Using a Virus to Treat Lymphoma in Cats

SUMMARY: Researchers will investigate if a virus can treat lymphoma in cats.

THE PROBLEM:Lymphoma is one of the most common types of cancer in cats. Current treatment options, such as chemotherapy, are not always effective, and cats often experience more side effects from these treatments than dogs. This is due to differences in how their bodies process the drugs, leading to a build-up of the medication in their system. As a result, there is a strong need for new, safer, and more effective treatments.

THE PROJECT: One promising new approach to cancer treatment is the use of oncolytic viruses. These are viruses that are designed to specifically attack cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed. In this project, the team will attempt to develop a special version of a virus known as Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV), which has been modified to include a protein called GM-CSF. This protein is known to help stimulate the immune system, making it more effective at fighting cancer. By arming the virus with GM-CSF, the team hopes it will both destroy cancer cells directly and boost the cat’s own immune response against the cancer. In this study, they’ll carefully test and analyze this virus to see how well it works in fighting lymphoma cells in cats. This involves studying the virus’s ability to infect and kill cancer cells, its safety for healthy cells, and how it affects the immune system. 

POTENTIAL IMPACT: This research could pave the way for new treatments that not only kill cancer cells but also help the cat’s immune system fightback, leading to better outcomes for cats with lymphoma.