title: Live genetically modified bacteria as drug delivery tools: at the doorstep of a new pharmacology?
abstract: Recent advances in genetic modification technology show that lactic acid bacteria can constitutively produce functional, eukaryote-derived proteins without any apparent negative effect on bacterial growth and physiology. These bacteria appear capable of surviving and of being physiologically active at the mucosal surfaces of higher eukaryotes. Studies in animal models also suggest that these findings could have a major impact in human medicine. Alongside conceptual proofs, the development of a robust system for biological containment will allow for the examination of genetically modified lactic acid bacteria as vectors of therapeutic protein delivery in human healthcare.
authors.forename: Lothar
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Steidler
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001419:Bacteria / Q000235:genetics*; D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D011506:Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011506:Proteins