GENE MODIFICATION OF HUMAN RHINOVIRUS TO TARGET NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER

miR-34c-3p is a microRNA sequence that post-transcriptionally regulates gene expression and facilitates diverse physiological processes. This RNA sequence targets the eIF4E gene that promotes cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. eIF4E is known to be overexpressed in a variety of tumors and is associated with disease progression in non-small cell lung cancer patients. miR-34c-3p normally acts as a tumor suppressor, however it has been found to be down regulated in non-small cell lung cancer cells. By overexpression of miR-34c-3p, it will lead to reduced eIF4E expression which results in a decline in cancer cell numbers (Liu et al., 2015). This study reports preliminary data that suggest inhibiting the overexpression of eIF4E results in reduction of lung cancer cell numbers. Thus, miR-34c-3p has the potential to be a therapeutic mechanism to target non-small cell lung cancer. The primary objective would be how to deliver this mechanism to the lung cancer cells. Oncolytic viruses are used in many cancer treatments because viruses can be used as a vehicle to attack specific mechanisms in cancerous tissues and activate an immune response to the desired location. The rhinovirus that causes the majority of common colds has not been studied as a potential oncolytic virus for targeting lung cancer cells. In this study, I propose to use the rhinovirus as a vehicle, carrying the miR-34c-3p mechanism to the lung cancer cells. With the use of molecular biology techniques, inverted microscopes and fluorescence microscopy; this study could lead to future treatment strategies targeting lung cancer.