– A drug to stop a virus from triggering cancer
Basel researchers unveil a breakthrough in the fight against cancers linked to the Epstein-Barr virus. A drug could counter its progression.
Published today at 4:05 p.m.
The Epstein-Barr virus is best known as the pathogen of infectious mononucleosis. It can immobilize affected people for several months.
AFP
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Basel scientists have found a new angle of attack against the Epstein-Barr virus and the diseases it causes. The virus could be prevented from triggering cancer with a drug, according to a study published this week in the journal Science.
The key lies in the metabolism of immune cells, exploited by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), writes the University of Basel in a press release.
EBV is best known as the pathogen of infectious mononucleosis, which can immobilize affected individuals for several months. But it can also be the cause of a whole series of diseases, including several types of cancer.
In their study, scientists from the University and University Hospital of Basel led by Christian Hess showed that the virus manipulates infected cells of the immune system, B lymphocytes, so that they produce more quantity an enzyme called IDO1.
This process increases energy production in cells and increases metabolism, which is necessary for rapid multiplication of immune cells reprogrammed by EBV, according to the study.
Organ transplants
The study focused on patients who, after an organ transplant, developed a blood cancer triggered by EBV, called post-transplant lymphoma. To prevent rejection of the transplanted organ, patients’ immune systems are suppressed with medications, allowing EBV to spread and cause disease.
In these patients, the enzyme was already present in large quantities several months before the lymphoma was discovered, the scientists showed. Their idea is to inhibit the enzyme activated by EBV, because a drug already exists for that. It was developed for use in cancer therapies, but was later found to be ineffective for this application.
The method has been successfully tested on mice: the drug reduces the transformation of B lymphocytes, and therefore the viral load as well as the development of lymphoma.
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