Final answer:
Reovirus works as an oncolytic virus by specifically infecting and destroying cancer cells with mutations like the activated Ras-signaling pathway.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reovirus works as an oncolytic virus by specifically targeting and eliminating cancer cells. Oncolytic viruses like reovirus are intentionally engineered to exploit specific vulnerabilities in cancer cells. For instance, reoviruses can infect and lyse cancer cells that have an activated Ras-signaling pathway, which is a mutation commonly found in various cancers.It binds to overexpressed receptors on cancer cells, replicates within them, and causes cell lysis, sparing healthy cells from damage.
Reovirus achieves this by binding to receptors that are overexpressed on the surface of cancer cells, allowing it to enter and replicate within these cells. Once replication is complete, the infected cancer cells burst, releasing more oncolytic viruses to continue the process. This method of therapy has shown promise in clinical trials, offering a potential treatment that can specifically target cancer cells without damaging healthy cells. This is because the modified viruses often cannot replicate in cells with normal regulatory proteins like the wildtype p53 protein.
Ongoing research suggests a hopeful future where viruses such as reovirus are used to deliver more effective and targeted cancer treatments, complementing traditional therapies like chemotherapy.