy Production
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have developed a novel cancer therapy that utilizes a strategy inspired by bacteria residing within tumors. This approach targets the energy production mechanisms of cancer cells rather than attacking the cells directly. The therapy involves a lab-made peptide called aurB, derived from a bacterial protein, which disrupts the mitochondria within cancer cells, thereby hindering their energy supply. In prostate cancer models, the therapy showed significant results, especially when combined with radiation, a standard treatment. The findings, published in Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, highlight the potential of targeting mitochondria, the cell's energy factories, as an effective cancer treatment strategy. 
