Scientists have developed a new virus called ‘RP2’ by changing the genetics of the herpes simplex virus that causes herpes. Tested in cancer patients, the virus was found to be able to shrink tumors and even destroy them in some cases.
While there is still no effective treatment method against cancer in the medical world, there is some promising news today. Scientists from the Cancer Research Institute of the University of London have discovered that the genetically modified herpes simplex virus that it can even kill advanced cancer cells revealed.
Scientists have ended the Phase 1 study of the treatment method they developed using the herpes simplex virus, which causes herpes in humans. In this study, the method on dozens of cancer patients tested. The results have been extremely positive.
Even in testing alone to measure the treatment’s safety, the treatment worked largely:
The genetically modified virus, named “RP2” in its new form, was administered individually to 9 cancer patients, while immunotherapy was administered to 30 patients in combination with nivolumab. The aim of the phase 1 study was to be able to accurately adjust the dosage of RP2 in therapy and to see how much the virus was able to shrink the cancer cell.
RP2 only applied Tumors shrank in 3 out of 9 patients observed. Moreover, something miraculous happened in one of these patients. The tumor was completely destroyed by the RP2 virus. This miraculous event occurred within 15 months of starting RP2 therapy.
Combined immunotherapy nivolumab and RP2 Improvement in 7 of 30 patients seen. Moreover, the virus has proven to be effective in different types of cancer. The rate of cancer patients and people who developed due to this virus in the group of 30 people were as follows:
- Four out of nine patients with melanoma skin cancer,
- Two out of eight patients with eye cancer uveal melanoma and
- One in three patients with head and neck cancer saw their tumors stop growing or even shrink.
Moreover, it was observed that patients were slightly affected by side effects such as fatigue while applying these treatments. Scientists believe that seeing such successful results in the Phase 1 process it’s not uncommon stated that they will continue their work.
The results were shared by the Cancer Research Institute.
RELATED NEWS
Cancer Treated in Mice with Protein from Plants: Here’s What Scientists Have Made
Source :
https://www.icr.ac.uk/news-archive/genetically-modified-herpes-virus-delivers-one-two-punch-against-advanced-cancers