Targeting Intratumoral Bacteria for Cancer Nanotherapeutics

Intratumoral microbiota has emerged as a key modulator of cancer progression and therapeutic response, significantly influencing treatment outcomes. Although conventional microbiome-modulating approaches such as antibiotic administration can enhance cancer treatment efficacy, they frequently lead to inconsistent therapeutic results and disrupt beneficial microbial communities. Nanotechnology, with its capacity for precise interactions at microscopic and molecular scales, offers a promising solution for selectively regulating tumor-associated microbiota and reshaping the tumor microenvironment. This review elucidates current knowledge by conducting a comprehensive analysis of the literature, with a focus on classifying the antibacterial mechanisms of nanotechnology against intratumoral bacteria into physical, chemical, and biological modalities, and further discusses the precision design of nanomaterials, therapeutic outcomes, and antimicrobial mechanisms within each modality. Furthermore, we discuss challenges in precise targeting and safety, examine the translational progress of nanotechnology-based antimicrobial strategies, and propose future directions for research and clinical application.