Herpes Virus Could Be Key To Breast And Ovarian Cancer Treatment (PICTURES) | HuffPost Life

Could Herpes Virus Be Key To Cancer Treatment?

PA/The Huffington Post UK

|

A genetically modified herpes virus has been created that can block the spread of breast and ovarian cancer.

Scientists believe the virus, which has been reprogrammed so it no longer harms humans, could form the basis of a potent new cancer treatment.

The "oncolytic" herpes simplex virus (HSV) attacks especially aggressive tumours that have an over-active Her-2 gene.

Breast cancer drug Herceptin was designed to target the same cell sub-group.

When the modified virus was injected into mice growing human breast and ovarian tumours, it strongly inhibited the spread of cancer cells.

Cancer spread, or metastasis, is the main cause of death in cancer patients.

Read more breast cancer breakthroughs below

Lead scientist Professor Gabriella Campadelli-Fiume, from the University of Bologna in Italy, said: "Numerous laboratories worldwide are using viruses as more specific weapons against cancer cells, called oncolytic viruses.

"Safety concerns prevailed so far, and all oncolytic herpes viruses now in clinical trials are debilitated viruses, effective only against a fraction of tumours.

"We were the first to obtain a herpes virus reprogrammed to enter Her-2-positive tumour cells, unable to infect any other cell, yet preserves the full-blown killing capacity of the wild-type HSV."

The research is reported in the online journal Public Library of Science Pathogens.

In mice with breast and ovarian cancer, the virus prevented tumour spread through the abdominal cavity.

Breast cancer spread to the ovaries and brain was greatly reduced, but the virus did not prevent lung metastasis.

Breast Cancer Breakthroughs

Breast Cancer Screening Bra 'Catches 90% Of Tumours In Tests' (01 of14)

A bra which hope to detect breast cancer in wearers, before it can be seen in traditional scans, has shown promising early results.In a series of clinical trials, the bra successfully detected over 90% of breast tumours at a very early stage.Click here to read full story

Women With Bigger Breasts Have Higher Risk Of Breast Cancer, Finds Genetic Study(02 of14)

According to new research, a genetic link has been made between breast size and breast cancer risks.Medical News Today reports that genetics company 23andMe has identified seven single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) - or genetic variations - significantly associated with breast size.Click here to read full story (credit:Alamy)

Stress Speeds Spread Of Breast Cancer, Suggests Study(03 of14)

Stress can hasten the spread of breast cancer to the bones, research suggests.Studies of mice showed that responses to stress made it easier for tumours to take root in the bone.Click here to read full story

Breast Cancer Screening Led To 4,000 Women Undergoing Unnecessary Treatment - Study(04 of14)

Breast cancer screening leads to thousands of women undergoing unnecessary treatment despite saving lives, according to an independent review.Click here to read full story

Breast Cancer Treatment That 'Melts' Tumours(05 of14)

Cancer Research Technology (CRT) has launched a spin-out company that will develop a next-generation of High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) surgery to treat - and melt - cancer tumours.Click here to read the full story... (credit:Alamy)

New Genetic Test Could Save Thousands From Chemotherapy(06 of14)

Almost half of women with the most common form of early breast cancer could be spared chemotherapy thanks to a genetic test, research suggests. The Oncotype DX test involves the examination of genes taken from a sample of a tumour removed during surgery.Click here to read the full story... (credit:Alamy)

Breast Cancer Could Be Detected In Seconds Using Anti-Landmine Technology(07 of14)

Breast cancer could be detected in seconds using new, anti-landmine technology. British scientists have developed a revolutionary breast-screening system that uses anti-landmine technology to detect cancer in seconds. The radio-wave scanner is safer, cheaper and less painful than traditional mammogram X-rays, and unlike the current system, can be used on women of all ages.Click here to read the full story... (credit:Alamy)

Low GI Diet Reduces Breast Cancer Risk(08 of14)

According to new scientific research, eating a low glycemic index (GI) diet could drastically decrease the risks of breast cancer.Click here to read the full story... (credit:Alamy)

Fresh Doubts Over HRT Treatment And Breast Cancer Risks(09 of14)

The controversial link between hormone replacement therapy and breast cancer has resurfaced, with health experts claiming that there is no solid evidence that HRT increases breast cancer risks. Click here to read the full story... (credit:Alamy)

New Paraben 'Link' To Breast Cancer Risks(10 of14)

New scientific evidence has indicated that common preservative chemicals found in underarm antiperspirants and thousands of other everyday products, can be detected in breast cancer tumours.Click here to read the full story... (credit:Alamy)

Cancer Drugs Might Help Tumours Spread, Rather Than Preventing Them(11 of14)

Cancer drugs that are designed to shrink tumours by cutting off the supply to their blood may be doing the opposite and helping them spread to other parts of the body, a study has warned.Click here to read the full story... (credit:Alamy)

Boiling Breast Cancer Tumours 'Kills Them In Minutes'(12 of14)

A new treatment for breast cancer has been discovered after scientists found that breast tumours can be killed in minutes - by boiling themClick here to read the full story... (credit:Alamy)

Alcohol Warning To Women With Family History Of Breast Cancer(13 of14)

Women who have a strong family history of breast cancer should avoid drinking alcohol, a new study suggests. Health experts warn that women whose mothers, grandmothers and aunts have had breast cancer, are more than twice as likely to develop the disease than non-drinkers.Click here to read the full story... (credit:Alamy)

Britain Lagging Behind In Breast Cancer Survival Rate(14 of14)

The UK is lagging behind other countries on survival rates for breast, bowel and cervical cancer and has much higher hospital admission rates for asthma, research shows.Click here to read the full story... (credit:Alamy)

Related

cancer treatment ovarian-cancer-treatment herpes treatment Breast Cancer

Suggest a correction

|