A “cancer killer” virus being tested on a patient in a clinical trial

A cancer killer virus being tested on a patient in

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[EN VIDÉO] What are the differences between bacteria and viruses?
They are microbes. They are very small and they are quite easily confused. However, bacteria and viruses are two very different things. And to fight effectively against those that cause disease, it is better to identify them clearly.

As part of a clinical trialsponsored by the company of biotechnology Australian Imugene, a volunteer with cancer metastasized and resistant to previous treatment attempts, has just been administered a virus “cancer killer”, or oncolytic for scientists. CF33-hNIS or Vaxinia is an orthopoxvirus, like that of monkeypox, modified in the laboratory to express a embarrassed human – we then speak of a virus chimerical – which makes it possible to follow replication in cells and increase its anti-cancer properties.

The latter is able to infect and kill cancer cells while sparing healthy ones. When the cancer cell dies, it releases virus particles that stimulate the immune systemparticularly T cells specialized in the destruction of tumors, which then attack their neighbors. ” Our previous research has shown that oncolytic viruses can stimulate the immune system to kill cancer and make it more reagent to other immunotherapies », explains Dareng Li, the principal investigator of this clinical trial.

A new approach to cancer on the test bench

The clinical trial will test the safety and tolerance of CF33-hNIS alone or in combination with a therapeutic antibody, pembrolizumab, already authorized to treat several cancers. Secondly, the scientists will analyze the ability of the oncolytic virus to reduce the size of tumors.

The real effectiveness of this treatment anticancer will only be estimated during the later stages of the clinical trial. The investigators hope to enroll a hundred volunteers, adults and suffering from any type of tumor solidacross the United States and Australia.

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