Limiting Cancer Metabolism Could Make Oncolytic Viruses More Effective in Attacking Tumors

November 29, 2018

Limiting the ability of cancer cells to metabolize sugar could make oncolytic viruses more effective in attacking them, suggests a study published today in the newspaper. Research against cancer.

Viruses that attack cancer cells – called oncolytic viruses – can kill tumors without affecting healthy cells nearby. They normally act by invading cells, multiplying and destroying the tumor from within. They are currently undergoing clinical trials.

In this new study, a team of scientists exposed lung, ovarian and colon cancer cells, as well as mouse models, to conditions similar to those of the human body, and studied how the manipulation of Cell metabolism can make cancer more vulnerable to oncolytic viruses.

In the laboratory, scientists usually keep the cells at the ideal temperature and provide them with a lot of glucose, because it is easier to grow and store in this way. In this study, the researchers changed the laboratory conditions to reflect what is really happening in the human body, where sugar levels are much lower.

They found that oncolytic viruses worked better when less glucose was available. The researchers then used a drug to limit the ability of cancer cells to metabolize sugar – its source of energy – to see if this maximized the cancer's ability to treat the virus. They found that reducing sugar levels allowed the virus to multiply much faster, making the treatment more effective and destroying cancer faster.

Arthur Dyer, senior author and doctoral student funded by Cancer Research UK at the University of Oxford, said: "Our laboratory research has shown that reducing the amount of sugar available to cancer cells improves the effectiveness of these oncolytic cancer-fighting viruses We, I already know that this virus is effective against cancer – and this sugar-free technique is a way to improve it even more. "

This approach can also improve how potential anticancer drugs are studied in the laboratory.

Arthur Dyer added: "When studying any type of drug in the lab, we store the cells under conditions that are very high in sugar, which is like dipping them in Lucozade." it does not reflect the conditions under which these cells would be exposed. " the body, which is normally much poorer – in case of cancer, it is even worse because of insufficient circulation of tumors. Our approach is more realistic by mimicking the conditions of the human body, which can help us better predict the reactions of patients. well before any tests are planned. "

However, the researchers warned that their initial findings should not be misinterpreted by patients seeking to optimize treatments.

Professor Len Seymour, author of a study funded by Cancer Research UK of the University of Oxford, explains: "It's important to remember that changing one's diet is not enough to starve cells Many people think that carbohydrates are bad, but that's not the case, we need them, and cutting the sugar will not cure the cancer because cancer engulfs glucose so quickly, the cells are very vulnerable to the attack of a drug that targets the sugar route, sugar from your diet. "

Dr. David Scott, director of cancer discovery research at Cancer Research UK, said: "By optimizing the efficacy of treatments, we hope that patients can achieve positive results faster than before. next step is to check if this approach is effective in clinical trials and to find out which cancers are best. "

The goal of the team is to test, in clinical trials, the glucose-limiting approach used to improve the treatment of oncolytic virus to determine if it could be successfully implemented in cancer patients. A flawless stay