Distinct inactivated bacterial-based immune modulators vary in their therapeutic efficacies for treating disease based on the organ site of pathology.

Recent developments in understanding how the functional phenotype of the innate immune system is programmed has led to paradigm-shifting views on immunomodulation. These advances have overturned two long-held dogmas: (1) only adaptive immunity confers immunological memory; and, (2) innate immunity lacks specificity. This work describes the observation that innate immune effector cells appear to be differentially recruited to specific pathological sites when mobilized by distinct inactivated bacterial-based stimuli administered subcutaneously.

Novel Microbial-Based Immunotherapy Approach for Crohn's Disease.

Current Crohn's disease (CD) therapies focus on suppressing immune function and come with consequent risk, such as infection and cancer. Notwithstanding, most CD patients still experience disease progression. There is a need for new CD treatment strategies that offer better health outcomes for patients.

White paper on microbial anti-cancer therapy and prevention.

In this White Paper, we discuss the current state of microbial cancer therapy. This paper resulted from a meeting ('Microbial Based Cancer Therapy') at the US National Cancer Institute in the summer of 2017. Here, we define 'Microbial Therapy' to include both oncolytic viral therapy and bacterial anticancer therapy.

Harnessing innate lung anti-cancer effector functions with a novel bacterial-derived immunotherapy.

Acute infection is known to induce strong anti-tumor immune responses, but clinical translation has been hindered by the lack of an effective strategy to safely and consistently provoke a therapeutic response. These limitations are overcome with a novel treatment approach involving repeated subcutaneous delivery of a -derived investigational immunotherapeutic, QBKPN. In preclinical models of lung cancer, QBKPN administration consistently showed anti-cancer efficacy, which was dependent on pre-exposure, but was independent of adaptive immunity.

Attenuating immune pathology using a microbial-based intervention in a mouse model of cigarette smoke-induced lung inflammation.

Background: Cigarette smoke exposure is the major risk factor for developing COPD. Presently, available COPD treatments focus on suppressing inflammation and providing bronchodilation. However, these options have varying efficacy in controlling symptoms and do not reverse or limit the progression of COPD.

A novel microbe-based treatment that attenuates the inflammatory profile in a mouse model of allergic airway disease.

There is an unmet need for effective new and innovative treatments for asthma. It is becoming increasingly evident that bacterial stimulation can have beneficial effects at attenuating allergic airway disease through immune modulation. Our aim was to test the ability of a novel inactivated microbe-derived therapeutic based on Klebsiella (KB) in a model of allergic airway disease in mice.

Site-Specific Immunomodulator: A Novel Treatment for Crohn's Disease.

We investigated the mechanism of action, safety, and efficacy of the Site-Specific Immunomodulator (SSI) QBECO, a novel immunotherapy for Crohn's disease (CD). Using human monocytic THP-1 cells, we demonstrate that SSI QBECO (derived from the common colon bacteria E. coli) activates macrophages to an M1 phenotype (associated with enhanced capacity to eliminate bacteria and activate innate immune responses).

Seeking Mind, Body and Spirit Healing-Why Some Men with Prostate Cancer Choose CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) over Conventional Cancer Treatments.

Unlabelled: Little is known about men with prostate cancer who decline conventional treatment and use only complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).

Objectives: To 1) explore why men decline conventional prostate cancer treatment and use CAM 2) understand the role of holistic healing in their care, and 3) document their recommendations for health care providers.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews and follow-up focus groups.