Cold Sores Treat Skin Cancer

A modified herpes virus could be used to treat cancer, says researchers.

17:24 27 May 2015

A genetically engineered herpes virus that normally causes cold sores could be used to fight cancer, says researchers. Based on the trial, the virus is harmless to normal cells but releases substances to fight the disease. 

 

The study, which was published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, revealed that the virus could possibly lengthen survival years for melanoma patients. 

 

UK trial leader Prof Kevin Harrington, from the Institute of Cancer Research, London, said: "There is increasing excitement over the use of viral treatments like T-Vec for cancer, because they can launch a two-pronged attack on tumours - both killing cancer cells directly and marshalling the immune system against them.

 

"And because viral treatment can target cancer cells specifically, it tends to have fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy or some of the other new immunotherapies."

 

Meanwhile, Dr Hayley Frend, science information manager at Cancer Research UK, said: "Previous studies have shown T-Vec could benefit some people with advanced skin cancer, but this is the first study to prove an increase in survival.

 

"The next step will be to understand why only some patients respond to T-Vec, in order to help better identify which patients might benefit from it."