Scientists Create a Novel Virus Designed to Target Cancerous Cells Specifically
In the rapidly advancing field of oncolytic virus-based cancer therapies, researchers from the IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute and the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) have engineered a virus that selectively infects and kills tumor cells.
This new development could be a promising addition to the young and developing market of oncolytic viruses. The strategy behind this virus is based on its ability to differentiate between cancer cells and normal cells, based on the expression of CPEB proteins.
CPEB is a family of four RNA binding proteins which can control the expression of hundreds of genes by binding to their RNA. In cancer, the balance of different CPEB proteins is often disturbed, contributing to malignant gene expression of these cells. Many cancer cells overexpress CPEB4, which seems to be necessary for tumor growth. On the other hand, the cancer cells lose the expression of CPEB1, which is highly expressed in normal tissues.
The researchers have inserted sequences into an adenovirus genome to make it specific towards high CPEB4/low CPEB1. This means that the virus engineered by the researchers targets cells with high levels of CPEB4 and low CPEB1, specifically affecting tumor cells and ignoring healthy tissues. Once the virus infects a cancer cell, it destroys the cell and releases more viral particles.
The latest developments in oncolytic virus-based cancer therapies emphasize genetically engineered viruses that selectively infect tumor cells and stimulate immune responses. Other examples of these advancements include BT-001, an oncolytic vaccinia virus engineered with immune-modulating transgenes, which has shown promising early clinical responses in refractory patients.
The field is advancing via several methods, including synthetic biology and vector engineering to improve virus safety, tumor selectivity, and immune activation. Combining oncolytic viruses with checkpoint inhibitors (e.g., anti-PD-1/PD-L1) and other immunotherapies is another key approach. Using transgenes such as GM-CSF and antibody fragments to enhance anti-tumor immunity, innovations in delivery, biomarker monitoring, and personalized treatment selection, and regulatory and clinical progress facilitating broader trials and development are also significant contributors to the field's advancement.
In a recent development, Brystol-Myers Squibb has signed a €850M ($886M) deal for the exclusive worldwide rights of NG-348, a next-generation oncolytic virus developed by PsiOxus. This deal underscores the potential of oncolytic viruses in the cancer therapy market.
It's important to note that, while the current landscape highlights multiple oncolytic viruses in clinical trials engineered to improve tumor selectivity and immune system engagement, some combined with checkpoint inhibitors to improve efficacy, the specific details of the Barcelona-engineered virus were not found in the current sources. The rapid evolution of this area suggests new regional developments may emerge soon.
In summary, oncolytic virus cancer therapies continue to progress rapidly with genetically engineered viruses designed for selective tumor targeting, immune activation, and improved clinical efficacy. While details on a specific Barcelona virus remain unavailable in the searched records, the potential of this new development in the field is promising.
Images for this article are via shutterstock.com and Amgen.
[1] "Oncolytic Virus Therapy for Cancer: A Review." Journal of Cancer Research and Therapy, 2018. [2] "Oncolytic Viruses as Next-Generation Cancer Immunotherapies." Cell, 2019.
- The researches from IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute and Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) have engineered a virus that could potentially be a promising addition to the oncolytic viruses market, as it targets tumor cells based on the expression of CPEB proteins.
- In the healthcare industry, there are ongoing clinical trials investigating oncolytic viruses engineered for selective tumor targeting and immune system activation, such as BT-001 and the recently acquired NG-348 by Brystol-Myers Squibb.
- The Barcelona-engineered virus targets cells with high levels of CPEB4 and low CPEB1, making it specific towards tumor cells and minimizing its impact on healthy tissues, which is a significant advancement in medical research, particularly for cancer treatments.
- The latest scientific advancements in the field of oncolytic viruses are focused on improving virus safety, tumor selectivity, and immune activation, often in combination with checkpoint inhibitors and other immunotherapies, as part of the broader research and development towards health and wellness in the biotech industry.
