New Study Reveals Risks Linked to Prenatal Opioid Exposure for Offspring

Study Identifies Risks to Offspring Linked to Prenatal Opioid Exposure

The Zika virus, notorious since its identification in 1947, might have found a new purpose: fighting cancer. A study released on January 9 by Cancer Research Communications explored the use of the Zika virus in treating mice with human neuroblastoma tumors, a nerve-tissue cancer.

The results were impressive. Mice injected with Zika experienced almost complete tissue death in their tumors, leading to extended survival rates. Joseph Mazar, a research scientist at Nemours Children Hospital in Orlando and the study's first author, expressed amazement at the outcomes, stating, "The difference was stunning. We got 80% to 90% efficacy. With a single injection, the tumors were completely removed; there were no side effects."

Using viruses to combat cancer isn't entirely new. Reports dating back to the 1800s suggested that certain viruses like influenza, hepatitis, measles, or smallpox improved the health of some cancer patients. These viruses, known as oncolytic viruses, could target and harm cancer cells. Modern genetic engineering techniques in the 1990s enhanced their specificity and safety, resulting in the approval of four viruses as specific cancer treatments.

The unique aspect of the Zika virus lies in its ability to target immature nerve cells, disrupting brain growth in developing fetuses. This characteristic led scientists to explore its potential in targeting neuroblastoma, a cancer arising from immature nerve cells, particularly prevalent in infants.

In their study, researchers implanted high-risk neuroblastoma cells from human patients into mice, which developed tumors. The tumors were then directly injected with an unmodified Zika virus, consistently eliminating them without any sign of recurrence. Importantly, the treated mice did not experience significant side effects.

Neuroblastomas expressing high levels of a specific protein called CD24 were found to be especially susceptible to Zika-induced cell damage and death. This protein is present in multiple cancers, suggesting the possibility of using Zika against various tumor types.

While the treatment is not yet ready for human use, the researchers tested the Zika virus on human neuroblastoma tumors in the lab, with promising results mirroring those seen in mice. According to Dr. Tamarah Westmoreland, a pediatric surgeon at Nemours Children Hospital and senior author of the study, and Joseph Mazar, the Zika virus's specificity makes it a potentially safe alternative or additional therapy for cancer in humans.

In other health news, a study published on January 17 in JAMA Network Open suggests that prenatal opioid exposure (POE) is linked to an increased risk of infection, eczema, dermatitis, and asthma in offspring. The study, conducted by Erin Kelty, Ph.D., from the University of Western Australia, analyzed health records for children born between 2003 and 2018, finding associations between POE and certain health conditions. However, no link was found between POE and allergies or anaphylaxis. The study indicates that POE may modify the developing immune system, altering its response to subsequent conditions. Two authors of the study disclosed ties to Mundipharma, and one author has a related patent pending.

Q&A

Q: What does the recent study reveal about the Zika virus and its potential in treating cancer?

A: The study, released on January 9 by Cancer Research Communications, delves into the possibility of the Zika virus being used to treat mice with human neuroblastoma tumors, a type of nerve-tissue cancer. The results are pretty astonishing.

Q: Can you share more about the outcomes observed in the mice injected with Zika?

A: Absolutely! The mice that received Zika injections showed nearly complete tissue death in their tumors, resulting in significantly extended survival rates. Joseph Mazar, the study's first author and a research scientist at Nemours Children Hospital, expressed his amazement, highlighting an impressive 80% to 90% efficacy with a single injection and no observed side effects.

Q: How does using viruses to combat cancer fit into the broader medical context?

A: The idea of using viruses to fight cancer isn't entirely new. Historical reports from the 1800s suggested that viruses like influenza, hepatitis, measles, or smallpox positively impacted the health of certain cancer patients. These viruses, termed oncolytic viruses, could target and harm cancer cells. Advancements in genetic engineering in the 1990s further refined their specificity and safety, leading to the approval of four viruses as specific cancer treatments.

Q: What sets the Zika virus apart for potential cancer treatment?

A: The Zika virus stands out due to its unique ability to target immature nerve cells, affecting brain growth in developing fetuses. This characteristic prompted scientists to explore its potential in tackling neuroblastoma, a cancer originating from immature nerve cells, particularly prevalent in infants.

Q: Could you elaborate on the methodology of the study involving mice and Zika virus injections?

A: Certainly! In the study, high-risk neuroblastoma cells from human patients were implanted into mice, leading to the development of tumors. These tumors were then directly injected with an unmodified Zika virus, consistently eliminating them without any signs of recurrence. Importantly, the mice subjected to this treatment did not experience significant side effects.

Q: What findings suggest that the Zika virus could be a viable option for cancer treatment in humans?

A: The study found that neuroblastomas expressing high levels of a specific protein called CD24 were particularly vulnerable to Zika-induced cell damage and death. Since this protein is present in multiple cancers, it opens up the possibility of utilizing Zika against various tumor types.

Q: Is the Zika virus ready for human use in cancer treatment, and what are the researchers' insights?

A: While the treatment is not yet ready for humans, the researchers tested the Zika virus on human neuroblastoma tumors in the lab, yielding promising results akin to those seen in mice. According to Dr. Tamarah Westmoreland, a pediatric surgeon at Nemours Children Hospital and senior author of the study, and Joseph Mazar, the Zika virus's specificity makes it a potentially safe alternative or additional therapy for cancer in humans.

Q: What additional health findings were highlighted in the study related to prenatal opioid exposure (POE)?

A: In other health news from a study published on January 17 in JAMA Network Open, prenatal opioid exposure (POE) was linked to an increased risk of infection, eczema, dermatitis, and asthma in offspring. The study, conducted by Erin Kelty, Ph.D., from the University of Western Australia, analyzed health records for children born between 2003 and 2018, revealing associations between POE and certain health conditions. Notably, no link was found between POE and allergies or anaphylaxis. The study indicates that POE may modify the developing immune system, altering its response to subsequent conditions. Two authors of the study disclosed ties to Mundipharma, and one author has a related patent pending.

Journal, Child Health, Pregnanc, yImmune Disorders, Opioids