Modified herpes virus against neuroblastoma
Scientists at Cincinnati Children's Hospital (Ohio), working under the guidance of Dr. Timothy Cripe, have proposed a new method of therapy for poorly treatable solid tumors of the nervous system: neuroblastomas and peripheral nerve sheath tumors using a genetically modified virus that selectively suppresses the growth of tumor tissue.
In earlier studies, scientists have demonstrated that the herpes simplex oncolytic virus and similar viruses infect and destroy cancer cells without damaging the surrounding normal tissues and without causing diseases. The authors have integrated into the genome of the oncolytic herpes simplex virus an additional gene encoding a human protein – tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 3, TIMP3), which has antitumor properties. TIMP3 suppresses the activity of matrix metalloproteinase enzymes that promote tumor progression. These enzymes destroy the molecules of the intercellular matrix necessary to maintain the structure and normal development of cells and organs and tissue renewal. The imbalance in the activity of matrix metalloproteinases can lead to the formation of invasive and metastatic tumors, including neuroblastoma – the most common solid tumor of childhood.
The scientists named the therapeutic virus rQT3, which they created and has a double antitumor effect. In laboratory experiments on human tumor cell lines and mouse models of neuroblastoma and peripheral nerve sheath cancer, rQT3 suppressed the development of blood vessels in tumor tissue and caused the death of malignant cells. In addition, the administration of rQT3 prolonged the life of mice compared to control group animals undergoing other therapeutic procedures or receiving saline injections.
According to scientists, rQT3 also has a systemic effect – it suppresses the mobilization from the bone marrow and the attraction of progenitor cells, including endothelial cells, involved in the formation of the tumor microenvironment, to the tumor growth zone. The authors believe that their results indicate the need to continue active work in the field of antitumor treatment with therapeutic viruses.
The article by Yonatan Y. et al. "Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-3 via Oncolytic Herpesvirus Inhibits Tumor Growth and Vascular Progenitors" was published in the journal Cancer Research on February 15, 2008.
Portal "Eternal youth" www.vechnayamolodost.ru based on ACOR materials21.02.2008