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Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics Oct 2020Oncolytic viruses have been taking the front stage in biological therapy for cancer recently. The first and most potent virus to be used in oncolytic virotherapy is... (Review)
Review
Oncolytic viruses have been taking the front stage in biological therapy for cancer recently. The first and most potent virus to be used in oncolytic virotherapy is human adenovirus. Recently, ongoing extensive research has suggested that other viruses like herpes simplex virus (HSV) and measles virus can also be considered as potential candidates in cancer therapy. An HSV-based oncolytic virus, T-VEC, has completed phase Ш clinical trial and has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in biological cancer therapy. Moreover, the vaccine strain of the measles virus has shown impressive results in pre-clinical and clinical trials. Considering their therapeutic efficacy, safety, and reduced side effects, the use of such engineered viruses in biological cancer therapy has the potential to establish a milestone in cancer research. In this review, we summarize the recent clinical advances in the use of oncolytic viruses in biological therapy for cancer. Additionally, this review evaluates the potential viral candidates for their benefits and shortcomings and sheds light on the future prospects.
Topics: Humans; Neoplasms; Oncolytic Virotherapy; Oncolytic Viruses
PubMed: 32078405
DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2020.1723363 -
Medicina 2020In April 2019, UNICEF denounced that more than 20 million children worldwide had not been vaccinated and alerted on possible outbreaks of measles which, due to the high...
In April 2019, UNICEF denounced that more than 20 million children worldwide had not been vaccinated and alerted on possible outbreaks of measles which, due to the high transmissibility of this virus, is the first disease preventable by vaccination to emerge. If the decline in vaccinations continues, pertussis, tetanus and other diseases, which require less coverage to achieve population protection, may also reappear. In Argentina, the current outbreak began in late August 2019. Measles virus is transmitted by air, infects multiple organs, and is associated with immunosuppression. Its genome consists of single stranded RNA. Genotyping is carried out by sequencing a 450-nucleotide fragment of the N protein, which contains the highest density of nucleotide variation. In South America, D8 is the circulating genotype and in North America, B3 accounts for 8% of the cases. Each person with measles infects, on average, another 12-18 people in a susceptible population. Vaccination confers direct and indirect protection, and induces both antibodies and cellular immunity. Newborns are protected by maternal antibodies transmitted via the placenta, up to 6 months. In Argentina, the Vaccination Calendar includes two doses of triple viral vaccine, at 12 months and 5 years, and a zero dose (6-11 months of age) in districts with disease cases. The protection conferred by the vaccine is 93% at 12 months with a dose, and with 2 doses 97% for life.
Topics: Argentina; Child, Preschool; Disease Outbreaks; Genotype; History, 19th Century; Humans; Infant; Measles; Nucleocapsid Proteins; Nucleoproteins; Vaccination; Viral Proteins
PubMed: 32282323
DOI: No ID Found -
Viruses Nov 2022The immune system deploys a complex network of cells and signaling pathways to protect host integrity against exogenous threats, including measles virus (MeV). However,... (Review)
Review
The immune system deploys a complex network of cells and signaling pathways to protect host integrity against exogenous threats, including measles virus (MeV). However, throughout its evolutionary path, MeV developed various mechanisms to disrupt and evade immune responses. Despite an available vaccine, MeV remains an important re-emerging pathogen with a continuous increase in prevalence worldwide during the last decade. Considerable knowledge has been accumulated regarding MeV interactions with the innate immune system through two antagonistic aspects: recognition of the virus by cellular sensors and viral ability to inhibit the induction of the interferon cascade. Indeed, while the host could use several innate adaptors to sense MeV infection, the virus is adapted to unsettle defenses by obstructing host cell signaling pathways. Recent works have highlighted a novel aspect of innate immune response directed against MeV unexpectedly involving DNA-related sensing through activation of the cGAS/STING axis, even in the absence of any viral DNA intermediate. In addition, while MeV infection most often causes a mild disease and triggers a lifelong immunity, its tropism for invariant T-cells and memory T and B-cells provokes the elimination of one primary shield and the pre-existing immunity against previously encountered pathogens, known as "immune amnesia".
