Differential In Vitro Growth and Cell Killing of Cancer versus Benign Prostate Cells by Oncolytic Parainfluenza Virus

Cancer therapy with the viral and bacterial pathogens: The past enemies can be considered the present allies

Cancer continues to be one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide despite significant advancements in cancer treatment. Many difficulties have arisen as a result of the detrimental consequences of chemotherapy and radiotherapy as a common cancer therapy, such as drug inability to penetrate deep tumor tissue, and also the drug resistance in tumor cells continues to be a major concern. These obstacles have increased the need for the development of new techniques that are more selective and effective against cancer cells. Bacterial-based therapies and the use of oncolytic viruses can suppress cancer in comparison to other cancer medications. The tumor microenvironment is susceptible to bacterial accumulation and proliferation, which can trigger immune responses against the tumor. Oncolytic viruses (OVs) have also gained considerable attention in recent years because of their potential capability to selectively target and induce apoptosis in cancer cells. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the latest literature on the role of bacteria and viruses in cancer treatment, discusses the limitations and challenges, outlines various strategies, summarizes recent preclinical and clinical trials, and emphasizes the importance of optimizing current strategies for better clinical outcomes.

Molecular biology of canine parainfluenza virus V protein and its potential applications in tumor immunotherapy

Canine parainfluenza virus (CPIV) is a zoonotic virus that is widely distributed and is the main pathogen causing canine infectious respiratory disease (CIRD), also known as "kennel cough," in dogs. The CPIV-V protein is the only nonstructural protein of the virus and plays an important role in multiple stages of the virus life cycle by inhibiting apoptosis, altering the host cell cycle and interfering with the interferon response. In addition, studies have shown that the V protein has potential applications in the field of immunotherapy in oncolytic virus therapy or self-amplifying RNA vaccines. In this review, the biosynthesis, structural characteristics and functions of the CPIV-V protein are reviewed with an emphasis on how it facilitates viral immune escape and its potential applications in the field of immunotherapy. Therefore, this review provides a scientific basis for research into the CPIV-V protein and its potential applications.

The power of mumps virus: Matrix protein activates apoptotic pathways in human colorectal cell lines

New therapeutic approaches can significantly impact the control of colorectal cancer (CRC), which is increasing worldwide. In this study, we investigated the potential of targeting viral proteins to combat cancer cells. Specifically, we examined the anticancer potential of the matrix (M) protein of the mumps virus Hoshino strain in SW480 CRC cell lines. To begin, we individually transfected SW480 cells with pcDNA3 plasmids containing the mumps virus M gene. We then investigated the percentage of cell death, caspase activity, and the expression levels of genes involved in apoptosis pathways. Following this, we performed bioinformatics analysis on the M protein to identify any similarities with Bcl-2 family members and their viral homologs. Our diagnostic methods showed that treatment with the mumps M protein induced apoptosis and upregulated the expression and activity of pro-apoptotic proteins in SW480 CRC cells compared to the control and vector groups. Based on our bioinformatics studies, we proposed that the BH3 motif in the M protein may trigger apoptosis in CRC cells by interacting with cellular Bax. Overall, our study showed for the first time that the mumps virus M protein could be considered as a targeted treatment for CRC by inducing apoptotic pathways.

Modeling of oncolytic viruses in a heterogeneous cell population to predict spread into non-cancerous cells

New cancer treatment modalities that limit patient discomfort need to be developed. One possible new therapy is the use of oncolytic (cancer-killing) viruses. It is only recently that our ability to manipulate viral genomes has allowed us to consider deliberately infecting cancer patients with viruses. One key consideration is to ensure that the virus exclusively targets cancer cells and does not harm nearby non-cancerous cells. Here, we use a mathematical model of viral infection to determine the characteristics a virus would need to have in order to eradicate a tumor, but leave non-cancerous cells untouched. We conclude that the virus must differ in its ability to infect the two different cell types, with the infection rate of non-cancerous cells needing to be less than one hundredth of the infection rate of cancer cells. Differences in viral production rate or infectious cell death rate alone are not sufficient to protect non-cancerous cells.

