An early trial at the Institute for Cancer Research (ICR) in London revealed that a modified version of the herpes simplex virus showed signs of effectiveness in a quarter of cancer patients at the end of their lives. The infection – which also causes oral and sexually transmitted ulcers – acts on the cancer by producing molecules to trigger an immune system response and by infecting and destroying the cancer. It was tested on 39 cancer patients, including people with skin, esophageal and head and neck tumors. A West London patient hailed it as a “true miracle” after he was able to return to work as a builder. A genetically engineered herpes virus is the new hope for beating cancer after scientists discovered tumors in terminally ill patients were wiped out using the new treatment. Photo: stock image Krzysztof Wojkowski, 39, was diagnosed with mucoepidermal carcinoma, a type of salivary gland cancer, in May 2017 and after multiple surgeries, was told there were no treatment options left. “I had injections every two weeks for five weeks that completely eradicated my cancer,” she said. “I’ve been cancer free for two years, it’s a real miracle, there’s no other word to describe it. “I could go back to work as a builder and spend time with my family, there’s nothing I can do.” Mr Wojkowski added: “I was told there were no options for me and I was receiving end of life care, it was devastating so it was incredible to be given the opportunity to be part of the trial at The Royal Marsden, it was my final line of of life.’ It was tested on 39 patients with cancers including skin, esophageal and head and neck cancer, including one patient from West London who described it as a “real miracle” after he was able to return to work as a builder (stock image woman which supports patient) The research team hopes to move on to larger trials after presenting the study at the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress. Study leader Professor Kevin Harrington, professor of biological cancer therapies at the Institute of Cancer Research in London, said: “Our study shows that a genetically engineered cancer-killing virus can deliver a one-two punch against tumors – destroying directly the cancer cells from the inside while at the same time calling the immune system against them.
Oral herpes can be spread by kissing or toothbrushing
Herpes 1, or oral herpes, is the most common strain of the virus, affecting about two-thirds of all people under the age of 50. Oral herpes gets its name because, of course, it mainly causes sores or blisters around the lips. However, over the past two decades, HSV 1 sores in the genital or anal areas have started to become more common. HSV 2, or genital herpes mainly affects these areas and is less common, affecting only about 16 percent of the population. During epidemics, viruses are highly contagious. HSV 1 can be spread through kissing or sharing objects such as utensils or toothbrushes. In contrast, genital herpes can usually only be transmitted through sexual contact. Once HSV 2 enters someone’s body, it will be there for many years for their entire life, and there is no cure. But antiviral drugs can keep outbreaks at bay and may reduce the risk of transmission. Or at least they could, before HSV 2 and HSV 1 started having “sex”. Source: NHS/ Healthline Consultant Oncologist at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, added: “It is rare to see such good response rates in early-stage clinical trials, as their primary aim is to test the safety of the treatment and they include patients with very advanced cancers for which the treatments are running have stopped working. “The initial findings of our trial suggest that a genetically modified form of the herpes virus could potentially become a new treatment option for some patients with advanced cancer – including those who have not responded to other forms of immunotherapy. I’m eager to see if we continue to see benefits as we treat increased numbers of patients.” The genetically modified RP2 virus, which is injected directly into tumors, is designed to have a dual effect against tumors. It multiplies inside cancer cells to burst them from the inside and also blocks a protein known as CTLA-4 – releasing the brakes on the immune system and increasing its ability to kill cancer cells. Three out of nine patients treated with herpes benefited, with one patient with salivary gland cancer seeing his tumor disappear completely and remaining cancer-free 15 months after starting treatment. Seven of the 30 patients who received both RP2 and nivolumab immunotherapy also benefited from the treatment. In the group, four out of nine melanoma patients with skin cancer, two out of eight patients with uveal melanoma eye cancer and one out of three patients with head and neck cancer saw the growth of their cancer stop or shrink. Of the seven patients who received the combination and saw benefit, six remained progression-free at 14 months. Professor Kristian Helin, Chief Executive of the Institute of Cancer Research London, said: “Viruses are one of humanity’s oldest enemies, as we have all seen during the pandemic. However, our new research shows that we can exploit some of the characteristics that make them difficult opponents to infect and kill cancer cells. “It’s a small study, but the initial findings are promising. I very much hope that as this research expands, we will see patients continue to benefit.’
