There is a simple explanation for the success of the experimental cancer treatment that turned Stacy Erholtz into a complete remission. She was suffering from multiple myeloma, a form of cancer of blood plasma cells. Her doctors injected a massive dose of an attenuated measles virus into her body. The genetically altered pathogen attacked the cancer cells, kicked off the process of destroying them, and recruited her immune system to complete the task. Erholtz’s cancer was cured, and she is now living a happy and cancer-free life. The success of this treatment is remarkable and it has been touted by researchers as a potential treatment for cancer.
In an effort to conquer cancer, researchers are using viruses to target tumor cells. These viruses are called oncolytic. They use cancer cells as factories, killing a large portion of tumour cells within days. They also use neighbouring cells to make more copies of themselves. When the virus kills a tumour, it spreads its particles to surrounding cells. The virus can also make tumours implode. While conventional treatments focus on fighting cancer cells, the oncolytic virus focuses on killing cancer cells from the inside.
While the Erholtz case is an extreme case, oncolytic viruses have been tested as a cancer treatment in clinical trials. This therapy combines an immunotherapy drug with an oncolytic virus to kill tumor cells. The combination of the two saved Nielsen’s life and has now been used by researchers in dozens of clinical trials. Meanwhile, big pharmaceutical companies are investing in biotech start-ups to develop oncolytic viruses.
While this treatment is not yet approved, it does have a few advantages. Unlike traditional treatments, viruses offer a range of appealing features that make them an excellent choice for cancer therapy. Certain viruses are specifically engineered to infect cancer cells and grow within them. This allows them to attack tumors while leaving healthy cells relatively unharmed. It also means that side effects are minimized, since normal cells are not targeted.
Scientists are also developing oncolytic viruses that can infect tumor cells and destroy them without harming healthy cells. These oncolytic viruses are being tested in clinical trials for many types of cancer. By modifying a virus’s genetic structure, it can be made much more effective in killing tumor cells. The first FDA-approved oncolytic virus treatment is Imlygic. This genetically modified smallpox virus is also a good candidate for oncolytic virus therapy.
Another promising treatment method is oncolytic virotherapy. It is especially useful for multiple myeloma, which has a low prognosis and a limited number of treatment options. This treatment is effective for a range of cancers and genetic mutations. While many people have difficulty believing that cancer is a virus, it is still possible to cure it. So, if you are suffering from cancer, the best course of action is to fight it at the earliest possible stage.
