A genetically modified version of the herpes virus has produced powerful results against advanced cancers.
Researchers found that RP2, a new version of the herpes simplex virus, showed signs of effectiveness in a quarter of patients with a variety of advanced cancers.
Patients who took part in the study were diagnosed with skin, head or neck cancer and had exhausted other treatment options. This successful drug trial saw the cancer disappear in every patient.
"Our study shows that a genetically engineered cancer-killing virus can deliver a one-two punch against tumors by directly destroying cancer cells from the inside," said study leader Kevin Harrington, a professor at the University of Michigan Research Institute. Cancer.
He pointed out that it was rare to see such good response rates in early-stage clinical trials, the main purpose of which is to test the safety of a treatment, especially when they involve patients with very advanced cancer.
The findings were presented at the 2022 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress.