In the UK, a modified cold sore virus is used in the treatment of cancer. As a result, one patient was treated, in others the tumors shrank.
The weakened and modified version of the cold sore virus infects and destroys harmful cancer cells. Longer studies are needed, but early results are promising for people with advanced cancer.
About forty patients have been treated with virus injections, which are delivered directly into the tumor. On the one hand, they activate the immune system, and on the other hand, they cause cancer cells to burst.
Lead researcher Professor Kevin Harrington calls the BBC’s findings “truly impressive”. “It is rare to see such good response rates in early stage clinical trials, as these are primarily intended to test the safety of treatment and involve patients with very advanced cancers for whom current treatments are no longer available. Work,” he said. .
According to Dr Marianne Baker of Cancer Research UK, the findings could completely change cancer treatment. “This new viral therapy shows promising results in a first small-scale study. Now we need more studies to see how it works. “
