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Eight years ago, a research team from Brazil’s State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) began exploring how Zika virus impacted biofluids (if at all). Within four years, the researchers found that inactivated Zika virus could actually confer protection against, or offer treatment for, glioblastoma and prostate cancer. Preclinical studies even found that this virus could prevent prostate cancer metastasis. 

However, shares an article in Laboratory Equipment, utilizing Zika virus as a prostate cancer treatment could also result in negative or potentially harmful health effects. In a study published in the Journal of Proteome Research, the researchers detailed the metabolic alterations that the virus causes in healthy prostate epithelial cells and adenocarcinoma cells. The research team studied infected cells through a metabolomic assay. Next, the researchers monitored the cells—and recorded data—from three specific time periods: five, ten, and fifteen days after infection. 

The UNICAMP research team discovered that the virus caused lipid, fatty acid, and acylcarnitine alterations. These could increase oxidative stress and, as a result, actually contribute to worsening cancer prognosis or cancer recurrence. Causing cellular inflammation, especially in the epithelial cells, could cause issues with male reproduction. 

Despite these findings, the researchers are excited to dive deeper into the underlying mechanisms of Zika virus and whether the virus could be repurposed to improve prostate cancer outcomes and reduce carcinogenic properties. 

What is Zika Virus? 

Transmitted primarily through infected Aedes mosquitos, Zika virus is a viral illness which can cause severe or life-threatening birth defects. Outside of mosquito transmissions, Zika virus may be transmitted from mother to child, through sexual contact, or through blood transmissions. It is most common in Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, and tropical Africa. In many cases, people with Zika virus are asymptomatic. However, some individuals may experience symptoms that manifest between 3 days and 2 weeks following infection. These symptoms may include:

• Fatigue and general malaise 
• Headache
• Eye redness
• Fever
• Rashes
• Joint and muscle pain
• Microcephaly (an abnormally small head size) in infants
• Neurodevelopmental defects (in infants) 

There are no treatments specifically designed for Zika virus. Patients may be treated with analgesics, antipyretics, fluid and rehydration, and rest. You can reduce the spread of risk of infection when traveling through the use of long sleeves and pant legs, mosquito nets, and mosquito repellant.