2010 Annual Report - Cancer Research Center

Current Research
site. Nanoparticle work, including testing different nanoparticles and drug formulations, will continue in
2011 and improve the cancer-killing effectiveness of our BCT therapy. (Figure 2) In addition to carrying additional
cancer therapies to the tumor site, nanoparticles can also be used as an important cancer-detection
diagnostic tool as they are easily detected in the body and will be used to confirm that the therapy being
used is properly concentrating at the tumor site inside our animal cancer model and eventually, our clinical
cancer patient.
Work on the BCT therapy to date has attracted the interest of other cancer research facilities, including
Immunophotonics, Inc. The CRC has entered into a collaboration with Immunophotonics to determine if
BCT therapy can be successfully combined with Immunophotonics, Inc. therapeutic technologies that are
already in FDA clinical testing for use in the USA and being successfully used in clinics in Peru. We are
continuing this research partnership in 2011.
We also continue to search for and select bacterial
strains with improved targeting capabilities. In 2010,
visiting CRC Scholar Dr. Chengzhi Wang developed
an improved protocol for generating strains
that target prostate cancers in our animal prostate
cancer model and is continuing his work to make
a better targeting strain in 2011. Dr. Kazmierczak,
with the assistance of our CRC student interns, is
selecting and screening new bacterial species for
their ability to attach to human prostate cancer
cells in culture. (Figure 3) This work is expected to
continue throughout 2011 and will yield important
information about the nature of bacterial attraction
to cancer cells and tumor masses. As strain generation
progresses we will also be looking for stains with
targeting ability for melanoma , pancreatic, colon
and breast cancers. This work will be done in tissue
culture and will lay the groundwork for approval for
animal model studies of these cancer types in the
future.
Figure 3 Attachment of nanoparticles
on outer perimeter of cancer targeting (2631) cells.
Each year we build on the success of previous years
as we continue the development of a bacterial cancer therapy. It seems like only yesterday the idea of scouring
our unique collection of archival Salmonella for a new weapon against cancer was born. Thanks to our
generous supporters and hard work our Salmonella-based bacterial cancer therapy is making great progress
on the way to becoming an effective treatment in the fight against cancer.
Coley, W. 1929. The cancer symposium at Lake Mohonk. Am. J. Surg. 1:22-23.
Friberg, S. 1993. BCG in the treatment of superficial cancer of the bladder: a review. Med Oncol Tumor
Pharmacother 10:31-6.
A year in review 2010 13