(March 12, 2015) Parvoviruses can destroy cancer cells and
are currently being tested in a preliminary clinical trial to treat malignant
brain cancer. For their replication, the viruses need a particular enzyme in
the cell. Scientists from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) have now
discovered that in healthy human cells, parvoviruses are unable to activate
this enzyme. In many cases of malignant brain cancer, however, the enzyme is
permanently active. As a result, this enables the viruses to replicate and to
destroy the cancer cells. It accounts not only for the viruses' natural
selectivity for cancer cells but also helps identify cancer patients who might
benefit from parvovirus therapy.