We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
LGC Clinical Diagnostics

Download Mobile App




Innovative “Viro-Immunotherapy” Designed to Kill Breast Cancer Cells

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 21 Jan 2015
Print article
Image: Cancer cells infected with tumor-targeted oncolytic virus (red). Green indicates alpha-tubulin, a cell skeleton protein. Blue is DNA in the cancer cell nuclei (Photo courtesy of Dr. Rathi Gangeswaran, Bart’s Cancer Institute).
Image: Cancer cells infected with tumor-targeted oncolytic virus (red). Green indicates alpha-tubulin, a cell skeleton protein. Blue is DNA in the cancer cell nuclei (Photo courtesy of Dr. Rathi Gangeswaran, Bart’s Cancer Institute).
A leading scientist has devised a new treatment that employs viruses to kill breast cancer cells. The research could lead to a promising “viro-immunotherapy” for patients with triple-negative breast cancer, an aggressive type of the disease that currently has no targeted treatment options.

Approximately15% of breast tumors are found to be triple-negative, an especially aggressive type of the disease that is more likely to spread to other areas of the body than other types. Triple-negative breast cancer lacks the three molecules which are used to classify breast cancers, meaning it cannot be treated with targeted drugs commonly used to treat other types of breast cancer, such as tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors for estrogen receptor (ER)- and progesterone receptor (PR)-positive breast cancer, or herceptin for HER2-positive breast cancer.

Dr. Yaohe Wang, from Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London (UK), believes that the way viruses attack the body could be utilized to develop a breast cancer treatment he calls viro-immunotherapy.

When viruses attack the body, they locate and infect specific cells to reproduce, which ultimately kills the cell. Dr. Wang has engineered viruses which specifically target and kill cancer cells. This also has the twice the effect of engaging the immune system to kill any other cancer cells, which could prevent the cancer coming back or spreading throughout the body after treatment.

With about GBP 200,000 funding from research charity Breast Cancer Campaign (London, UK), Dr. Wang will engineer viruses he has earlier developed to treat other cancers. These viruses include genes which make proteins that are typically found on the surface of triple-negative breast cancer cells, so making this viro-immunotherapy specific for triple-negative breast cancer.

Katherine Woods, research communications manager at Breast Cancer Campaign, stated, “More than 7,500 women in the United Kingdom alone are diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer every year, and there is no targeted treatment available for them. These women are left with very few treatment options, namely chemotherapy in addition to surgery or radiotherapy, and therefore it is essential we find new ways to treat this aggressive type of the disease. Dr. Wang’s pioneering research could lead to an effective and safe viro-immunotherapy treatment for triple-negative breast cancers, providing a much-needed new option to treat this form of the disease. This could ultimately save thousands of lives and bring us closer to our goal that by 2025, improved and more personalized treatments will reduce mortality from breast cancer by half.”

Dr. Wang will start the three-year project by developing the custom-made viruses, after which they will be tested on lab-grown triple-negative breast cancer cells, as well as mice implanted with triple-negative breast cancer cells.

Related Links:

Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London


Gold Member
Blood Gas Analyzer
GEM Premier 7000 with iQM3
Unit-Dose Packaging solution
HLX
New
Urine Collection Container
Urine Monovette
New
Chlamydia Test Kit
CHLAMYTOP

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: The new saliva-based test for heart failure measures two biomarkers in about 15 minutes (Photo courtesy of Trey Pittman)

POC Saliva Testing Device Predicts Heart Failure in 15 Minutes

Heart failure is a serious condition where the heart muscle is unable to pump sufficient oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. It ranks as a major cause of death globally and is particularly fatal for... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The bowel cancer breakthrough could result in better treatment outcomes (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

New RNA Molecules Can Help Predict Bowel Cancer Return Recurrence

Colorectal cancer accounts for 10% of all cancer-related deaths worldwide and was ranked as the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States in 2022. Currently, clinicians face diagnostic... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: QScout CBC will give a complete blood count in 2 minutes from fingerstick or venous blood (Photo courtesy of Ad Astra Diagnostics)

Next Gen CBC and Sepsis Diagnostic System Targets Faster, Earlier, Easier Results

Every hour is critical in protecting patients from infections, yet there are currently limited tools to assist in early diagnosis before patients reach a hospital. The complete blood count (CBC) is a common... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The InfectoSynovia test has the potential to revolutionize the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

High-Accuracy Bedside Test to Diagnose Periprosthetic Joint Infection in Five Minutes

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) represents a significant global issue that is worsening as the number of joint replacements increases due to aging populations. In the United States alone, the anticipated... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image

AI-Based Method Shows Promise for Pathological Diagnosis of Hereditary Kidney Diseases

Alport syndrome is a hereditary kidney disorder characterized by kidney dysfunction, sensorineural hearing loss, and ocular abnormalities. Early in the disease, patients experience hematuria, which is... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.