Análisis de la eliminación de detritus urinario de pacientes con cáncer, tratados con virus oncolítico Wt1-5.

Abstract

Oncolytic virotherapy has emerged as a promising strategy in cancer research. In this study, the elimination of the oncolytic virus Wt1-5 in the urine of five cancer patients treated with this virus was evaluated by detecting viral proteins and assessing its ability to infect U937 cells in culture. Urine samples were collected at different post-application times (24–504 h), and the presence of viral particles was analyzed through SDS-PAGE, Western Blot, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and capture ELISA. Viral proteins were detected in urinary debris, indicating virus excretion through this route. Additionally, part of the eliminated virus retained its infective capacity, as it successfully infected U937 cells in vitro. Results showed that the highest amount of viral particles in urine occurred between 24–96 hours post-application, with a progressive reduction starting at 72 hours, and complete elimination at approximately 21 days. Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry revealed variations in cellular infection depending on urine collection time, suggesting dynamic viral shedding. The capture ELISA indicated the presence of free viral proteins, suggesting that part of the virus is eliminated as non-infectious fragments. It is concluded that the oncolytic virus Wt1-5 is excreted in urine and that part of it retains infective capacity, highlighting the need to evaluate its elimination and persistence in biological fluids.