Virus might fight brain tumors better if armed with bacterial enzyme, study shows
Thursday, January 13, 2011 - 23:30
in Biology & Nature
New research shows that oncolytic viruses, which are engineered to destroy cancer cells, might be more effective in treating deadly brain tumors if equipped with an enzyme that helps them penetrate the tumor. The enzyme removes sugar chains that branch from proteins that fill the narrow spaces between cells. By cutting away these branches, the enzyme clears a path that enables the virus to spread through the tumor.