Novel cancer therapy using microRNA-regulated oncolytic viruses targeting cancer stem cells

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24300340
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Partial Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Clinical oncology
• Research Institution: Tottori University
• Principal Investigator: Nakamura Takafumi 鳥取大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 准教授 (70432911)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 癌 / ウイルス療法 / トランスレーショナルリサ ーチ / 遺伝子治療 / バイオテクノロジー

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Oncolytic viruses are promising therapeutic agents for cancer and are currently under clinical investigation. The virotherapy is novel strategy that viruses infect and replicate within tumor cells, directly lysing and killing them.
In this study, we have developed that microRNA (miRNA) regulation enables tumor-specific viral replication by altering the expression of a targeted viral gene of an attenuated vaccinia virus vaccine strain. We used miRNA-based gene regulation to suppress B5R expression through let-7, a miRNA that plays important roles in cancer stem cells through the downregulation of let-7 expression. The miRNA-regulated vaccinia virus (MDVV) achieved efficient viral replication and oncolysis in cancer cells, but elimination of unwanted replication and associated toxicity in normal cells in vivo. Furthermore, the MDVV armed with IL-12 enhanced its anti-tumor effects.

Free Research Field

腫瘍治療学