The new virus destroys cancer cells but does not harm healthy cells

Scientists at Oxford University have succeeded in creating a virus that attacks and destroys cancer cells, but does not harm healthy cells. They have been able to replicate viruses that know how to remove toxic properties. This is the basis for developing cancer treatments, as well as the creation of viral vaccines.

Cell microRNA molecules regulate the stability of mRNA in different cell types; This newly discovered mechanism has provided the ability to arrange viruses to cause certain cells to cease to function according to human needs. A British scientist specializing in cancer research at Oxford University, UK, with the help of colleagues at Vrije Universiteit University, Amsterdam, reports that this approach can be used to correct the development of adenovirus.

Adenovirus is a DNA virus that is widely used in cancer treatment but causes liver disease in mice. Professor Len Seymour and colleagues discovered that inserting adenoviruses into virus-containing gene sequences that microRNA 122 could lead to a decrease in liver function of important viral mRNAs, thereby losing the ability to virus. Harmful to healthy cells, while retaining the tumor cells.

Viruses that kill tumors are a hot topic in the medical world, with many clinical trials conducted around the world. The success of Seymour's research has brought important information to human knowledge.

A common virus strain has been created to attack cancer cells without affecting healthy cells. (Photo: Oxford University)

'This approach is surprisingly effective and results in many useful results. It can show a range of applications in controlling the use of therapeutic viruses, not only in cancer research, but also in the creation of a new generation of vaccines, in which vaccine pathogens are disabled. effective, ' Professor Seymour said.

Current research is primarily aimed at exploring and demonstrating the potential of this new mechanism in regulating viral activity. Although the tumor-killing virus proved to be very useful in mice, the transfer of this technology to clinical trials in humans requires the correction of some viral characteristics to overcome the pathological characteristics of humans. Estimates take at least two years before the new method can be put into clinical trials.

The naturally occurring but modified viruses are widely used in medicine, including vaccine production, notably vaccines for measles, mumps, polio, flu and smallpox. Now we are developing with the potential to be a new cancer treatment.

References:
Cawood R, Chen HH, Carroll F, Bazan-Peregrino M, van Rooijen N, et al.Use of Tissue-Specific MicroRNA to Control Pathology of Wild-Type Adenovirus without Attenuation of Its Ability to Kill Cancer Cells.PLoS Pathog, 5 (5): e1000440 DOI: 10.1371 / journal.ppat.1000440