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A joint research team led by Professor Eijiro Miyako of the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST), in collaboration with Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd. and University of Tsukuba, has developed an immune-independent bacterial cancer therapy using a novel microbial consortium called AUN. AUN is composed of two naturally occurring bacteria: Proteus mirabilis (A-gyo), a tumor-resident microbe Rhodopseudomonas palustris (UN-gyo), a photosynthetic bacterium Working in perfect synergy, these AUN bacteria produce exceptional tumor eradication in both murine and human cancer models, even in immunocompromised environments—all without the help of immune cells. In this study, AUN exhibits transcendent antitumor effects through uniquely orchestrated bacterial mechanisms, including: Selective destruction of tumor vasculature and cancer cells Structural transformation of A-gyo (filamentation) triggered by tumor metabolites, enhancing its antitumor potency Functional optimization via intratumoral population shift—although the initial bacterial mixture is A-gyo : UN-gyo ≈ 3:97, it dramatically shifts to 99:1 within the tumor microenvironment Suppression of pathogenicity and minimization of side effects, including the avoidance of CRS Notably, UN-gyo functions as a regulatory partner only when coexisting with A-gyo, helping to suppress the pathogenicity of both strains while simultaneously enhancing their tumor-specific cytotoxicity. To accelerate the social implementation of this research, we are preparing to launch a startup and aim to begin clinical trials within six years," said Professor Eijiro Miyako, lead author of the study."