Adenoviruses and the immune system join forces against cancer
Source: www.eurekalert.org
Author: IDIBELL-BELLVITGE BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Researchers of the Cancer Virotherapy Research Group of Bellvitge Biomedicine Research Institute (IDIBELL), led by Dr. Ramon Alemany, have developed an oncolytic virus capable of redirecting the patient's immune system against their tumor cells. Their work, published in the Cancer Research journal, may lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies for several types of cancer.
"We work with oncolytic adenoviruses, viruses that are modified to exclusively attack cancer cells without attacking normal tissue, like a targeted therapy", explains Carlos Fajardo, lead author of the study. Adenoviruses are a family of viruses that can cause colds, conjunctivitis or gastroenteritis. However, these viruses, once modified to acquire selectivity towards tumor cells, have great potential to be used as cancer therapy.