Agencies-Gaza post
First “patient” injected with cancer killer virus
Scientists injected the first human patient with a “cancer killer virus” that has been shown to reduce solid tumors in animals.
The virus, known as Vaxinia, has been genetically altered to infect and kill cancer cells while preserving healthy cells.
Tests on animals showed that it was able to reduce the volume of colon, lung, breast, ovarian, and pancreatic tumors, while other immunotherapies were effective in some cancers.
Conversely, Vaxinia can activate the patient’s immune system and increase the level of a protein called PD-L1 in tumors, making immunotherapy more effective against cancer.
Vaxinia (full name CF33-hNIS VAXINIA) is a type of “tumor virus” – a virus found in nature that is specifically genetically modified for cancer control.
It is developed by Imugene Limited, a company specializing in new treatments that activate the immune system against cancer.
Dunning told me. Dr., Principal Researcher and Assistant Professor in the Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research in Hope City: “Our previous research has shown that tumor viruses can induce the immune system to respond to and kill cancer, as well as stimulate the immune system to be more responsive to other immunotherapies, including checkpoint inhibitors”.
“Now is the time to strengthen immunotherapy, and we believe that CF33-hNIS has the potential to improve outcomes for our patients in their battle with cancer.”
The first phase of the clinical trial aims to recruit 100 cancer patients with rigid tumors that are widespread or advanced across nearly 10 pilot sites in the United States and Australia.
It is expected to last for approximately 24 months.
Patients will start receiving a low dose of Vaxinia, either directly by injection into tumors or intravenously.
Once Vaxina is proven safe, some participants will also receive an immunotherapy drug called pembrolizumab, which improves the immune system’s ability to fight cancer-causing cells.
