Solution
Solution: CancerPhage!
Our CancerPhages are created by using a CRISPR-Cas9​ complex to genetically modify bacteriophages. It is unlike any other existing cancer treatment because it will specifically target the cancer cells of the patient, leaving healthy cells unharmed. The treatment is effective even after the cancer cells have metastasized because the CancerPhages can travel throughout the body.
Future Technology
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Instead of targeting bacteria, we will modify the phages' receptors to recognize a CCK-C receptor or other unique markers found only on the surface of pancreatic cancer cells.
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The phages will reproduce inside of the cancer cell until no more cancer cells remain.
Our Prototype
A CancerPhage sits on top of a cancer cell.
We will use CRISPR to modify the bacteriophage's receptors to target cancer cells.
The cancer cell lyses and dies after releasing more CancerPhages.
A CancerPhage sits on top of a cancer cell.
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Our Process:
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​DNA Sequencing:
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Collect a sample of DNA from the patient’s tumor.
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Sequence DNA and compare the sequence to healthy DNA.
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Compare tumor and healthy DNA to identify a sequence that is associated with surface cell receptors unique to pancreatic cancer.
How it works:​
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CancerPhages need to grow and reproduce inside a host cell.
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The host cell will contain donor plasmid with the sequence for pancreatic cancer cell receptors.
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The phage injects its DNA into the host bacterial cell.
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CRISPR-Cas9 will modify the phage’s DNA. It will cut the sequence that targets bacterial cells and replace it with the sequence for pancreatic cancer cells.
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The new phages generated inside the host cell will now contain the modified DNA instead of the original phage’s DNA. These are our CancerPhages.
​CancerPhage Manufacturing
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Grow bacterial host cells in a small fermenter.
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Add unmodified phages to the fermenter to infect the host cells and produce CancerPhages.
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The CancerPhages will be separated from the bacteria using a centrifuge. The CancerPhages will be purified to remove impurities.
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The CancerPhages are now ready to be delivered to the patient!
Patient Administration Process:
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The CancerPhages will be administered intravenously via injection.
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They will travel through the veins throughout the body and to the pancreas.
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The CancerPhages will identify pancreatic cancer cells and use them as a host to reproduce. The cancer cell will lyse, releasing the new CancerPhages and killing the cell.
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This process will continue until no more cancer cells remain.
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When all the cancer cells are eliminated, the CancerPhages will die off as they no longer have a host to survive in. The patient is now cured of pancreatic cancer!
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