# Bacterial vector cancer vaccines

Source: https://onco.cc/technologies/bacterial-vector-vaccines/  
OnCo record `bacterial-vector-vaccines` (Technology). Data CC BY-NC 4.0, attribute "Data from OnCo (onco.cc)"; commercial use needs a licence.

## TL;DR

Weakened bacteria such as Listeria engineered to carry tumour antigens, using the body's strong response to infection to train T cells against cancer.

## Summary

Live attenuated Listeria monocytogenes and other bacteria naturally infect antigen-presenting cells and trigger powerful innate and T-cell responses. Engineered strains secreting tumour antigens (Advaxis's ADXS-HPV against HPV E7 in cervical cancer, and strains targeting mesothelin or neoantigens) reached phase 2 and 3 trials; results were disappointing and the approach is now concentrated in combination studies and personalised designs. Related work uses engineered bacteria to deliver payloads inside tumours.

## Fields

- Kind: Technology
- Status: phase-2
- Last checked: 2026-09-04
- Principle: Attenuated bacteria expressing a tumour antigen fused to an immunogenic bacterial protein are infused, infect dendritic cells and present the antigen with strong innate danger signals.
- Strengths: Potent innate adjuvant effect; Manufacturable and off the shelf
- Limitations: Phase 3 failure in cervical cancer; Infection risk in immunosuppressed patients

## Sources

- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cancer_vaccine
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cancer_vaccine

## Connected records

- cancers: [Cervical cancer](https://onco.cc/cancers/cervical/), [Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma](https://onco.cc/cancers/pancreatic/)
- fronts: [Immunotherapy](https://onco.cc/fronts/immunotherapy/)
- technologies: [Engineered bacteria as living cancer drugs](https://onco.cc/technologies/engineered-bacteria-therapy/)
- terms: [Cancer vaccines and oncolytic viruses](https://onco.cc/terms/vaccines-and-oncolytic-viruses/)

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