Potential cancer breakthrough: Novel virus therapy shows promise in shrinking tumors

By: Dr. Avi Verma                                                              Picture Credit: Daily Mail

A promising new therapeutic approach utilizing a modified virus may offer hope for treating various common cancers, according to a recent study. Researchers have developed a unique method that encourages cancer cells to produce sugars, effectively making them targets for the body’s immune system.
This experimental therapy, involving a modified avian virus, was tested on 23 patients with diverse cancers, including breast, lung, and skin cancers, who had previously not responded to standard treatments. Remarkably, all but one patient experienced tumor shrinkage or halted tumor growth after receiving weekly infusions for 8 to 12 weeks. Additionally, trials on monkeys with liver cancer demonstrated increased survival rates compared to those receiving a placebo.

While experts emphasize the need for rigorous clinical trials to ensure safety and efficacy before widespread availability, the initial results are encouraging, particularly given the therapy’s potential application across a wide range of cancer types.

The treatment, known as NDV-GT, triggers an immune response akin to organ transplant rejection. The concept stemmed from research on pig organ transplants, where human antibodies readily attack sugars on pig cell surfaces. Researchers modified the Newcastle disease virus, a virus harmless to humans but potent in birds, to carry instructions for an enzyme that coats cancer cells with these target sugars. This allows the immune system to recognize and eliminate cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue.
Initial trials on monkeys with liver cancer showed significant survival benefits for those receiving the therapy. The human trials involved patients with advanced cancers who typically have limited survival prognoses.

While considered “early days” by some experts, the therapy’s ability to show promise across multiple cancer types is noteworthy. Further clinical trials are planned to validate these findings.

This new approach falls under the category of oncolytic virus therapy, which utilizes viruses to selectively destroy cancer cells. Though the FDA has approved one such therapy to date, this latest research represents a potential advancement in cancer treatment.

Cancer remains a significant health challenge, with millions diagnosed and hundreds of thousands dying annually in the US alone. This research offers a glimpse of hope for improved treatment options in the future.