Photodynamic eradication of intratumoral microbiota with bacteria‐targeted micelles overcomes gemcitabine resistance of pancreatic cancer

Abstract

Abstract Increasing evidence suggests that intratumoral microbiota plays a pivotal role in tumor progression, immunosurveillance, metastasis, and chemosensitivity. Particularly, in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, tumor‐resident Gammaproteobacteria could transform the chemotherapeutic drug gemcitabine (Gem) into its inactive form, thus rendering chemotherapy ineffective. Herein, a strategy for selectively eradicating intratumoral bacteria was described for overcoming Gem resistance in a pancreatic cancer animal model. An antimicrobial peptide was linked with photosensitizer through a poly (ethylene glycol) chain, which can self‐assemble into micelles with a diameter of ∼20 nm. The micelles could efficiently kill bacteria under light irradiation by inducing membrane depolarization, thereby inhibiting Gem metabolism. In a bacteria‐resident pancreatic cancer animal model, the selective photodynamic eradication of intratumoral bacteria was demonstrated to efficiently reverse Gem resistance. This research highlights antibacterial photodynamic therapy as a promising adjuvant strategy for cancer therapy by modulating intratumoral microbiota.

Keywords

• antimicrobial peptide
• gemcitabine resistance
• intratumoral microbiota
• pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
• photodynamic antibacterial therapy