Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 3, 2025
Paramyxoviruses for Tumor-targeted Immunomodulation: Design and Evaluation Ex Vivo
Published on: January 7, 2019
Metabolic signatures associated with oncolytic myxoma viral infections
Rohit Mahar1, Mukundan Ragavan1, Mario C Chang1
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA.
Abstract:
Oncolytic viral therapy is a recent advance in cancer treatment, demonstrating promise as a primary treatment option. To date, the secondary metabolic effects of viral infection in cancer cells has not been extensively studied. In this work, we have analyzed early-stage metabolic changes in cancer cells associated with oncolytic myxoma virus infection. Using GC-MS based metabolomics, we characterized the myxoma virus infection induced metabolic changes in three cancer cell lines-small cell (H446) and non-small cell (A549) lung cancers, and glioblastoma (SFxL). We show that even at an early stage (6 and 12 h) myxoma infection causes profound changes in cancer cell metabolism spanning several important pathways such as the citric acid cycle, fatty acid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism. In general, the metabolic effects of viral infection across cell lines are not conserved. However, we have identified several candidate metabolites that can potentially serve as biomarkers for monitoring oncolytic viral action in general.
Insights
Oncolytic myxoma virus infection significantly alters cancer cell metabolism, impacting key pathways like the citric acid cycle. Researchers identified potential biomarkers for monitoring this oncolytic viral therapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Virology
- Metabolomics
Background:
- Oncolytic viral therapy is an emerging cancer treatment strategy.
- The metabolic consequences of oncolytic viral infections in cancer cells remain understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate early-stage metabolic alterations in cancer cells induced by myxoma virus infection.
- To identify potential metabolic biomarkers for oncolytic viral therapy.
Main Methods:
- Utilized gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) based metabolomics.
- Analyzed metabolic changes in three cancer cell lines: small cell lung cancer (H446), non-small cell lung cancer (A549), and glioblastoma (SFxL).
- Examined metabolic profiles at early time points (6 and 12 hours post-infection).
Main Results:
- Myxoma virus infection induced significant metabolic changes in cancer cells.
- Affected metabolic pathways include the citric acid cycle, fatty acid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism.
- Metabolic effects varied across different cancer cell lines, indicating a lack of conserved response.
Conclusions:
- Early-stage oncolytic myxoma virus infection profoundly impacts cancer cell metabolism.
- Identified candidate metabolites that may serve as general biomarkers for oncolytic viral therapy.
- Findings contribute to understanding the secondary metabolic effects of oncolytic viruses.
