CANCER RESEARCH UK scientists have tamed a virus so that it attacks and destroys cancer cells but does not harm healthy cells, according to a paper published in PLoS Pathogens*.
Scientists based at the University of Oxford modified a common virus – called an adenovirus – so that it could deliver vital genetic therapy to destroy tumours without poisoning the liver. The changes enabled the virus to keeps its natural ‘infectious’ characteristics to replicate in – and kill – cancer cells in mice. But for the first time the virus is also recognised and destroyed by healthy mouse liver cells, so it is no longer toxic**.
Adenoviruses have been used as cancer therapies in clinical trials in the UK but have not yet been licensed. To date the viruses have always been converted to a weakened form so they don’t cause organ damage. This is achieved by deleting parts of the virus’ genetic information. In this research the scientists have for the first time modified a virus so that it cannot replicate in the liver and cause liver damage, allowing the virus to be used at full strength and to maximum effect.
Lead author, Professor Leonard Seymour, a Cancer Research UK scientist, based at the University of Oxford, said: “The approach we developed is easy to use and flexible. It may help in the development of future therapeutic viruses that are specific to certain disease sites. This modified virus was effective in these laboratory studies, but transfer of the technology to the clinic to be used with patients will require further work – and it will probably be at least two years before this can happen.”
Modified naturally-occurring viruses have already had important uses in medicine including their use as vaccines, notably for measles, mumps, polio, influenza, and chicken pox. They have already been developed as potential cancer-killing therapies, in an approach called virotherapy.
Dr Lesley Walker, Cancer Research UK’s director of cancer information, said: “Decades of research has already led to the development of new and exciting approaches to treating cancer in a more targeted and efficient way.
“The ability to produce viruses that can replicate in cells but have any harmful characteristics removed so they are no longer lethal should provide a new platform for development of improved cancer treatments – as well as better vaccines for a broad range of viral diseases.”
ENDS
For media enquiries please contact the press office on 020 7061 8300 or, out-of-hours, the duty press officer on 07050 264 059.
References
Cawood, R., Chen, H., Carroll, F., Bazan-Peregrino, M., van Rooijen, N., & Seymour, L. (2009). Use of Tissue-Specific MicroRNA to Control Pathology of Wild-Type Adenovirus without Attenuation of Its Ability to Kill Cancer Cells PLoS Pathogens, 5 (5) DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1000440
ENDS
*Leonard Seymour. Use of tissue-specific microRNA to control pathology of wild-type adenovirus without attenuation of its ability to kill cancer cells. PLoS Pathogens.
**The scientists made the modifications by incorporating binding sites for a type of regulatory molecule called microRNA into the virus’s DNA.
MicroRNA is slowly emerging as a key player in how cells control their internal reactions. A particular microRNA called mir-122 is known to regulate reactions inside liver cells.
The researchers reasoned that, by inserting binding sites for mir-122 into the virus’s DNA, the virus wouldn’t be able to reproduce inside the liver cell, rendering it effectively harmless.
They found that the addition of four separate mir-122 binding sites to the virus’s DNA decreased replication of the virus 50-fold, and -crucially – didn’t cause liver damage.
About Cancer Research UK
- Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer Research UK’s vision is to beat cancer.
- Cancer Research UK carries out world-class research to improve understanding of the disease and find out how to prevent, diagnose and treat different kinds of cancer.
- Cancer Research UK ensures that its findings are used to improve the lives of all cancer patients.
- Cancer Research UK helps people to understand cancer, the progress that is being made and the choices each person can make.
- Cancer Research UK works in partnership with others to achieve the greatest impact in the global fight against cancer.
- For further information about Cancer Research UK’s work or to find out how to support the charity, please call 020 7121 6699 or visit our homepage.
Oxford University’s Medical Sciences Division is one of the largest biomedical research centres in Europe. It represents almost one-third of Oxford University’s income and expenditure, and two-thirds of its external research income. Oxford’s world-renowned global health programme is a leader in the fight against infectious diseases (such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and avian flu) and other prevalent diseases (such as cancer, stroke, heart disease and diabetes). Key to its success is a long-standing network of dedicated Wellcome Trust-funded research units in Asia (Thailand, Laos and Vietnam) and Kenya, and work at the MRC Unit in The Gambia. Long-term studies of patients around the world are supported by basic science at Oxford and have led to many exciting developments, including potential vaccines for tuberculosis, malaria and HIV, which are in clinical trials.
