Molecular and immunological characterizations of reovirus oncolysis

We don't normally think of viruses as beneficial organisms because they are invariably associated with human diseases. In 1998, we demonstrated that a naturally occurring, benign human virus, called reovirus, is a potent cancer killer. This virus is able to infect a variety of cancer cells, eventually killing them. Progeny viruses made in these cells are released and can in turn infect and kill neighboring cancer cells. We have further shown that reovirus is very effective against various human cancers implanted in mice, including brain, breast, pancreas, prostate, ovarian, and colorectal cancers. Reovirus is presently undergoing various phases of clinical trials in Canada, US and the UK. Current research in my laboratory is focused on the precise mechanisms whereby reovirus specifically infects and kills cancer cells. We aim to understand 1) how reovirus exploits cancer cells' inability to defend against virus invasion, and 2) how reovirus enhances the body's immune system to fight cancer. A thorough understanding of these events should facilitate the use of oncolytic viruses as an anti-cancer therapeutic with the potential to provide long term cancer-free health.