Modified cold virus could provide new weapon against cancer
Injections with a genetically modified virus have shown promise against pancreatic cancer in a new study conducted by researchers at IGP, Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, and Lokon Pharma. In almost all patients, the tumours shrank.
Angelica has led the development of the virus which is called LOAd703. It is a modified adenovirus, or a common cold virus which is injected directly into the tumour, activating the immune system. Once inside, it multiplies and becomes so numerous that the cancer cell eventually bursts. A new small army of viruses then spreads throughout the body and targets nearby cancer cells.
In the new study published in Lancet Oncology, the researchers investigated whether their viral treatment could work alongside the standard chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer. They found that if they injected a tumour with LOAd703, it could disappear and they had to switch and inject another tumour. Another positive result was that the patients themselves reported that they felt well and that they were able to be more active than is usual with pancreatic cancer.