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LONDON (Reuters) – British scientists at Oxford University have developed a genetically engineered virus that kills cancer cells, which attacks healthy tumors and cells called fibroblasts, which have been "deceived." "to protect cancer from the immune system. "It can also destroy bone marrow and existing skin.
This is the first time that cancer-associated fibroblasts are targeted in tumors, the researchers said.
"Even when most cancer cells are killed, fibroblasts can protect the residual parts of the cancer and help them recover and spread," said Dr. Kerry Fisher of the University Oncology Department. from Oxford, who led the study. "Until now, there was no way to kill, they are both cancer cells and fibroblasts that protect them at the same time without harming the rest of the body, and our new method of targeting fibroblasts at the same time when the elimination of cancer cells from the virus is an important step to reduce the suppression of the immune system and give it the opportunity to start the process of natural immunity.
The virus, called Enadenotucirev, is currently used in clinical trials to treat cancers that start in the pancreas, colon, lungs, breasts, ovaries or prostate.
Scientists associate the virus with a bi-specific developer, which binds to fibroblasts, while the other binds to T cells, a type of immune cell responsible for destroying defective cells. This link resulted in the killing of fibroblasts associated with tumors.
"This innovative viral delivery system targeting both cancer and surrounding protective tissue can improve outcomes in patients whose cancer is resistant to current treatment," said Dr. Nathan Richardson, President of the Division of Medicine. molecular and molecular medical research council (MRC).
The researchers tested the treatment on mice and human cancer samples, on healthy human bone marrow samples, and discovered that they did not cause any toxicity.
If more security tests succeed, the virus can be tested on cancer patients next year.
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