A study published in the journal Nature Communications has found that a modified form of poliovirus can be used as a cancer vaccine to treat pediatric brain tumors.
The study conducted on mice by the researchers of the Duke Cancer Institute showed that this modified form of poliovirus could be used as a therapy for glioblastoma brain tumors.
The researchers conducted preclinical studies using mice and human cancer cells. They injected polio-rhinovirus chimera (PVSRIPO), a modified poliovirus, in mice and found that it provoked an immune response, which targeted mutated cancer cells that override in glioma tumors. Glioma tumors in children could be dangerous.
They described how the modified PVSRIPO expresses a mutate tumor antigen found in glioma. They also described how it was able to infect and induce dendritic cell activity.
Dendritic cell targets and attacks tumor cells, delaying tumor growth and enhancing survival in animal studies. However, the activity of dendritic cells can be difficult to control.
Senior study author Dr. Matthias Gromeier said, “Polioviruses have several advantages for generating antigen-specific CD8 T-cells as a potential cancer vaccine vector.”
“They have naturally evolved to have a relationship with the human immune system, activating dendritic cells, inducing CD8 T-cell immunity and eliciting inflammation. As a result, they lack interference with innate or adaptive immunity,” added Dr. Gromeier.
The author said the approach of using modified poliovirus as a cancer vaccine continues to be tested with a goal to initiate trials in humans.
“We are hopeful that this approach could be tested as a potential therapy for DMG tumors, which exact a terrible burden on children and their families,” said Dr. Gromeier.
