WWW.WORDPRESS.COM WWW.SCIENCE1984.WORDPRESS.COM
We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Read more about cookies.OKSkip to main contentFACULTIESENGLISH (EN)SUPPORT USUNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI
The new artificially cloaked viral-based nanovaccines for cancer immunotherapeutic applications.PHOTO: RESEARCH GROUP
Advanced viral nanovaccine for cancer immunotherapy
17.12.2019 HEALTH NEWSLIFE SCIENCE NEWSResearchers at the University of Helsinki have discovered a novel system to generate an artificially enveloped oncolytic adenovirus to direct the immune response against cancer.
Virus-based cancer vaccines are nowadays considered an interesting approach in the field of cancer immunotherapy. Targeting tumour-associated antigens is proven to be effective. However, the identification of these antigens remains challenging.
Researchers at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Manlio Fusciello, from the research group led by Professor Vincenzo Cerullo, and Dr Flavia Fontana, from the research group led by Professor Hélder Santos, and their co-workers, have developed ExtraCRAd, a novel cancer vaccine platform, consisting of an oncolytic adenovirus wrapped in an artificial envelope made of cancer-cell membrane. Oncolytic virus therapy uses modified viruses that can infect and destroy tumour cells but don’t harm normal cells.
“ExtraCRAd is a versatile and advanced technology for cancer treatment, a result of the synergetic effect between the oncolytic virus and the cancer-cell membranes,” says Professor Santos.
Professor Cerullo continues, “Overall, ExtraCRAd might serve as the next generation of personalised cancer vaccines with enhanced features over standard oncolytic virus therapy, representing an alternative way to immunologically target cancer.”
Researchers from the University of Helsinki have demonstrated that ExtraCRAd displays an increased infectivity and oncolytic effect in vitro, and in a human-relevant animal model of tumour in vivo. They also show that this new nanovaccine platform controls the growth of aggressive melanoma and lung tumours both in preventive and therapeutic vaccination strategy, creating a highly specific anti-cancer immune response.
“Building artificial envelopes made of cancer-cell membrane is a new and creative approach that our lab has developed together with Santos’ Lab. This would have not been possible using the expertise of only one laboratory,” adds Professor Cerullo.
Multidisciplinary collaboration
“This project again emphasises the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration, mutual trust and ultimately the importance of the work environment. We both have expanded our personal knowledge by stepping outside of our comfort zones,” note researchers Fusciello and Fontana, who were also awarded Joint Projects of the Young Researchers funding by the Drug Research Program for this project. “We highly recommend that young scientists be curious and have more discussions with those around them. The next great idea is just around the corner.”
Original article
This research received EU funding via a grant from the European Research Council.
Vincenzo Cerullo
vincenzo.cerullo@helsinki.fiContact and publicationsTwitter URL
Hélder Santos
helder.santos@helsinki.fiContact and publicationsTwitter URL
You might also be interested in
Subscribe to health newsletterHelsinki Institute of Life ScienceMaster’s programme in Translational MedicinePRESS RELEASEAUTHOR UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI
Newsletter
Subscribe to newsletter2.9.2019 LIFE SCIENCE NEWSValo Therapeutics acquires PeptiENV technology from the University of HelsinkiBroadening its oncolytic virus and tumour antigen-based immuno-oncology approach across enveloped viruses. Valo Therapeutics is a spin-out…ARTICLEYLIOPISTO-LEHTI10.9.2019 HEALTH NEWSImmunotherapies bring hope to cancer patientsNovel therapies have made it possible to cure metastatic cancers by fighting the disease with cells originating in the patient’s own body.16.9.2019 HEALTH NEWSRapid progress and emergence of junior researchers underway in cancer medicineAcademy Professor Kari Alitalo believes that a good research organisation resembles a tribe in its main characteristics: cooperation, trust and…13.6.2019 LIFE SCIENCE NEWSPersonalized nanovaccines are safe, well tolerated, and have an effect in melanomaPorous silicon and adenovirus-based biohybrid nanovaccines were developed in a study carried out at the University of Helsinki, providing new…PROFILE10.5.2019 HEALTH NEWSVincenzo Cerullo: What if we had a vaccine for tailored cancer therapy?The Professor of Biological Drug Development wants to understand how we can use our immune system to better fight cancer. Is our pre-existing…28.8.2019 HEALTH NEWSCancer is a skilled lobbyist, but an unfamiliar environment will confuse itA cancer cell imprisoned in a laboratory needs the right kind of habitat to show its true colours, says Professor Tuula Salo.
CAMPUSES
University operates on four campuses in Helsinki and at nine other locations.
City Centre Campus
Faculty of ArtsFaculty of Educational SciencesFaculty of LawFaculty of TheologyFaculty of Social SciencesSwedish School of Social Science
Kumpula Campus
Meilahti Campus
Viikki Campus
Faculty of Biological and Environmental SciencesFaculty of Agriculture and ForestryFaculty of Veterinary MedicineFaculty of PharmacyUNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI
P.O. Box 4
(Yliopistonkatu 3)
00014 University of Helsinki
Switchboard:
+358 (0) 2941 911People finder and contactsBuilding opening hoursPress and MediaCareers at the University of HelsinkiLibraryFlammaWebshopAbout the WebsiteData ProtectionAccessibilityGive Feedback
© University of Helsinki 2019
Like!! I blog frequently and I really thank you for your content. The article has truly peaked my interest.
LikeLike
Thanks so much for the blog post.
LikeLike
A big thank you for your article.
LikeLike
Good one! Interesting article over here. It’s pretty worth enough for me.
LikeLike