Bacteriolytic therapy with Clostridium ghonii for experimental solid tumors

Clostridium ghonii (C. ghonii) is a non-pathogenic Clostridium species and a strictly anaerobic, spore-forming bacterium. However, its bacterial oncolytic capabilities and applications have not yet been reported. This study aimed to determining the bacterial oncolytic capability of C. ghonii for the treatment of experimental solid tumors. C. ghonii secreted collagenase IV and phospholipase c and significantly promoted apoptosis and necrosis in cultured A549 cells. C. ghonii spores specially germinated and were distributed in the tumors, and elicited the immune responses after intratumoral injection in tumor-bearing mice. C. ghonii spores decreased tumor volumes and increased tumor necrosis and inhibition rates in tumor-bearing mice. Furthermore, the combination of radiation and C. ghonii exerted additive anti-tumor effects. Taken together, our data indicate that C. ghonii is a bacteriolytic therapeutic agent against solid tumors. Given the proven natural safety of C. ghonii, it is attractive as a potential novel bacteriolytic therapy for solid tumors.