Experts from the molecular virology laboratory at Sechenov University, affiliated with the Russian Ministry of Health, tested vesicular stomatitis, Newcastle disease and myxoma viruses in the fight against cancer. For this purpose, viruses were specially weakened. Sechenov University told socialbites.ca that the use of these oncolytic viruses will make it possible to create more effective methods of treating cancer with minimal side effects.
Oncolytic viruses have the ability to infect and destroy cancer cells. The first experiments in treating cancer with such methods began in the 1960s. However, in the past, the use of viruses caused serious immune reactions in the body. Modern technologies have made it possible to modify pathogens, making them safe for humans.
Researchers attenuated vesicular stomatitis, Newcastle disease (avian virus) and myxoma (rabbit virus) viruses. It was administered to mice with an aggressive form of melanoma that metastasizes rapidly. Observation of experimental rodents for a month showed that the molecular stomatitis virus slowed the development of primary and secondary tumors by 50% compared to animals that did not receive experimental treatment.
Other viruses also prevented cancer from developing, although less effectively. Additionally, the viral therapy helped the mice maintain their activity and appetite.
“Almost any virus can be adapted to affect cancer cells. In cancer treatment, oncolytic viruses can play both an independent agent and a carrier role for therapeutic molecules. The virus multiplies in cancer cells and destroys them, and special proteins block some receptors on the surface of tumor cells, making the tumor cells invisible to the body.” “and thus enables the patient to fight the disease by activating his own immune system.” he told Gazeta. .Ru Alexander Malogolovkin, Head of the Laboratory of Molecular Virology at Sechenov University.
It is important that oncolytic viruses cannot multiply in healthy cells, so this type of treatment will have much less pronounced side effects than chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which destroy both the tumor and healthy cells.
The study was carried out within the framework of the strategic and academic leadership program “Priority 2030” together with researchers from RUDN University and the Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology.