New Study Findings Show How SARS-CoV-2 Impacts Cancer Cells

Medical News: Recent research reveals how COVID-19 could alter the behavior of cancer cells, providing crucial insights into how the virus interacts with different types of cancer. A study conducted by scientists from the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP) at the University of Ghana and the Francis Crick Institute, UK, focused on the potential connection between COVID-19 and cancer cell behavior, specifically in prostate and colorectal cancers.


New Study Findings Show How SARS-CoV-2 Impacts Cancer Cells

The study uncovered that the SARS-CoV-2 virus, responsible for COVID-19, might modulate cancer-like behaviors and influence cancer progression by interacting with cancer cells through a specific receptor known as ACE2, which is expressed in various human tissues, including cancer cells. This Medical News report provides an overview of the findings, explains how SARS-CoV-2 affects cancer cell growth and migration, and highlights the broader implications for cancer patients infected with COVID-19.
 
The Role of ACE2 in Cancer and COVID-19
ACE2, a receptor that facilitates SARS-CoV-2 entry into human cells, has been a key focus of research since the pandemic began. In cancer cells, ACE2 expression is particularly intriguing. While some studies suggest that ACE2 may suppress certain cancer-like properties, others indicate it could enhance cancer cell migration and invasion, making it a potential factor in cancer progression.
 
In this study, the researchers aimed to explore the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on ACE2-expressing cancer cells. Using two cancer cell lines - 22RV1 (prostate cancer) and DLD-1 (colorectal cancer) - the scientists infected the cells with SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus and live virus. The results indicated that the virus had different effects depending on the type of cancer cell it infected.
 
Differential Impact on Prostate and Colorectal Cancer Cells
One of the major findings of the study was the variation in how prostate and colorectal cancer cells responded to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The study found that SARS-CoV-2 infection significantly decreased the proliferation (growth) of 22RV1 prostate cancer cells when infected with the pseudovirus. However, when live SARS-CoV-2 was introduced, these same prostate cancer cells exhibited increased growth and migratory behavior. This suggests that the live virus may enhance the progression of prostate cancer in some patients.
 
In contrast, the colorectal cancer cells (DLD-1) showed reduced growth and migration upon infection with the live virus. The researchers observed that the SARS-CoV-2 infection slowed down the migration of these cells, potentially indicating a suppressive effect on cancer progression in colorectal cells.
 
These findings highlight the complexity of how the virus interacts with different cancer types and emphasize the need for cancer-type-specific studies to better understand the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on cancer progression.
 
Molecular Markers of Cancer Growth and Survival
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To further investigate how SARS-CoV-2 infection affects cancer cells, the researchers examined the expression of several molecular markers associated with cell growth, survival, and migration. These markers included Ki-67 (a proliferation marker), BCL-2 (an anti-apoptotic marker), VIM (a marker for migration), MMP9 (a protein involved in tissue remodeling), and VEGF (a protein that promotes blood vessel growth).
 
In prostate cancer cells, SARS-CoV-2 infection increased the expression of Ki-67, BCL-2, VIM, and VEGF, suggesting that the virus may promote cancer cell growth, survival, and migration. However, the expression of MMP9 was reduced, indicating a complex interaction between the virus and cancer cell pathways.
 
In contrast, the colorectal cancer cells exhibited decreased expression of these markers upon SARS-CoV-2 infection, aligning with the observed reduction in cell growth and migration. These findings suggest that the virus has cell-specific effects on cancer, potentially accelerating cancer progression in prostate cells while inhibiting it in colorectal cells.
 
Cytokine Expression and the Immune Response
Another important aspect of the study was the effect of SARS-CoV-2 on cytokine expression in cancer cells. Cytokines are proteins that play a critical role in the immune response, and a "cytokine storm" is often associated with severe COVID-19 cases. The researchers examined the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-8, in the infected cancer cells.

In prostate cancer cells, SARS-CoV-2 infection increased the expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-8, while IL-6 levels remained unchanged. These cytokines are known to promote inflammation and cancer progression, suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 could contribute to a more aggressive cancer phenotype in prostate cancer patients.
 
In colorectal cancer cells, the results were different. The expression of TNF-α and IL-6 was downregulated, while IL-1β and IL-8 were upregulated. The reduction in TNF-α expression may explain the suppressed growth and migration observed in these cells, as TNF-α is often associated with cancer progression.
 
Implications for Cancer Patients with COVID-19
The findings of this study have important implications for cancer patients who contract COVID-19. The differential effects of SARS-CoV-2 on prostate and colorectal cancer cells suggest that the virus could worsen the prognosis of some cancer patients while potentially having a protective effect in others.
 
For prostate cancer patients, the increased growth and migratory behavior of cancer cells in response to live virus infection could lead to faster cancer progression. On the other hand, colorectal cancer patients may experience slower cancer growth due to the virus’s inhibitory effects on cancer cell proliferation and migration.
 
These findings underscore the need for personalized approaches to cancer treatment in COVID-19 patients. Cancer patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 may require closer monitoring, and their treatment plans might need to be adjusted based on the type of cancer and the severity of the viral infection.
 
Conclusion: A Call for Further Research
The study sheds light on the complex interplay between SARS-CoV-2 and cancer cells, highlighting the cell-type-specific effects of the virus on cancer progression. While ACE2 plays a role in viral entry, other factors influence how different cancer cells respond to infection. The increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in prostate cancer cells suggests that SARS-CoV-2 could worsen cancer outcomes in these patients, while colorectal cancer cells show a more protective response to infection.
 
These findings provide a foundation for future research aimed at understanding the molecular mechanisms behind these interactions. Further studies are needed to explore how SARS-CoV-2 modulates cancer cell behavior, identify potential therapeutic targets, and develop strategies for managing cancer patients infected with COVID-19.
 
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Scientific Reports.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1038/s41598-024-75718-1
 
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