Cancer costs $1.9 trillion globally. This microbiome breakthrough could change that.

In the battle against cancer, researchers are leaving no stone unturned to uncover novel strategies. In a remarkable stride, a team from POSTECH and ImmunoBiome has potentially unlocked a groundbreaking approach – harnessing the microbiome to fuel anti-tumor responses. Their research, published in the prestigious Nature Immunology, unveils a dietary-derived bacterial strain, IMB001, that induces "nutritional immunity," a potent weapon against cancer cells.

As Albert Einstein eloquently stated, "The human mind has first to construct forms, independently, before we can find them in things." This discovery illuminates the intricate mechanisms by which microbial therapies combat cancer, paving the way for their integration into clinical settings.

Imagine a world where our bodies' natural defenses are fortified by the very microbes that coexist within us. This groundbreaking research, led by the esteemed Dr. Sin-Hyeog Im, a professor at Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) and founder & CEO of ImmunoBiome, has established a novel strategy for identifying beneficial bacteria suitable for cancer treatment.

The Mechanism: A Potent Weapon Against Tumor Cells The team has not only identified the powerful strain IMB001 but also unraveled the intricate mechanism by which these bacteria induce specific immune responses within the body. Classified as Lactobacillus plantarum IMB19 (LpIMB19), this unique single-strain Live Biotherapeutic Product (LBP) has demonstrated remarkable results in preclinical studies targeting various cancers.

In animal models, IMB001 has proven its mettle by delaying tumor progression in melanoma, renal cancer, breast cancer, and even experimental metastasis. But that's not all – this remarkable strain also potentiates the effectiveness of checkpoint inhibitor therapy (anti-PDL1), offering a viable option as a combination therapy with conventional cancer treatments.

The Secret Weapon: Rhamnose-rich Capsular Polysaccharide (RHP) In their pursuit of excellence, the research team has isolated the effector molecule, Rhamnose-rich Capsular Polysaccharide (RHP), from the bacteria IMB001. This molecule has showcased promising effects in animal models of cancer, further amplifying the potential of microbial cancer therapies.

Here are five key insights into how IMB001 wages war against tumor cells:

1. It skews tumor-infiltrating macrophages toward an inflammatory phenotype, activating the adaptive immune system.
2. These activated macrophages increase the infiltration and activation of IFNγ+CD8+ T cells, boosting the body's anti-tumor defenses.
3. The inflammatory macrophages deploy a high-affinity iron transporter called Lipocalin 2 (LCN2) to starve tumor cells by sequestering essential iron from their surroundings.
4. Depriving rapidly multiplying tumor cells of the nutritionally essential trace element iron leads to increased cell death.
5. This epitope expansion (increased immune system targets) and overall tumor growth suppression contribute to the potent anti-tumor effects of IMB001.

A Monumental Leap in Microbial Therapies Prof. Im emphasized the significance of this research, stating it represents a significant leap forward for the company and strengthens their position as a leader in LBPs. He expressed excitement about moving IMB001, discovered through Avatiome, towards clinical development. The team is currently filing Investigational New Drug (IND) applications and planning to initiate a clinical trial in 2025.

"Understanding how LBPs interact with the immune system to generate potent anti-tumor responses is crucial," Prof. Im stated. "This paves the way for a multi-faceted approach to cancer treatment." He highlighted how current microbial therapies were often chosen based on their effects, not the underlying mechanisms. ImmunoBiome has successfully identified and validated IMB001's mechanism for boosting anti-tumor immunity within tumors.

Pioneering Precision in Microbial Therapies ImmunoBiome is a frontrunner in developing Live Biotherapeutic Products (LBPs) to tackle currently incurable conditions like cancer and autoimmune diseases. Their expertise lies in discovering, identifying, and developing therapies based on live bacteria and derived drugs.

Through their proprietary platform, Avatiome, the company rationally selects pharmacologically active bacterial strains and understands mechanisms of action in different disease settings. They collaborate with leading global researchers to identify, isolate, purify, and chemically characterize immunologically active molecules from bacteria. ImmunoBiome has built its own database of human commensal bacterial strains isolated from various mucosal surfaces.

Additionally, they are at the forefront of developing predictive strategies that link biomarkers to disease prognosis using vast datasets from human clinical trials.

In Conclusion,

Embrace the Microbiome Revolution as we stand at the precipice of a microbiome revolution in cancer therapies, it is crucial to embrace this paradigm shift with open arms. The potential of microbial therapies extends far beyond traditional cancer treatments, offering a multifaceted approach to combat this formidable disease.

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