Scientists have genetically modified a strain of the herpes virus in order to use it as an anti-cancer agent in humans. Recently released, the results of a first trial indicate that this experimental treatment is effective and safe.
“We can exploit some of their characteristics to infect and kill cancer cells”
The potential of virus oncolytics to eradicate cancer cells has been explored for years. For this new study, a team from the Cancer Research Institute created a modified strain of the herpes simplex virus, named RP2. Designed to multiply only inside cancer cells and cause them to burst, it can be injected directly into tumors and acts as an alarm signal for the immune system.
« Viruses are one of humanity’s oldest enemies, as we have all seen during the pandemic explains scientist Kristian Helen. ” Our new research shows that we can exploit some of their characteristics to infect and kill cancer cells. »
« They indicate that a genetically modified anticancer virus can do a double blow, directly destroying cancer cells from the inside and mobilizing the immune system against them. adds his colleague Kevin Harrington.
The results of the first phase 1 trial testing the oncolytic therapy in 39 patients were announced at a recent medical conference in Europe. Three of the nine subjects testing viral therapy alone saw their tumors shrink in size, while significant benefits were seen in seven of the remaining 30 patients in whom the treatment was used in combination with a conventional form of immunotherapy.
An important step
This phase 1 trial was primarily aimed at establishing the safety of the treatment and no serious adverse effects were detected. Recruited patients with a number of cancers According to the team, future trials will allow us to establish more precisely the forms against which the treatment proves to be the most effective.
« It is rare to see such good response rates in early-stage clinical trials, as their primary aim is to test the safety of the treatment and they involve patients with very advanced cancers for whom current treatments have stopped working. Harrington points out. ” I look forward to seeing the benefits it will bring to a growing number of patients.. »