( A new class of hybrid virus that can id...)Molecular Imaging Of Cancer Now Possible, New Hybrid Virus Produced,Health

A new class of hybrid virus that can identify, highlight and deliver genes to mice tumor cells have been developed by researchers // at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. This new development, reported in the journal Cell, marks a milestone in cancer research as it could lead to novel treatment strategies for combating cancer.

As the technique increases the visibility of the cancer cells and makes it more accessible to treatment, it might allow precise monitoring of how certain anti-cancer agents work. 'In tumor-bearing mice, we show that this hybrid virus can target tumors systemically to deliver an imaging or therapeutic gene. The signal is specific only to tumors, so one can monitor drug effectiveness at the molecular level,' said Renata Pasqualini, the co-leader of the study.

The hybrid virus was created by a culmination of the biological characteristics and genetic components of an animal virus. The new hybrid virus named as AAV phage or AAVP can be used as a vehicle for delivery of specific genes targeted at tumors in mice produced through appropriate techniques.

This technique of genetically marking a tumor could eventually lead to a strategy for detection on a clinic-ready body scanner. The unique ability of the hybrid virus to deliver genes or other agents into the cells in addition to targeting specific tissues represents a distinct advantage. What surprised the researchers is that the hybrid viruses retained the properties of the parental viruses, from which they were derived.

'This is only a proof-of-concept, and although we have yet to translate these hybrid viruses for use in humans, we hope that this new system will have future clinical applications. In addition to the obvious biological interest, when the vector is refined for patient use, it could perhaps help us diagnose, monitor and treat human tumors more accurately,' said Wadih Arap, co-leader of the study.

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