Even if a viral vector doesn’t induce the apoptosis of the cell, could it trigger/encode for the expression of a specific antigen that triggers lymphocytes to target the malignant cell? Does anyone have experience with in vitro or mouse models that have been part of such an experiment and if so, what would be the best possible antigen to expose to the immune system?
this was my idea of my graduation project in 2004 utilizing the MHC of viral infected cell to destroy cancer cells
Thanks Colin. Of course the goal would be to use a virus that is infecting the tissue of interest very selectively. Some human adenoviruses are infecting malignant cells of different types very efficiently while at the same time de-targeting other tissues (with systemic application, special focus on the liver).
Do you think it would have to be a retrovirus ? A "transient" infection of the cell is not enough I guess. The retrovirus might have other severe side effects in contrast to e.g. an adenovirus.
Also thinking about this problem for a couple of years.
Easiest way would of course be the tumor itself presenting any kind of receptor/antigen, but that might be unlikely or the tumor might consist of a couple of different cell types like the maligne melanoma.
The other way you would basically need to infect every available cell with the viral vector, but your virus somehow reacts to the intracelluar conditions. Some tumor-gene product which then interacts with what ever you inserted.
Anyway, I would say, the targetting is the really difficult process, not the virus itself.
Ps: isn't it that what they did in " I am Legend"?
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