Newcastle Disease Virus as a Promising Vector against Infectious Diseases and as a Potential Agent against Cancers

The continual emergence of viral pathogens highlights the need for effective vaccine systems that can rapidly adapt to changing or novel pathogens. The use of Newcastle disease virus (NDV)-based vector vaccines may be one of the most feasible approaches for achieving protection against such pathogens. ND is one of the most important infectious diseases of poultry. However, the use of this poultry pathogen as a vaccine vector to offer protection against other pathogens has become of interest to researchers worldwide. For example, a study has demonstrated that an NDV-based influenza A virus (H5N1) vaccine could provide complete protection of chickens and mice from lethal challenge of homologous and heterologous H5N1 avian influenza viruses. Furthermore, naturally occurring strains of NDV have demonstrated oncolytic therapeutic potency in preclinical and clinical studies. With the development of reverse genetics technology, modifications of oncolytic NDVs resulting in increased targeting and oncolytic potency become feasible. Such strategies may become a promising novel therapeutic approach against cancers. Therefore, NDV can be used as a vaccine vector to immunize against emerging or reemerging pathogens and may have great potential to be used for cancer treatment in the future.

Keywords: Newcastle disease virus, vaccine vector, reverse genetics, infectious disease, cancer treatment.