Researchers hope Zika virus can slow brain tumour growth

Scientists from the University of Cambridge are beginning a trial to examine whether Zika virus could be used as a cancer cure for patients with brain tumours. This experimental study will specifically target glioblastoma, which is an aggressive and most common form of brain tumour.

Zika virus attacks stem cells of the developing brain by passing through the blood-brain barrier. It is this ability that the researchers hope to take advantage of in glioblastoma patients, where cancer cells resemble those of the developing brain.

“Zika virus infection in babies and children is a major global health concern, and the focus has been to discover more about the virus to find new possible treatments,” Dr Harry Bulstrode, a Cancer Research UK scientist at the University of Cambridge explained in a report in The Telegraph. “We’re taking a different approach and want to use these new insights to see if the virus can be unleashed against one of the hardest to treat cancers.

“We hope to show that the Zika virus can slow down brain tumour growth in tests in the lab,” he continued. “If we can learn lessons from Zika’s ability to cross the blood–brain barrier and target brain stem cells selectively, we could be holding the key to future treatments.”

Examining the virus’ mechanism of action in the laboratory and in mice, the scientists will explore its potential to destroy cancer cells. This will then provide the starting point to develop new treatments to specifically target cancer cells and leave the healthy surrounding tissue alone.