Herpes Viruses for Cancer Drugs

Herpes Viruses for Cancer Drugs

Herpes is known as one of the highly contagious disease that is quite disturbing. But who would have thought when the herpes virus that causes the disease it can actually be a cure for cancer. Doctors have discovered engineered herpes virus to treat head and neck cancer patients. Cancers of the head, neck, mouth, tongue and throat suffered by many people. The virus is the result of engineering works by put in a cell, then kill the cancer cells from the inside and also stimulate the patient's immune system.

Dr. Harrington explained that the herpes virus, which is also being tested in patients suffering from skin cancer, is genetically manipulated so that they can thrive in tumor cells, but does not infect healthy cells are normal. Cancer treatment has three effects, namely multiplying virus, kill tumor cells, and engineered to produce human proteins that activate the immune system and can also create a viral protein that acts as a 'red flag' for immune cells. Royal Marsden Hospital in London have used this modified herpes virus in 17 patients along with standard treatment, namely chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Reported 93 percent of patients who received an injection of the virus showed satisfactory results. The herpes virus can help kill tumors in most patients and found no traces of cancer after surgery. More than two years later, 82 percent of patients do not complain of the same disease. Only two people who relapse from 13 patients given high-dose treatment. But further research is still needed to ensure that the herpes virus can be a powerful weapon against cancer. These findings have been published in the journal Clinical Cancer Research.

Sources: ilmukesehatan.com