Engineered Bacterial Bioreactor for Tumor Therapy via Fenton‐Like Reaction with Localized H₂O₂ Generation

Abstract

Abstract Synthetic biology based on bacteria has been displayed in antitumor therapy and shown good performance. In this study, an engineered bacterium Escherichia coli MG1655 is designed with NDH‐2 enzyme (respiratory chain enzyme II) overexpression (Ec‐pE), which can colonize in tumor regions and increase localized H 2 O 2 generation. Following from this, magnetic Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles are covalently linked to bacteria to act as a catalyst for a Fenton‐like reaction, which converts H 2 O 2 to toxic hydroxyl radicals (•OH) for tumor therapy. In this constructed bioreactor, the Fenton‐like reaction occurs with sustainably synthesized H 2 O 2 produced by engineered bacteria, and severe tumor apoptosis is induced via the produced toxic •OH. These results show that this bioreactor can achieve effective tumor colonization, and realize a self‐supplied therapeutic Fenton‐like reaction without additional H 2 O 2 provision.