Virus-Based Therapy Shrinks Tumors in Skin Cancer Patients
https://www.technologynetworks.com/tn/news/virus-based-therapy-shrinks-tumors-in-skin-cancer-patients-395441
Virus-Based Therapy Shrinks Tumors in Skin Cancer Patients
https://www.technologynetworks.com/tn/news/virus-based-therapy-shrinks-tumors-in-skin-cancer-patients-395441
3 Comments
SS: TVEC, a genetically modified herpes simplex virus previously approved for treating superficial melanoma metastases, demonstrated promise in reducing tumor size and simplifying surgery. The study findings, published in *Nature Cancer*, reveal potential for the therapy to aid pre-surgical preparation for patients with challenging tumor locations.
Its called ‘Oncolytic Virus Therapy’.
Its been an active area of research for quite some time but given cancer’s tendency to mutate its difficult to target with viruses that normally have very specific target receptors. Plus the body identifies the virus and eradicates it quite quickly.
Its not ready for primetime but with custom RNA based viruses, they could be be a great adjuvant for stubborn cancers. Give it another 10-15 years and I think we’ll see it regularly.
>TVEC, a genetically modified herpes simplex virus previously approved for treating superficial melanoma metastases, demonstrated promise in reducing tumor size and simplifying surgery.
I read this and wondered “what keeps the genetically-engineered herpes virus from infecting cells beyond the tumor?” You’d think the article would mention something about this… and I’m sure there’s an answer.
Does anyone know?
Edit: The reason I’m asking is because…
>Plus the body identifies the virus and eradicates it quite quickly.
Most kinds of viruses yes. But the herpesvirus family of viruses is actually pretty good at *not* getting cleared out by the immune system. So using a viral agent from this family seems like a risky choice. They’ll assure everyone it’s safe. And maybe it is… until it isn’t.