# Oncolytic virus targeting Schistosomes

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · 2022 · $203,125

## Abstract

Project summary: Schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease affects hundreds of millions of people
worldwide and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality and imposes a high socioeconomic burden
on many affected developing countries. Schistosomiasis is caused by water-borne parasitic trematodes of the
genus Schistosoma, which can survive inside human hosts for decades. Disease pathology results from
deposition of schistosome eggs in host tissues, which evokes an immunopathological response from the host.
Recent work shows that oncolytic viruses with limited host range in mammals can eliminate cancer cells
without harming the human host and these viruses are being actively investigated for potential clinical use. We
recently performed preliminary studies showing that one of these oncolytic viruses is capable of infecting
schistosomes and replicating within the parasites. Thus, exposure of Schistosoma mansoni to the virus in vitro
results in 100% infection of worms, resulting in tegumental disruption, damage to other worm tissues, and
parasite lethality. Unlike praziquantel, the current drug used to treat and control schistosomiasis, this oncolytic
virus impacts all intramammalian parasite stage including schistosomula, juvenile, and adult schistosomes.
This innovative exploratory proposal will confirm and extend these preliminary studies with the goals of
determining the dynamics of infection and whether this oncolytic virus can be used to infect and potentially kill
schistosomes in vivo without harming the host. Specifically, we will Aim 1: Determine the effects of oncolytic
virus on the different life stages of schistosomes in vitro and Aim 2: Determine the effects of oncolytic
virus on schistosomes within the mammalian host. We have excellent interdisciplinary collaborators to
carry this project successfully. Accomplishment of these aims will serve as proof of concept and set the stage
for more extensive refinement and testing in future work using animal models of infection and co-infection to
understand the underlying parasite pathways and target the pathway hijacked by the virus, perhaps leading to
new therapeutic targets. These studies will provide a platform to potentially use this oncolytic virus as a
“schisto-lytic” agent due to its extremely narrow host range and could provide an effective safe schistosomiasis
therapeutic. The approach will readily translate into groundbreaking new technology for treatment and control
of schistosomiasis.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10372084
- **Project number:** 5R21AI151334-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- **Principal Investigator:** BRUCE D FREEDMAN
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $203,125
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-03-16 → 2024-02-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10372084

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10372084, Oncolytic virus targeting Schistosomes (5R21AI151334-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10372084. Licensed CC0.

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