Katherine Ryman, PhD

Recently, the use of tumor-killing viruses has gained favor in cancer gene therapy in an approach that has become known as “virotherapy.” Virotherapy exploits viruses that are able to target and destroy cancer cells, while sparing the surrounding normal tissue. We are developing a virotherapy approach for the treatment of prostate cancer based on infection with Sindbis virus.  

The ability of Sindbis virus to travel rapidly throughout the body in the bloodstream will improve access to metastasized cancer cells. We intend first to develop and test these agents in cultured cells. We will then test and optimize the ability of the virus to cure prostate cancer.