Prevention and treatment of cancers by tumor antigen-expressing <i>Staphylococcus epidermidis</i>

In a recent paper in Science, Chen et al. reported the genetic engineering of S. epidermidis expressing tumor cross-reactive antigens that trigger T cell responses and exhibit anticancer effects after topical administration. Here we discuss direct local effects and indirect systemic effects of exposure to engineered S. epidermidis strains.