Key Highlights
- Zika virus significantly reduced or eliminated neuroblastoma tumors in mice, hinting at a potential new cancer therapy.
- Study led by Tamarah Westmoreland, MD, PhD from Nemours Children’s Hospital focuses on neuroblastoma, a rare but deadly childhood cancer.
- Research reveals Zika targets cancer cells expressing CD24 protein, similar to its effects in causing birth defects.
- Mice treated with Zika showed no recurrence or side effects, indicating the virus’s potential effectiveness and safety.
- Further studies and FDA approval required before Zika can be used as a standard cancer treatment in humans.
Source: PR Newswire
Notable Quotes
- “More than half of patients with high-risk neuroblastoma do not respond to chemotherapy or radiation, or they respond initially, but develop a recurrence,” – Tamarah Westmoreland, MD, PhD, Pediatric Surgeon, Associate Professor of Surgery at Nemours Children’s Hospital
- “With further validation, Zika virus could be an extremely effective bridge therapy for patients with high-risk neuroblastoma,” – Joseph Mazar, PhD, Research Scientist at Nemours Children’s
- “Neuroblastoma is often a very challenging diagnosis, especially for the patients who are unlikely to respond well to chemotherapy,” – Matthew M. Davis, MD, MAPP, Executive Vice-President at Nemours
SoH's Take
This study marks a significant advancement in the field of oncology, particularly for pediatric cancer treatment. The innovative approach of utilizing a virus, known for its detrimental effects in another context, to combat cancer cells is a testament to the evolving landscape of medical research. Neuroblastoma, being a particularly aggressive and often treatment-resistant cancer in children, necessitates such groundbreaking approaches.
The use of Zika virus, specifically targeting the CD24 protein, exhibits a promising avenue not just for neuroblastoma but potentially other cancers expressing this protein. However, it’s crucial to balance optimism with caution. The transition from successful animal studies to human clinical trials involves numerous challenges, including ensuring safety and efficacy in a vastly more complex biological system.
If future studies continue to support these findings, this could herald a new era in cancer treatment, offering hope to those afflicted with particularly stubborn forms of the disease. This research underscores the importance of exploring unconventional methods in the relentless pursuit of curing cancer.
