In developing fetuses, infection by the Zika virus can result in devastating neurological damage, most notably microcephaly and other brain malformations. In a new study, published today in The Journal of Experimental Medicine, researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis report the virus specifically targets and kills brain cancer stem cells.
The findings suggest the lethal power of the virus notorious for causing infected babies to be born with under-sized, misshapen heads could be directed at malignant cells in adult brains. Doing so might potentially improve survival rates for patients diagnosed with glioblastomas, the most common and aggressive form of brain cancer, with a median survival rate of just over 14 months after diagnosis.
The Zika virus specifically targets neuroprogenitor cells in fetal and adult brains. Our research shows it also selectively targets and kills cancer stem cells, which tend to be resistant to standard treatments and a big reason why glioblastomas recur after surgery and result in shorter patient survival rates, said Jeremy Rich, MD, professor of medicine at UC San Diego School of Medicine. Rich is co-senior author of the study with Michael S. Diamond, MD, PhD, professor, and Milan G. Chheda, MD, assistant professor, both at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
Transmission electron microscope image of negative-stained, Fortaleza-strain Zika virus (red), isolated from a microcephaly case in Brazil. Image courtesy of NIAID.
This year, more than 12,000 Americans will be diagnosed with glioblastomas, according to the American Brain Tumor Association. Among them: U.S. Senator John McCain, who announced his diagnosis in July. They are highly malignant. The two-year survival rate is 30 percent.
Standard treatment is aggressive: surgery, followed by chemotherapy and radiation. Yet most tumors recur within six months, fueled by a small population of glioblastoma stem cells that resist and survive treatment, continuing to divide and produce new tumor cells to replace those killed by cancer drugs.
For Zhe Zhu, MD, PhD, a postdoctoral scholar in Richs lab and first author of the study, the hyper-reproductive capabilities of glioblastoma stem cells reminded him of neuroprogenitor cells, which fuel the explosive growth of developing brains. Zika virus specifically targets and kills neuroprogenitor cells.
So Zhu, with Rich, Diamond, Chheda and other collaborators, investigated whether the Zika virus might also target and kill cultured glioblastoma stem cells derived from patients being treated for the disease. They infected cultured tumors with one of two strains of the virus. Both strains spread through the tumors, infecting and killing stem cells while largely avoiding other tumor cells.
The findings, the authors said, suggest that chemotherapy-radiation treatment and a Zika infection appear to produce complementary results. Standard treatment kills most tumor cells but typically leaves stem cells intact. The Zika virus attacks stem cells but bypasses ordinary tumor cells.
We see Zika one day being used in combination with current therapies to eradicate the whole tumor, said Chheda, an assistant professor of medicine and of neurology at Washington University School of Medicine.
To find out whether the virus could boost treatment efficacy in a live animal, researchers injected either the Zika virus or a saltwater placebo directly into glioblastoma tumors in 18 and 15 mice, respectively. Two weeks after injection, tumors were significantly smaller in the Zika-treated mice, who survived significantly longer than those given the placebo.
The scientists note that the idea of injecting a virus notorious for causing brain damage into patients brains seems alarming, but they say Zika may prove a safe therapy with further testing because its primary target neuroprogenitor cells are rare in adult brains. The opposite is true of fetal brains, which is part of the reason why a Zika infection before birth produces widespread and severe brain damage while a normal Zika infection in adults typically causes mild symptoms or none at all.
The researchers also conducted studies of the virus using brain tissue from epilepsy patients that showed the virus does not infect non-cancerous brain cells.
As an additional safety feature, the research team introduced two mutations that weakened the viruss ability to combat natural cellular defenses against infection, reasoning that while the mutated virus would still be able to grow in tumor cells, which have a poor anti-viral defense system, it would be quickly eliminated in healthy cells with a robust anti-viral response.
When they tested the mutated viral strain and the original parental strain in glioblastoma stem cells, they found that the original strain was more potent, but that the mutant strain also succeeded in killing the cancerous cells.
Were going to introduce additional mutations to sensitize the virus even more to the innate immune response and prevent the infection from spreading, said Diamond, a professor of molecular microbiology, pathology and immunology. Once we add a couple more, I think its going to be impossible for the virus to overcome them and cause disease.
Co-authors of the study include: Matthew Gorman, Estefania Fernandez, Lisa McKenzie, Jiani Chai, Justin M. Richner, and Rong Zhang, Washington University, St. Louis; Christopher Hubert, and Briana Prager, Cleveland Clinic; Chao Shan, and Pei-Yong Shi, University of Texas Medical Branch; and Xiuxing Wang, UC San Diego.
Funding for this research came, in part, from the National Institutes of Health (R01 AI073755, R01 AI104972, CA197718, CA154130, CA169117, CA171652, NS087913, NS089272), the Pardee Foundation, the Concern Foundation, the Cancer Research Foundation and the McDonnell Center for Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology of Washington University.
