Super-oncolytic virus

Scientists from Hokkaido University edited the genome of one of the adenoviruses, removing from it the E4orf6 gene, necessary for viral replication. Previously, researchers have found that this gene contributes to the stabilization of special mRNA structures (ARE-mRNA) that make viral replication possible in infected cells. It is known that these RNA sequences are stable in cancer and stress-prone cells, while in normal cells they degrade rapidly. The modified virus was named dl355.

The researchers infected several types of cultured cancer cells with the dl355 virus (100 viral particles per cell) and found that most of the cancer cells died within seven days, and the populations of normal cells, even being infected with the virus, after this time were practically not affected. Cells of some cancer lines demonstrated resistance to low doses of dl355, but all were exposed to high doses. In addition, dl355 was able to slow down tumor growth when the virus was injected into human tumor cells grown on mice.

Then the scientists compared the anti–cancer properties of dl355 and another modified adenovirus - dl1520, which is already used in clinical practice. Both viruses showed an equally high level of safety for normal cells, and in the case of cancer cells, the new virus was more effective: its replication level was higher than that of dl1520 in cells of all types of cancer, except one.

The data obtained indicate that dl355 can become an effective oncolytic agent. However, scientists emphasize that before it is possible to talk about the therapeutic use of the new virus, it is necessary to conduct a number of serious studies. According to scientists, at least five more years will pass before the start of clinical trials.

Article by Yanagawa-Matsuda et al. Oncolytic potential of an E4-deficient adenovirus that can recognize the stabilization of AU-rich element containing mRNA in cancer cells is published in Oncology Reports.

Anastasia Poznyak, portal "Eternal Youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru / based on materials from Hokkaido University: Engineering a cancer-fighting virus.