Topics: Humans; Immune Evasion; Immunity, Innate; Interferons; Measles; Measles virus; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 36560645
DOI: 10.3390/v14122641 -
Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy Apr 2023Human diseases, particularly infectious diseases and cancers, pose unprecedented challenges to public health security and the global economy. The development and... (Review)
Review
Human diseases, particularly infectious diseases and cancers, pose unprecedented challenges to public health security and the global economy. The development and distribution of novel prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines are the prioritized countermeasures of human disease. Among all vaccine platforms, viral vector vaccines offer distinguished advantages and represent prominent choices for pathogens that have hampered control efforts based on conventional vaccine approaches. Currently, viral vector vaccines remain one of the best strategies for induction of robust humoral and cellular immunity against human diseases. Numerous viruses of different families and origins, including vesicular stomatitis virus, rabies virus, parainfluenza virus, measles virus, Newcastle disease virus, influenza virus, adenovirus and poxvirus, are deemed to be prominent viral vectors that differ in structural characteristics, design strategy, antigen presentation capability, immunogenicity and protective efficacy. This review summarized the overall profile of the design strategies, progress in advance and steps taken to address barriers to the deployment of these viral vector vaccines, simultaneously highlighting their potential for mucosal delivery, therapeutic application in cancer as well as other key aspects concerning the rational application of these viral vector vaccines. Appropriate and accurate technological advances in viral vector vaccines would consolidate their position as a leading approach to accelerate breakthroughs in novel vaccines and facilitate a rapid response to public health emergencies.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Viral Vaccines; Genetic Vectors; Orthomyxoviridae; Communicable Diseases; Adenoviridae
PubMed: 37029123
DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01408-5 -
Science (New York, N.Y.) Nov 2019Measles virus is directly responsible for more than 100,000 deaths yearly. Epidemiological studies have associated measles with increased morbidity and mortality for... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
Measles virus is directly responsible for more than 100,000 deaths yearly. Epidemiological studies have associated measles with increased morbidity and mortality for years after infection, but the reasons why are poorly understood. Measles virus infects immune cells, causing acute immune suppression. To identify and quantify long-term effects of measles on the immune system, we used VirScan, an assay that tracks antibodies to thousands of pathogen epitopes in blood. We studied 77 unvaccinated children before and 2 months after natural measles virus infection. Measles caused elimination of 11 to 73% of the antibody repertoire across individuals. Recovery of antibodies was detected after natural reexposure to pathogens. Notably, these immune system effects were not observed in infants vaccinated against MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella), but were confirmed in measles-infected macaques. The reduction in humoral immune memory after measles infection generates potential vulnerability to future infections, underscoring the need for widespread vaccination.
Topics: Adolescent; Animals; Antibodies, Bacterial; Antibodies, Viral; Antibody Diversity; Child; Child, Preschool; Epitopes; Humans; Immune Tolerance; Immunologic Memory; Macaca mulatta; Male; Measles; Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine
PubMed: 31672891
DOI: 10.1126/science.aay6485 -
Trends in Food Science & Technology Oct 2020Garlic ( L.) is a common herb consumed worldwide as functional food and traditional remedy for the prevention of infectious diseases since ancient time. Garlic and its... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Garlic ( L.) is a common herb consumed worldwide as functional food and traditional remedy for the prevention of infectious diseases since ancient time. Garlic and its active organosulfur compounds (OSCs) have been reported to alleviate a number of viral infections in pre-clinical and clinical investigations. However, so far no systematic review on its antiviral effects and the underlying molecular mechanisms exists.
SCOPE AND APPROACH
The aim of this review is to systematically summarize pre-clinical and clinical investigations on antiviral effects of garlic and its OSCs as well as to further analyse recent findings on the mechanisms that underpin these antiviral actions. PubMed, Cochrane library, Google Scholar and Science Direct databases were searched and articles up to June 2020 were included in this review.
KEY FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS
Pre-clinical data demonstrated that garlic and its OSCs have potential antiviral activity against different human, animal and plant pathogenic viruses through blocking viral entry into host cells, inhibiting viral RNA polymerase, reverse transcriptase, DNA synthesis and immediate-early gene 1(IEG1) transcription, as well as through downregulating the extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. The alleviation of viral infection was also shown to link with immunomodulatory effects of garlic and its OSCs. Clinical studies further demonstrated a prophylactic effect of garlic in the prevention of widespread viral infections in humans through enhancing the immune response. This review highlights that garlic possesses significant antiviral activity and can be used prophylactically in the prevention of viral infections.
PubMed: 32836826
DOI: 10.1016/j.tifs.2020.08.006 -
Current Opinion in Virology Feb 2021Effects of measles on the immune system are only partially understood. Lymphoid tissue is a primary site of measles virus (MeV) replication where CD150 is the receptor... (Review)
Review
Effects of measles on the immune system are only partially understood. Lymphoid tissue is a primary site of measles virus (MeV) replication where CD150 is the receptor for infection of both B and T cells. Lymphocyte depletion occurs during the acute phase of infection, but initiation of the adaptive immune response leads to extensive lymphocyte proliferation, production of MeV-specific antibody and T cells, the rash and clearance of infectious virus. Viral RNA persists in lymphoid tissue accompanied by ongoing germinal center proliferation, production of antibody-secreting cells, functionally distinct populations of T cells and antibody avidity maturation to establish life-long immunity. However, at the same time diversity of pre-existing antibodies and numbers of memory and naive B cells are reduced and susceptibility to other infections is increased.
Topics: Adaptive Immunity; Antibodies, Viral; Humans; Immune Tolerance; Immunity, Cellular; Lymphoid Tissue; Measles; Measles virus; Virus Replication
PubMed: 32891958
DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2020.08.002 -
Heliyon Mar 2024Thrombocytopenia, characterized by a decrease in platelet count, is a multifaceted clinical manifestation that can arise from various underlying causes. This review... (Review)
Review
Thrombocytopenia, characterized by a decrease in platelet count, is a multifaceted clinical manifestation that can arise from various underlying causes. This review delves into the intriguing nexus between viruses and thrombocytopenia, shedding light on intricate pathophysiological mechanisms and highlighting the pivotal role of platelets in viral infections. The review further navigates the landscape of thrombocytopenia in relation to specific viruses, and sheds light on the diverse mechanisms through which hepatitis C virus (HCV), measles virus, parvovirus B19, and other viral agents contribute to platelet depletion. As we gain deeper insights into these interactions, we move closer to elucidating potential therapeutic avenues and preventive strategies for managing thrombocytopenia in the context of viral infections.
PubMed: 38524607
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27844