World first as scientists use cold sore virus to attack cancer cells
Scientists have the first proof that a “brand new” way of combating cancer, using genetically modified viruses to attack tumour cells, can benefit patients, paving the way for a “wave” of new potential treatments over the next decade.
Specialists at the NHS Royal Marsden Hospital and the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) confirmed that melanoma skin cancer patients treated with a modified herpes virus (the virus that causes cold sores) had improved survival – a world first.
In some patients, the improvements were striking. Although all had aggressive, inoperable malignant melanoma, those treated with the virus therapy – known as T-VEC – at an earlier stage survived on average 20 months longer than patients given an alternative.
In other patients results were more modest, but the study represents a landmark: it is the first, large, randomised trial of a so-called oncolytic virus to show success.
source : http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/world-first-as-scientists-provide-proof-that-viruses-can-combat-cancer-10277315.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
follow me: https://twitter.com/iam_arunmathew
No comments:
Post a Comment