Jeddah, A groundbreaking study conducted at King Abdulaziz University has demonstrated the potential of genetically modified viruses to selectively target and destroy cancer cells, leaving healthy cells unharmed.
This approach leverages the natural ability of viruses to replicate inside cells. The modified viruses used in this study specifically target cancer cells, causing them to burst (lyse) and die. The treatment stimulates the body’s immune system to fight cancer in two ways: through the innate immune response (immediate defense) and the adaptive immune response (long-term defense).
The study focused on breast cancer, one of the most common cancers in women globally. It proposes this oncolytic immunotherapy as a new and promising strategy for treating this type of cancer.
The study investigated the potential of using a specific type of virus, called recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV) as a cancer-killing therapy. It further explored whether adding a molecule called interleukin-12 (hIL12) to
the virus (rVSV?M51) could enhance its effectiveness against tumors. It also examined how effectively these modified viruses targeted breast cancer cells.
The research successfully created and tested different variations of the virus using various techniques like genetic analysis, cell culture assays, and electron microscopy, and verified the presence of key proteins needed for the therapy’s function.
The study found that several cancer cell lines were susceptible to infection and destruction by the modified viruses (rVSV, rVSV?M51, and rVSV?M51-hIL12). Importantly, healthy cells were less susceptible to infection, demonstrating the therapy’s potential for targeting cancer specifically.
Furthermore, tests in mice with tumors showed that treatment with the modified viruses significantly slowed tumor growth and improved survival compared to untreated mice. The study also revealed that the hIL12-modified virus (rVSV?M51-hIL12) was particularly effective in stimulating the immune system’s natural killer cells
to fight cancer cells.
The research successfully demonstrates the potential of these bioengineered viruses as a new treatment for breast cancer. The findings pave the way for their development as a novel cancer vaccine platform, and for future studies aimed at bringing this innovative therapy to clinical trials for the benefit of breast cancer patients.
Source: Saudi Press Agency