Herpes curing cancer? New study aims to prove radical cancer treatment

Strain of virus may be able to fight late stage cancer

New research published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology suggests that a genetically modified strain of the herpes virus may be capable of killing cancer cells and preventing the growth of tumors.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The herpes strain that possesses this unique ability, known as T-Vec, has been used to treat patients who suffer from melanoma, and is in the final phases of testing a new drug.

This new research is among the latest that shows the potential ability of viruses to be used to kill cancer cells in a more precise manner than chemotherapy, which uses radiation. Utilizing a virus to fight cancer may also jump start a persons immune system to fight cancer cells, too.

The study involved more than 400 patients who suffered from aggressive malignant melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.

More than 16 percent of patients who were given the T-Vec treatment showed a lasting response for half a year as opposed to just two percent of the control group who received standard melanoma treatment.

"We may normally think of viruses as the enemies of mankind, but it's their very ability to specifically infect and kill human cells that can make them such promising cancer treatments," said Paul Workman, a professor and chief executive at the Institute of Cancer Research.

Currently the drug is awaiting approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and will not be available to patients before then.

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