Virus that kills cancer cells offers hope to patients

Researchers announced that RP2, a new version of the Herpes simplex virus belonging to the Herpesviridae family, has a positive effect on cancer

The genetically modified version of the herpes virus has produced promising results for cancer patients. Here are the details...

Researchers announced that RP2, a new version of the Herpes simplex virus belonging to the Herpesviridae family, has a positive effect on cancer patients. 

Studies carried out by the Cancer Research Institute at the Royal Marsden Institution, part of the National Health Service (NHS), show great promise in human trials.

Is a miracle coming?

This genetically modified virus shows strong results against advanced cancer patients, according to early clinical trial results.

 Kevin Harrington, Professor of Biological Cancer Therapies, stated that the injection destroys cancer cells from the inside while also providing immunity against them.

He emphasized that it is rare to see such good response rates in early stage clinical studies. These data were shared at the European Society of Medical Oncology Congress (ESMO). 

“ The genetically engineered version of the herpes virus shows that it could potentially be a new treatment option for patients with advanced cancer, ” Harrington said.

One of the patients participating in the current phase of the study is 39-year-old Krzysztof Wojkowski. Wojkowski, who had salivary gland cancer in 2017, progressed despite the treatments. 

When it became clear that there were no treatment options left, doctors decided to take part in the RP2 trial as a last resort.

“ This was my last lifeline ,” Wojkowski said. So it was incredible to be given the chance to take part in the trial. 

"I had injections every two weeks for five weeks, which completely destroyed my cancer, " he said. 

As a result, it was revealed that all cancerous cells in his body were cleared in a short phase of virus treatment.

Approximately 40 patients tried this treatment

Doctors gave only RP2 to some of the patients who tried the treatment. To others, he gave both RP2 and another cancer drug called nivolumab. The findings are as follows:

It turned out that the tumors shrank in three of the nine patients given only RP2.

Seven out of thirty people who used the two drugs benefited.

Patients stated that side effects such as fatigue were mild.

Patients participating in the study included patients with very advanced cancer that did not respond to or was not amenable to standard treatment options. Despite this, Prof Kevin Harrington said that the injection gave positive results.

Finally, researchers state that they are just at the beginning of this path, but the results are positive.