Modified Adenovirus Can Kill Glioma Cells

Researchers have discovered that an enzyme called hTERT-Ad can be used to selectively kill brain cancer cells. The enzyme is already found in the body where it directs adrenovirus function. The catch it seems is that it will only work on cancerous cells containing an enzyme called telomerase. If the cancerous cells have telomerase the enzyme hTERT-Ad causes the cells to digest themselves and die. This research is being conducted at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.