Recent Advances and Mechanisms of Phage-Based Therapies in Cancer Treatment - Review - key concepts and clinical potential

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Miles

Bacteriophage technology is attracting growing interest for novel cancer applications. High specificity, controllability, non-toxicity, and nanoscale properties make phages suitable carriers for targeted therapy and cancer immunotherapy. The approach is timely because cancer research faces obstacles such as damage to healthy cells, inefficient targeting, biological barrier interference, and drug resistance. Core mechanisms include immunogenic antigen display on phage coats and phage-mediated delivery of drugs, genes, and other molecules. Studies highlight gene therapy and phage-based vaccines using M13 and λ, with some progressing to human clinical trials, while challenges like reticuloendothelial clearance and diffusion inefficiency require further research and support before routine oncology use.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages21

Reading Time53 min

AccessFree to download

1. Introduction

2. What Are Bacteriophages?

2.1 Classification by ICTV and cancer-relevant families

2.2 Historical discovery and early research

2.3 Classification table for phages used in cancer therapy

Abstract

Keywords

Review Recent Advances and Mechanisms of Phage-Based Therapies in Cancer Treatment Vivian Y. Ooi† and Ting-Yu Yeh * Citation: Ooi, V.Y.; Yeh, T.-Y. Recent Advances and Mechanisms of Phage-Based Therapies in Cancer Treatment. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25, 9938. [https://doi.org/10.3390/](https://doi.org/10.3390/)[ ](https://doi.org/10.3390/)ijms25189938 Academic Editor: Wilfried Moreira Received: 1 August 2024 Revised: 7 September 2024 Accepted: 12 September 2024 Published: 14 September 2024 Copyright: © 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license ([https://](https://)[ ](https://)[creativecommons.org/licenses/by/](creativecommons.org/licenses/by/)[ ](creativecommons.org/licenses/by/)[4.0/](4.0/)) . Agricultural Biotechnology Laboratory, Auxergen Inc., Riti Rossi Colwell Center, 701 E Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202, USA * [Correspondence: yehty@auxergen.com](Correspondence: yehty@auxergen.com); Tel.: +1-443-762-1974 † Current address: Walt Whitman High School, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA. Abstract: The increasing interest in bacteriophage technology has prompted its novel applications to treat different medical conditions, most interestingly cancer. Due to their high specificity, manipulability, nontoxicity, and nanosize nature, phages are promising carriers in targeted therapy and cancer immunotherapy. This approach is particularly timely, as current challenges in cancer research include damage to healthy cells, inefficiency in targeting, obstruction by biological barriers, and drug resistance. Some cancers are being kept at the forefront of phage research, such as colorectal cancer and HCC, while others like lymphoma, cervical cancer, and myeloma have not been retouched ina decade. Common mechanisms are immunogenic antigen display on phage coats and the use of phage as transporters to carry drugs, genes, and other molecules. To date, popular phage treatments being tested are gene therapy and phage-based vaccines using M13 and λ phage, with some vaccines having advanced to human clinical trials. The results from most of these studies have been promising, but limitations in phage-based therapies such as reticuloendothelial system clearance or diffusion inefficiency must be addressed. Before phage-based therapies for cancer can be successfully used in oncology practice, more in-depth research and support from local governments are required. Keywords: phage; peptide display; cancer therapy; gene therapy; immunity 1. Introduction Despite the many advancements achieved in clinical medicine, there are still diseases which continue to plague modern scientists. One of the most challenging of these diseases is cancer, with as many as one in five people in the world developing cancer in their lifetime [1] . Cancer is a disease characterized by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells and their spread (metastasis) to other parts of the body [2] . The complexity of cancer, particularly the molecular and genetic variability across its subtypes, makes it challenging to treat and ultimately cure. While there are a range of current treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, personalized targeted therapy based on next generation sequencing findings, and immunotherapy, scientists are searching for new therapies that can overcome drawbacks including poor accessibility, side effects, lack of effectiveness, and high cost. An example of a burgeoning treatment option is phage-based therapy. This relatively novel application of bacteriophages is a promising avenue of research and is being further explored for its great potential to become a reliable treatment option for cancer. 2. What Are Bacteriophages? Bacteriophages, one of the most abundant biological entities, are a diverse set of viruses that infect bacteria. The International Committee for Taxonomy

FAQs

Why are bacteriophages considered promising for cancer treatment?

Phages offer high specificity, controllability, non-toxicity, and nanoscale properties. They can function as targeted therapy carriers and support cancer immunotherapy.

What common mechanisms are discussed for phage-based cancer approaches?

A key mechanism is immunogenic antigen display on phage coats. Another is using phages as transporters to deliver drugs, genes, and other molecules.

What limitations must be addressed before phage therapies are used widely in oncology practice?

The article highlights barriers such as reticuloendothelial system clearance and diffusion inefficiency. It also notes the need for deeper research and local government support.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Miles