Read this article:
Zika Virus Targets and Kills Brain Cancer Stem Cells - UC San Diego Health
- Cardiovascular Glossary A-Z (All) | Texas Heart Institute - January 4th, 2023
- ADC Therapeutics Announces Abstracts to be Presented at the Tenth Annual Meeting of the Society of Hematologic Oncology (SOHO 2022) - Business Wire - September 25th, 2022
- GVHD in the Context of Stem Cell or Allogeneic Transplant - Cancer Network - August 22nd, 2022
- De-extinction Company Aims to Resurrect the Tasmanian Tiger - Scientific American - August 22nd, 2022
- Dean Kamen on the power of celebrating your own obsoletion - TechCrunch - July 27th, 2022
- Westin and Sehn Carve Out the Role of CAR T-Cell Therapy and Transplant in Primary Refractory DLBCL - OncLive - July 27th, 2022
- Unanticipated findings cast new light on the genetic regulation of different brain tumors - Baylor College of Medicine - July 27th, 2022
- Chaotic response in Uvalde, Parkland shooter faces death penalty, mall shooting leaves 3 dead and jury selection begins in Bannon trial | Hot off the... - July 19th, 2022
- Stem Cells, Abortion, Baby Parts, & the Ukraine - Physicians for Life - June 22nd, 2022
- INVECTYS, MD ANDERSON AND CTMC ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC COLLABORATION FOR CAR T CELL THERAPY DEVELOPMENT - BioSpace - June 22nd, 2022
- Quizartinib Plus Chemotherapy Significantly Improved Overall Survival Compared to Chemotherapy in Patients with Newly Diagnosed FLT3-ITD Positive... - June 13th, 2022
- Texas Family Fights to Access $2.1 Million Treatment for Baby - NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth - May 15th, 2022
- La Conner native raising funds to cure blood cancer - La Conner Weekly News - May 2nd, 2022
- CORRECTING and REPLACING -- Affimed NV - GlobeNewswire - May 2nd, 2022
- StudyFinds Blotter: Other Notable Health Research From April 28, 2022 - Study Finds - May 2nd, 2022
- Sung to lead cancer institute; Bankston wins fellowship - ASBMB Today - April 19th, 2022
- Houston teen first in Texas to become own donor to reverse sickle cell anemia - FOX 26 Houston - March 25th, 2022
- Oleic Acid, a Key to Activating the Brains Fountain of Youth - Neuroscience News - March 25th, 2022
- Stem Cell Therapy Boosts Outcomes for Some Heart Failure Patients - HealthDay - November 22nd, 2021
- Quizartinib Added to Chemotherapy Demonstrates Superior Overall Survival Compared to Chemotherapy Alone in Adult Patients with Newly Diagnosed... - November 22nd, 2021
- BioBridge Global continues history of innovation with umbilical cord collection and processing under cGMP standards for further manufacture - Yahoo... - November 22nd, 2021
- Immatics to Present Update on Lead ACTengine Program IMA203 Targeting PRAME at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancers 36th Annual Meeting - Yahoo... - November 8th, 2021
- Affimed Announces Poster Presentations at the 63rd American Society of Hematology Annual ... - Tyler Morning Telegraph - November 8th, 2021
- ADC Therapeutics Announces Abstracts to be Presented at the 63rd ASH Annual Meeting - StreetInsider.com - November 8th, 2021
- The Power of the Immune System: New Treatment for Painful Blood Cancer Side Effect - Curetoday.com - October 28th, 2021
- Durham firm offering up to $10,000 for researchers to use its intestinal technology - WRAL Tech Wire - October 16th, 2021
- Elevated cryptic transcription emerges as a common theme in aging mammalian cells - Baylor College of Medicine News - August 31st, 2021
- Insulin-producing implants are being developed to control Type 1 diabetes - Health Europa - August 5th, 2021
- Cryptic Transcription in Mammalian Stem Cells Linked to Aging - Technology Networks - August 5th, 2021
- Overview of DLBCL - Targeted Oncology - August 5th, 2021
- The True Crime Junkies and the Curious Case of a Missing Husband - VICE - August 5th, 2021
- FROM THE LABS: Hispanic Heritage Spotlight: Interview with Dr. Nino Rainusso - Baylor College of Medicine News - November 13th, 2020
- UPMC nurse practitioner hailed 'healthcare hero' on live TV - Altoona Mirror - October 31st, 2020
- BrainStrom Cell Therapeutics (NASDAQ:BCLI) Enters Agreement With Catalent (NYSE:CTLT) For Manufacture Of Its NurOwn Cell Therapy - BP Journal - October 31st, 2020
- Dr. Daisy Ayim, Cosmetic Surgeon, ObGyn, Business Owner and Entrepreneur, Is Revolutionizing The Integration Of Women's Health And Cosmetic Care -... - October 31st, 2020
