The oncolytic properties of two newcastle disease virus strains

[摘要] English: Since the 1950's, several virus strains have been found to specifically infect and lyse humancarcinoma cells, while not causing serious side effects in the patient. However, the availabletechnology did not allow either sufficient characterization of, or research on these virusesuntil the development of molecular biology technology. We are now able to further explorethis subject with renewed hope of curing cancer.Newcastle Disease Virus (NOV) is a commonly occurring avian virus that is known not toinfect normal human cells or cause side effects other than mild conjunctivitis and laryngitis inhumans upon exposure to even the most virulent strains. Some NOV strains have beenshown to be oncolytic in recent studies. Much research remains to be done on the molecularmechanisms, selectivity and biochemical apoptotic pathways involved in this oncolyticmechanism.Two of the most commonly occurring cancers in South Africa are cervical and esophagealcancer.The aim of this study was to assess the oncolytic properties of the two NOV strains La Sotaand Texas GB in vitro (in cell culture) and in vivo (in an immune compromized mousemodel).In vitro results were promising: both strains were shown to be oncolytic, Texas GB moreaggressively than La Sota. Both strains were shown to induce apoptosis and polycaryocyteformation, which leads to necrosis, in both cervical and esophageal cancer cell lines'.In vivo, it was shown that intratumoural administration of either virus strain had either acarcinostatic effect, or caused reduction in tumour volume in cervical cancer tumours inimmune compromized mice. In some cases the results were temporary and in other casesthe treatment had a prolonged effect. This is probably due to leakage of the inoculation fromthe treatment site.The results were not statistically significant due to the small number of mice used in thestudy.These results warrant further evaluation of the oncolytic efficiency of the La Sota strain ofNDV in immune competent mice, other cancer types and in clinical trials.

[发布机构] University of the Free State