China’s modified virus therapy shows promise in late-stage cancer trials
FirstpostA new cancer therapy utilising a genetically modified herpes simplex virus type 1 offers hope for late-stage patients, especially those resistant to existing immunotherapies. The therapy, which uses an engineered herpes simplex virus, was approved for the next research stage last year under China’s emergency breakthrough protocol after early trial data based on 40 patients with liver cancer revealed a near-doubling in life expectancy, according to a report by SCMP. Unlike current immunotherapies such as CAR-T cell therapy and PD-1 inhibitors, HSV-1 VG161 directly targets tumours using a modified virus. The researchers found that after receiving the oncolytic virus therapy, patients were able to continue receiving immunotherapy treatments, reporting significant survival benefits in patients who took first-line and second-line therapies after VG161.
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New virus treatment kills cancer in patient after all other methods failed
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