Destroying skin cancer will help the new herpes virus
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Scientists to fight cancer sometimes offer the most unexpected therapies. This time, as a result of the joint work of specialists from Great Britain, the United States, Canada, South Africa, it was established that an artificially altered herpes virus will help fight melanoma (skin cancer).
The specialists modified the herpes virus in the laboratory, which is completely safe for healthy cells. Changed cells of the virus when introduced into a cancerous tumor begins to produce substances that destroy cancer cells. The results of their research team of scientists published in one of the famous scientific publications.
A new method of treating melanoma was tested on 436 volunteers from different countries and scientists are sure that their method of therapy will be a good addition to the immunotherapy, which is now used in Europe and the US. The lead author of the research project, Kevin Harrington of the London Cancer Research Center, explained the work of his team. Modification of the herpes virus was necessary specifically to ensure that the virus did not affect healthy cells. The use of infectious agents, such as the herpes virus, can act bilaterally, on the one hand, destroy cancer cells, and on the other, trigger an immune response that can adversely affect the condition of the whole organism.
Experts believe that the main advantage of conducted clinical trials involving a large number of volunteers is the proven effectiveness of the technique and its effect on overall survival (in previous studies in this field, several people participated, but even then the positive effect of therapy with the help of the herpes virus was proved) .
According to the co-author of the research project, Hayley Friend, who is also an employee of the London Cancer Research Center, further plans of the team of specialists to identify the reason why some patients are positive about the treatment, which will allow them to study the properties of the modified herpes virus.
The new drug for the treatment of melanoma, scientists called T-Vec and now their work is aimed at finding out exactly how the body reacts to the administration of the drug and what is the benefit.
Also, scientists plan to combine the treatment with a new drug containing a safe herpes virus and the currently used melanoma therapy methods, as well as the effect of T-Vec on other cancers other than skin cancer.
Melanoma is the sixth most common type of cancer and leads to death of tens of thousands of people every year. The risk of developing melanoma increases with excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays, so experts recommend using protective equipment (hats, creams, glasses, etc.), especially in summer and on vacation.
Also, experts without exception recommend every year to take a dermatological test for moles, which will help to detect the beginning of malignant changes in a timely manner.
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