Cancer-destroying virus shows promise in patient trials

UK scientists say that a new type of cancer therapy that uses a common virus to infect and kill harmful cells is showing promise in early human trials.

 

One patient’s cancer disappeared, while others saw their tumours shrink.

 

The drug, which is a weakened form of the cold sore virus (herpes simplex) has been modified to destroy tumours.

 

Bigger and longer studies will be needed, but experts ay the injection might ultimately offer a lifeline to more people with cancers at advanced stages.

 

Lead researcher Professor Kevin Harrington, said the treatment responses seen were “truly impressive” across a range of advanced cancers, including cancer of the oesophagus and a rare type of eye cancer.

 

He said “It is rare to see such good response rates in early stage clinical trials, as their primary aim is to test treatment safely, and they involve patients with very advanced cancers for whom current treatments have stopped working.

 

“I am keen to see if we continue to see benefits as we treat increased numbers of patients.”

 

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Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

 

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