- Five Indian American Researchers Named Among NIH 2020 New Innovator Awardees - India West - October 21st, 2020
- Reliable tumor detection by whole-genome methylation sequencing of cell-free DNA in cerebrospinal fluid of pediatric medulloblastoma - Science... - October 21st, 2020
- Biotechnology could change the cattle industry. Will it succeed? - Salon - September 8th, 2020
- STEM CELLS | VitaDrip IV Therapy | Texas - June 26th, 2020
- New Preclinical Data Demonstrates Immune-Enhancing Effects of Triple I/O Combination Therapy with BeyondSpring's Plinabulin - BioSpace - June 23rd, 2020
- Tau: Why Alzheimer's Worsens Fast in Some, Slowly in Others - Alzforum - June 23rd, 2020
- Scholarly Perspectives on COVID-19, Part 1: This Was Only a Matter of Time - Southern Newsroom - June 23rd, 2020
- Texas Stem Cell Law Opens Door for Controversial Treatments - June 11th, 2020
- Who's to blame? These three scientists are at the heart of the Surgisphere COVID-19 scandal - Science Magazine - June 9th, 2020
- FTC ramps up enforcement with new wave of warning letters - NutraIngredients-usa.com - June 9th, 2020
- UT Student Awarded Prestigious Astronaut Scholarship - UT News | The University of Texas at Austin - June 9th, 2020
- South Sound Community Bands Together To Save Local Lives - southsoundtalk.com - May 7th, 2020
- Pfizer, NYU working on innovative coronavirus vaccine that could be ready by end of summer - NBC News - May 7th, 2020
- How industry hopes to take on COVID-19 - Bioprocess Insider - BioProcess Insider - March 8th, 2020
- Meng Hsieh, Andrew Shubin - The New York Times - March 8th, 2020
- Jimbo Fisher's Kidz1stFund, Aggie Corps of Cadets team up for Be the Match bone marrow donor registry drive - Bryan-College Station Eagle - March 2nd, 2020
- Texas A&M Researcher Named To National List Of Inspiring Black Scientists - Texas A&M University - March 2nd, 2020
- What to do in Madison: March 2-8, 2020 - The Bozho - March 2nd, 2020
- Cumberland County family turns to non-FDA approved stem cell treatment to help two-year-old son with cerebral palsy - FOX43.com - February 27th, 2020
- Recombinetics Announces Collaboration with University of Texas Southwestern to Advance Regenerative Medicine Through Therapeutic Cell, Tissue, and... - February 27th, 2020
- Stem Cell Therapy for Joints & Spine in Austin Texas - January 28th, 2020
- El Paso scientists to deliver 3D bioprinted miniature hearts to the ISS - 3D Printing Industry - January 28th, 2020
- El Paso scientists team up for heart research project at the International Space Station - KVIA El Paso - January 28th, 2020
- Drugs, Biologics, and Regenerative Medicine in 2019: A Successful Year Ends with Promise of a More Challenging 2020 - JD Supra - December 18th, 2019
- Incoming Faculty Bring New Areas of Research to Rensselaer - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - September 24th, 2019
- Nivolumab as an addition to frontline therapy of AML in younger patients - AML Global Portal - September 24th, 2019
- Interview: BIOLIFE4D is The First US Company to Bioprint a Mini-Heart (for Cardiotoxicity Testing) - 3DPrint.com - September 24th, 2019
- Stem cells regrow leg's long bones - WNDU-TV - September 22nd, 2019
- A breakthrough in the battle against citrus greening - Gainesville Sun - September 22nd, 2019
- Comparing Mymetics (OTCMKTS:MYMX) & Crispr Therapeutics (OTCMKTS:CRSP) - TechNewsObserver - September 22nd, 2019
- STEM CELL THERAPY & TREATMENTS Texas Regional Health - September 10th, 2019
- Fast Facts: Stem Cells 101 Vital Record - September 10th, 2019
- Keller, TX Stem Cells | Neuropathy & Pain Centers of Texas - May 31st, 2019
- Arlington Stem Cells | Neuropathy & Pain Centers of Texas - May 1st, 2019
- Houston, Texas Stem Cell Transplants, Richmond, Sugar Land ... - April 21st, 2019
- Fort Worth Stem Cells | Neuropathy and Pain Centers of Texas - April 15th, 2019
- Stem Cell Rejuvenation Therapy | Totalhormonegenetherapy.com - April 15th, 2019
- Our Doctors - Knee Stem Cells - March 17th, 2019
- Stem Cell Treatment Center in Dallas, Texas | Stem Cell ... - March 17th, 2019
- Neuropathy & Pain Centers of Texas - Stem Cells & Neuropathy - February 6th, 2019
- Stem Cell Doctor Dallas Dr. Darcy Brunk | Dallas, Plano ... - January 25th, 2019
- Four Types of Stem Cells - Texas Right to Life - December 15th, 2018
- Texas | The Stem Cellar - December 5th, 2018
- Dallas, Texas, Stem Cells Treatment, Legal, Ft. Worth ... - November 16th, 2018
- HB810 | Right to Try Law | Texas Stem Cell Law | StemGenex - October 13th, 2018