Herpes Virus, Potential Drug Candidates for Breast and Ovarian Cancer

Herpes Virus, Potential Drug Candidates for Breast and Ovarian Cancer

The team of Italian scientists discovered a potential treatment for breast and ovarian cancer treatment. They successfully developed a genetically engineered herpes virus to block the spread of breast and ovarian cancer. Scientists believe that the virus is no longer programmed harm humans and forms the basis for the treatment of cancer in the future.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) will attack aggressive breast and ovarian tumors, which have more than one active Her-2 gene. Engineered viruses injected in mice with breast and ovarian tumors, significantly able to inhibit the spread of cancer cells. Or metastatic spread of cancer, as reported by Huffingtonpost.com, is the leading cause of death in cancer patients.

Professor Gabriella Campadelli-Fiume, lead investigator from the University of Bologna Italy, said, "Many laboratories around the world that use the virus as a weapon to attack specific cancer cells called onkolitik virus."

According to him, in addition to patient safety issues in the use of viruses onkolitik, various clinical studies suggest the virus onkolitik only effective in a minority of tumors. "Our study is the first that reprogrammed herpes virus to enter tumor cells and infect other cells while maintaining the capacity of the destruction of the herpes simplex virus."

The study, reported in the online journal Public Library of Science Pathogens viral load that prevents the spread of tumors through the abdominal cavity. Although the spread of cancer to the ovary and the brain is reduced, the herpes virus is not able to protect the lungs from cancer.