Scientists Saved Cancer Patient's Life By Using Modified Virus To Kill Tumour

In an astonishing development, scientists recently saved the life of a cancer patient by deploying a virus. Yep, scientists turned a virus against cancer to kill it.

Scientists at the Institute of Cancer Research and the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust reportedly used a drug made from a genetically modified version of herpes simplex, the cold sore virus. The virus then attacked tumours in the bodies of cancer patients, offering a viable form of cancer therapy.

Of course, more study of this method is required to see if it'll hold up for everyone. But as of now, the treatment has saved the life of at least one patient, BBC reported.

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Saving a cancer patient's life

Krzysztof Wojkowski, a resident of West London, was given the experimental treatment after being diagnosed with salivary gland cancer in 2017. "I was told there was no options left for me and I was receiving end-of-life care... It was devastating, so it was incredible to be given the chance to join the trial," Wojkowski told BBC.

Wojkowski claims that he has been cancer-free for about two years. Every two weeks, he received injections that were able to get rid of the cancer over a period of five weeks.

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Also read: Scientists Discover A Molecule 'ERX-41' That Kills Deadly Forms Of Cancer

The virus injections, known as RP2, are injected directly into the tumour. RP2 works by invading cancer cells, forcing them to burst. It appears that the immune system also helps finish the process.

Out of the 40 patients who participated in the trial, three out of nine who received only the RP2 injection noticed that their tumours had shrunk. Seven of 30 people who received a combined treatment of RP2 and a cancer drug called nivolumab also saw similar benefits. Findings from the study were presented at the ESMO Congress medical conference in Paris last week.

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Also read: Groundbreaking Drug Makes Cancer Disappear In All Patients Part Of Small Trial

While scientists have used viruses to treat various problems, including cancer, this research could help make the treatment more robust, with the potential of saving many lives around the world.

What do you think about this technique to kill cancer tumours? Let us know in the comments below. For more in the world of technology and science, keep reading Indiatimes.com.

References

Roberts, B. M. (2022, September 23). Cancer-killing virus shows promise in patients. BBC News. Retrieved September 26, 2022, from https://www.bbc.com/news/health-62833581

Landymore, F. (2022, September 25). Virus Modified to Kill Cancer Cells Appears to Have Saved a PatientĄ¯s Life. Futurism. Retrieved September 26, 2022, from https://futurism.com/neoscope/virus-modified-kill-cancer-cells