Let’s Go 3D! New Generation of Models for Evaluating Drug Response and Resistance in Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer (PC) is the third most frequently diagnosed cancer worldwide and the second most frequent in men. Several risk factors can contribute to the development of PC, and those include age, family history, and specific genetic mutations. So far, drug testing in PC, as well as in cancer research in general, has been performed on 2D cell cultures. This is mainly because of the vast benefits these models provide, including simplicity and cost effectiveness. However, it is now known that these models are exposed to much higher stiffness; lose physiological extracellular matrix on artificial plastic surfaces; and show changes in differentiation, polarization, and cell–cell communication. This leads to the loss of crucial cellular signaling pathways and changes in cell responses to stimuli when compared to in vivo conditions. Here, we emphasize the importance of a diverse collection of 3D PC models and their benefits over 2D models in drug discovery and screening from the studies done so far, outlining their benefits and limitations. We highlight the differences between the diverse types of 3D models, with the focus on tumor–stroma interactions, cell populations, and extracellular matrix composition, and we summarize various standard and novel therapies tested on 3D models of PC for the purpose of raising awareness of the possibilities for a personalized approach in PC therapy.

Direct and indirect effects of IFN-α2b in malignancy treatment: not only an archer but also an arrow

Interferon-α2b (IFN-α2b) is a highly active cytokine that belongs to the interferon-α (IFN-α) family. IFN-α2b has beneficial antiviral, antitumour, antiparasitic and immunomodulatory activities. Direct and indirect antiproliferative effects of IFN-α2b have been found to occur via multiple pathways, mainly the JAK-STAT pathway, in certain cancers. This article reviews mechanistic studies and clinical trials on IFN-α2b. Potential regulators of the function of IFN-α2b were also reviewed, which could be utilized to relieve the poor response to IFN-α2b. IFN-α2b can function not only by enhancing the systematic immune response but also by directly killing tumour cells. Different parts of JAK-STAT pathway activated by IFN-α2b, such as interferon alpha and beta receptors (IFNARs), Janus kinases (JAKs) and IFN‐stimulated gene factor 3 (ISGF3), might serve as potential target for enhancing the pharmacological action of IFN-α2b. Despite some issues that remain to be solved, based on current evidence, IFN-α2b can inhibit disease progression and improve the survival of patients with certain types of malignant tumours. More efforts should be made to address potential adverse effects and complications.

CD24 Expression Dampens the Basal Antiviral State in Human Neuroblastoma Cells and Enhances Permissivity to Zika Virus Infection

Zika virus (ZIKV) exhibits distinct selectivity for infection of various cells and tissues, but how host cellular factors modulate varying permissivity remains largely unknown. Previous studies showed that the neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-AS (expressing low levels of cellular protein CD24) was highly restricted for ZIKV infection, and that this restriction was relieved by ectopic expression of CD24. We tested the hypothesis that CD24 expression allowed ZIKV replication by suppression of the antiviral response. SK-N-AS cells expressing an empty vector (termed CD24-low cells) showed elevated basal levels of phosphorylated STAT1, IRF-1, IKKE, and NFκB. In response to exogenously added type I interferon (IFN-I), CD24-low cells had higher-level induction of antiviral genes and activity against two IFN-I-sensitive viruses (VSV and PIV5-P/V) compared to SK-N-AS cells with ectopic CD24 expression (termed CD24-high cells). Media-transfer experiments showed that the inherent antiviral state of CD24-low cells was not dependent on a secreted factor such as IFN-I. Transcriptomics analysis revealed that CD24 expression decreased expression of genes involved in intracellular antiviral pathways, including IFN-I, NFκB, and Ras. Our findings that CD24 expression in neuroblastoma cells represses intracellular antiviral pathways support the proposal that CD24 may represent a novel biomarker in cancer cells for susceptibility to oncolytic viruses.