Summary
The work is still experimental. But it is a key step forward in the science of redirecting or retargeting a virus through genetic engineering. Retargeted measles virus can recognize surface molecules found only on cancerous cells, allowing selective killing. In this way, retargeted cancer-killing viruses help the body, rather than harming it as natural viruses do when they infect cells.
In the current issue of the Journal of Virology, http://jvi.asm.org/ the researchers describe how they invented a way to engineer an alternative outer covering ( coat ) for the virus, using pieces from an animal virus that cannot infect humans.
"Our group's perspective is to exchange pieces on the envelope, the viral coat, with the pieces from the coat of a related virus that has no known relatives that can infect humans," says Roberto Cattaneo, Ph.D., lead researcher and an internationally recognized pioneer in viral targeting technology. "If we can modify the virus and take parts from the Tupaia paramyxovirus ( the shrew virus ) and put them on the measles virus, then we have a virus in stealth. It will not be recognized by the immune system because it's disguised in another coat -- and that way we can get the virus past the immune system."
Significance of the Research
A different Mayo Clinic research team was the first to engineer a measles virus retargeted at the cell entry level and reported on this earlier this year. The current investigation takes the technology a step closer to being useful to human patients by paving the way to get the retargeted measles virus past the immune system so it can actually reach the tumor and destroy it.
Background and Next Steps
Viruses are parasites. They:
attach to, or penetrate a partner on the target cell
fuse membranes to enter the target cell
commandeer the cellular machinery to produce more virus
modulate or control the host immune response
While the stealth approach works, there's a problem -- the disguise works only once because a healthy immune system is so good at its job, it makes antibodies against the modified viral coat and won't be tricked twice. But researchers at Mayo are designing alternative disguises.
"That means we'll have to make another coat to disguise it again, and we have already identified candidate animal viruses that can help us do that, which means we have the prospect of using the same retargeted measles virus with different coats," says Dr. Cattaneo.
Noting that safety is of utmost priority, Dr. Cattaneo stresses that multiple safeguards prevent the unintended creation of a super virus capable of causing a new human disease.
"With this paper we really make the point that there is an untapped resource in the form of animal viruses that can be used as a source of modules that can be combined with human viruses to evade the immune system," Dr. Cattaneo says. "Our lab can do this safely because we have quite an elaborate safety system -- four levels of specificity -- that block, interfere and provide an emergency brake to a virus' ability to spread in normal human cells and cause illness."
Original source:
http://www.i-newswire.com/pr39647.html
Details
- Mayo Clinic collaboration invents "virus in stealth" to help kill cancer cells (press release)
Related Articles
• There Is No Such Thing as the West Nile Virus
• Why the bird flu virus is less deadly but more dangerous
• Timeline: World History of Viral Pandemics: 412BC to 2009
• Engineering Warfare: A Close Look at Biological and Chemical Warfare
• Bird flu timeline: A history of influenza from 412 BC – AD 2006
• Swine Flu Smoking Gun? CDC was Combining Flu Viruses in 2004
 |
Popular Topics:
Virus, Cancer cells, Cancer, Diabetes, Breast cancer, Prostate cancer, Heart disease, Depression, High cholesterol, Osteoporosis, Vaccines, Autism, ADHD, Infertility, Weight loss, Cancer, Alzheimer's, Trans fats, Acrylamides, Fluoride, Mercury |
Take Action: Support NaturalNews.com
Email this article to a friend
Share this article on: NewsVine | digg | del.icio.us
Permalink to this article: http://www.naturalnews.com/010621_virus_cancer_cells.html
Reprinting this article: Non-commercial use OK, cite NaturalNews.com with clickable link.
|
 |
 |
Receive our Natural Health Newsletter for FREE
Subscribe now (it's free!) to win. We randomly choose a subscriber each month to send $100 in eco-home products or a RealGoods.com gift certificate (our choice). Plus, you'll receive FREE news, articles and action alerts from NaturalNews.com editors and join over 800,000 monthly readers who report extraordinary health improvements after becoming a subscriber!
- Receive breaking news alerts on natural health solutions, renewable energy, the environment, global warming and more.
- Receive a free instant download of our $29 Secret Sources guide that reveals top sources for little-known health and diet solutions.
|
|
 |
 |
Recommended Special Report:
Seven Words that can Change the World
by Joseph R. Simonetta
Read this special report now...
"Seven Words That Can Change the World reveals the astonishing, simple truths that have the power to forever transform our world for the better while freeing our minds from the enslavement of limiting beliefs. This is not a text for the simple-minded; it is a guiding philosophy for the mindful, intelligent few who are wise enough to seek out -- and recognize -- the higher simplicities of truly purposeful living." - Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, editor of NaturalNews.com
|
More on NaturalNews.com:
• Streaming Health Ranger Videos
• CounterThink Cartoons
• FREE Special Reports
• Podcasts
|
 |
|
 |
 |
NEW 6-CD audio set reveals amazing new protocol for reversing cancer, diabetes, obesity, heart disease and more. Click to learn more. |
 |
Own the first 8 Health Ranger Report audio programs on 6 CDs. Covers weight loss, ADHD, vaccinations, processed meats, bone health and more. Click to learn more. |
Featured Videos
Short clip on Aspartame
A short clip on aspartame from the documentary All Jacked Up.
Click here to view now...
Exclusive video on Aspartame
The dangers of aspartame! Exclusive interview footage from Cori Brackett of Sweet Remedy.
Click here to view now...
Exclusive Footage from All Jacked Up!
See interview footage featuring the Health Ranger in the upcoming junk food film, All Jacked Up.
Click here to view now...
Drug Ad Parody
See the Health Ranger's satire parody of Merck's cholesterol drug ad.
Click here to view now... |
More doctors prefer the AK-Vaccine-47 rifle by Merck
Komen Smokes pink ribbon cigarettes
If bumper stickers reflected the way people really think
 |
|
Read recommendations on supplement companies, health food manufacturers and personal care product makers that you can trust. Our 100% independent review list tells you who to trust and who to avoid in the natural health industry. Click to read. |
|