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Magnetotactic bacteria for cancer therapy

Abstract: Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) are aquatic microorganisms that are able to biomineralize membrane-enclosed magnetic nanoparticles called magnetosomes. Inside the MTB, magnetosomes are arranged in a chain that allows MTB to align and navigate along the Earth's magnetic field. When isolated from the MTB, magnetosomes display a number of potential applications for targeted cancer therapies, such as magnetic hyperthermia, localized drug delivery, or tumor monitoring. The characteristics and properties of magnetosomes for these applications exceed in several aspects those of synthetic magnetic nanoparticles. Likewise, the whole MTB can also be considered as promising agents for cancer treatment, taking advantage of their self-propulsion capability provided by their flagella and the guidance capabilities ensured by their magnetosome chain. Indeed, MTB are envisaged as nanobiots that can be guided and manipulated by external magnetic fields and are naturally attracted toward hypoxic areas, such as the tumor regions, while retaining the therapeutic and imaging capacities of the isolated magnetosomes. Moreover, unlike most of the bacteria currently tested in clinical trials for cancer therapy, MTB are not pathogenic but could be engineered to deliver and/or express specific cytotoxic molecules. In this article, we will review the progress and perspectives of this emerging research field and will discuss the main challenges to overcome before the use of MTB can be successfully applied in the clinic.

 Fuente: Journal of Applied Physics, 2020, 128, 070902

 Publisher: American Institute of Physics

 Publication date: 01/08/2020

 No. of pages: 14

 Publication type: Article

 DOI: 10.1063/5.0018036

 ISSN: 0021-8979,1089-7550,1520-8850

 Spanish project: MAT2017-83631-C3-R

 Publication Url: https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0018036

Authorship

MARIA LUISA FERNANDEZ-GUBIEDA RUIZ

ANA GARCIA PRIETO

ALFREDO GARCIA ARRIBAS

MUELA, ALICIA