UK scientists say a modified virus that can kill cancer cells is showing great promise. In human trials, one person's cancer disappeared, while others saw their tumours shrink.
The drug is made from the cold sore virus, herpes simplex, modified to kill tumours. The scientists say that further trials will be needed, but that ultimately it may benefit thousands of patients.
Around 40 patients took part in the trial. Some were given the virus injection, called RP2, on its own, while others also received another cancer drug, nivolumab.
A 39-year-old builder from west London, was one of the patients who took part in the latest safety trial. He was diagnosed in 2017 with cancer of the salivary glands. Despite surgery and other treatments, his cancer continued to grow.
However, the virus therapy now appears to have cleared his cancer. He was given injections directly into the tumour, which invaded the cancerous cells to make them burst, and also activated the immune system.
The finding have been presented at an oncology conference in Paris. They show:
- Three out of nine patients given RP2 only saw their tumours shrink
- Seven out of 30 who had combined treatment appeared to benefit
- Side effects were generally mild.
Lead researcher Prof Kevin Harrington told the BBC the treatment responses seen were "truly impressive" in a range of cancers, including cancer of the gullet (oesophagus) and a rare type of eye cancer. “It is rare to see such good response rates in early stage clinical trials, as their primary aim is to test treatment safety, and they involve patients with very advanced cancers for whom current treatments have stopped working," he said.
Viruses have been used before to fight cancer. A few years ago, the NHS approved a cold-virus-based therapy, called T-Vec, for advanced skin cancer.
