Grant: CIHR Fellowship

Oncolytic viruses selectively infect and kill cancer cells, while leaving healthy cells unharmed. This promising cancer therapeutic is rapidly evolving, with newly engineered viruses reaching clinical trials. Most of the current strategies to improve oncolytic viruses focus on manipulating the proteins regulating the virus' proliferation. Recent studies have revealed important roles for biologic molecules called 'non-coding RNAs' in human disease. We aim to examine these non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) to see if modulation of their expression can serve to improve oncolytic virus-based therapies. By comparing the levels of ncRNAs in uninfected and oncolytic virus infected cancer cells, we aim to identify ncRNAs with critical roles in the cancer cell's response to oncolytic virus infection. Using cutting-edge high-throughput screening technologies, I will determine which lncRNAs can be targeted to improve oncolytic virus efficacy. Overall, the proposed work will increase our understanding of the ncRNA components of the mammalian host response to viral infection, as well as facilitate the development of more highly effective and tumor-selective oncolytic virotherapy.