Camel, alpaca antibodies target anticancer viruses directly to tumors
Using antibodies from camels and alpacas, scientists led by David T. Curiel, MD, PhD, at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found a way to deliver anticancer viruses directly to tumor cells, leaving other types of cells uninfected. The discovery may solve a longstanding problem in the field of gene therapy.
Gene therapy method targets tumor blood vessels
Working in mice, School of Medicine researchers report developing a gene delivery method long sought in the field of gene therapy: a deactivated virus carrying a gene of interest that can be injected into the bloodstream and make its way to the right cells. In this proof-of-concept study, they targeted tumor blood vessels in mice without affecting healthy tissues.
Siteman Cancer Research Fund grants $2 million for unique approaches to fighting cancer
Five scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have received a combined $2 million in grants for their innovative approaches to fighting cancer. The awards are from the Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Research Fund.
Washington University receives $3 million to design cancer-killing viruses
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have received a $3 million grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to develop a triple threat in the fight against cancer: a single virus equipped to find, image and kill cancer cells, all at once.
New center fosters bench-to-bedside medicine
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has launched a new center devoted to turning innovations developed in the laboratory into improved treatments at the patient’s bedside. Led by David T. Curiel, MD, PhD, the Biologic Therapeutics Center will foster translational medicine and support a quicker transition of knowledge from the lab to the clinic.