Tumor-targeted delivery of TAT-Apoptin fusion gene using Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 to colorectal cancer.

In view of the high incidence and mortality of the colorectal cancer, the limited efficacy and serious adverse effect of the conventional treatment, a novel alternative treatment needs to be developed. Recent studies have demonstrated that the targeted therapy as an alternative treatment showed a promising prospect. We hypothesized that construct a recombination non-pathogenic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN), inserting a fusion gene TAT-Apoptin into this probiotic vector, as a targeted therapy strategy for patients of colorectal cancer. Compared with conventional treatments for tumors, the recombination EcN containing TAT-Apoptin fusion gene is capable of tumor-specific colonization, secretary expression and efficient intracellular delivery and therefore able to reduce the incidence of side effect and promote the efficiency of treatment.