Researchers from a molecular virology laboratory at Sechenov University, which operates under the Russian health system, conducted studies on vesicular stomatitis, Newcastle disease and myxoma viruses to explore new cancer therapies. The viruses were deliberately weakened to reduce risk, and Sechenov University stated that this approach could lead to safer, more effective cancer treatments with fewer side effects.
Oncolytic viruses have the capability to infect and selectively kill cancer cells. Early attempts to use such viruses for cancer therapy date back to the 1960s, but initial efforts encountered significant immune reactions. Advances in biotechnology now allow precise modifications to make these pathogens tolerable for patients, enabling broader therapeutic use.
In the reported work, vesicular stomatitis virus, Newcastle disease virus (an avian pathogen), and myxoma virus (from rabbits) were attenuated and tested in vivo. The experimental model used mice with an aggressive, rapidly metastatic form of melanoma. After a month of observation, treated animals showed slowed tumor growth in both primary tumors and metastases, with roughly a 50 percent reduction compared to untreated controls.
Other viruses were also examined for anti-cancer activity, though their effects varied. The therapy also appeared to support overall vitality in the mice, helping to maintain activity and appetite during the course of the study.
Experts emphasized that oncolytic viruses can be tailored to target cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. In cancer therapy, these viruses may act as primary treatment or serve as carriers for additional therapeutic molecules. The virus can replicate within malignant cells, causing their destruction. In some strategies, viral proteins are used to alter tumor cell surfaces, increasing visibility to the immune system and helping the patient mount an effective response to the disease. These insights are attributed to Alexander Malogolovkin, head of the Laboratory of Molecular Virology at Sechenov University, as reported in contemporary research updates. [1]
Crucially, oncolytic virotherapy is designed to minimize impact on healthy cells, which can translate into substantially fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy or radiotherapy, both of which may harm normal tissues alongside cancerous ones.
The work for this study was undertaken under a strategic collaboration that includes the Priority 2030 program and partnerships with RUDN University as well as the Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology, reflecting a coordinated effort to advance viral therapies in cancer care. [2]