| Sep 25, 2025 |
Bacteria coated liquid metal nanoparticles wipe out tumors in miceNew nanoparticles made from bacteria and liquid metal locate tumors, trigger immune attacks, and destroy cancer in mice under near infrared light with no major side effects.(Nanowerk News) Researchers have developed the first nanocomposite that combines liquid metal, lactic acid bacteria, and fluorescent dye to both detect and destroy cancer. In mouse studies, this technology achieved complete elimination of tumors while also confirming excellent safety (Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials, "Bacterial-adjuvant liquid metal nanocomposites for synergistic photothermal immunotherapy"). |
| The nanoparticles were created by coating gallium-indium liquid metal with components of lactic acid bacteria and the dye indocyanine green. This simple fabrication process involved ultrasonic treatment to produce spherical particles that remained stable for over a week, maintained cell compatibility, and efficiently converted near-infrared light into heat. |
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| Conceptual diagram of cancer photoimmunotherapy utilizing multifunctional liquid metal nanocomposites. (Image: reprinted from DOI:10.1007/s42114-025-01434-7, CC BY) |
| When injected into mice with transplanted colorectal cancer, the nanocomposites selectively accumulated in tumors through the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. Near-infrared light then triggered three simultaneous effects: |
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| With just two five-minute sessions of near-infrared irradiation across two days, the mice’s cancers were completely eradicated within five days. Control experiments confirmed the importance of the combined design: lactic acid bacteria alone produced only moderate antitumor effects, and immune-inactive nanoparticles had no significant impact, even under light. |
| The research also established strong evidence of safety. Tests on both mouse cancer cells and human fibroblasts showed no toxicity. Blood analyses and body weight monitoring in mice revealed minimal adverse effects. |
| The approach builds on earlier discoveries that tumors harbor unique bacterial communities, which may be used for targeted therapies. “Combining immune-activating substances with liquid metals for selective delivery to cancer sites could achieve potent antitumor effects and integrate diagnosis and treatment using near-infrared light,” said the study’s lead researcher. |
| The findings highlight how gallium-indium alloys—already valued for their biocompatibility—can be used in medicine when combined with microbial components. Researchers believe this breakthrough could lay the foundation for new cancer photoimmunotherapy that unifies diagnosis and treatment. Future work will aim to expand the method to other cancers and move toward clinical application. |
| Source: Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (Note: Content may be edited for style and length) |
