These viruses are characterized by their ability to enter a latent phase in the infected cell. Most of current anti-viral drugs target proteins that are produced when the virus is replicating. For this reason, reactivating the latent virus is considered the most promising strategy to kill infected tumor cells. However, a reactivated replicating virus can get released into the circulation when the host cell is lysed. Researchers at UCLA have proposed a strategy in reactivating the latent virus while preventing the release of viral particles into the blood stream.

In vitro experiments performed by researchers at UCLA demonstrated a new mechanism of action for NF-kB inhibitors in reactivating virus from latently infected tumor cells. The inventors will further test the invention in in vivo experiments using immunocompromised mice with EBV-infected tumors. The animals will be administered with each of the different NF-kB inhibitors plus an anti-viral agent and monitored for tumor regression.

The treatment strategy of using a combination therapy that includes both a NF-kB inhibitor and an anti-viral agent can enhance the efficacy of some NF-kB inhibitors indicated for gammaherpes virus-associated malignancies.

Reference: UCLA Case No. 2002-479