Scientists have injected the first human patient with a new cancer killing virus. The virus, known as vaxinia, has been successfully tested in animals. However, the real test of its efficacy began with this new clinical trial.
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Scientists have just injected a human patient with a cancer killing virus
Hearing the word virus makes people think of some bad things immediately. After all, there are many deadly viruses there. However, scientists are using a new cancer killing virus called vaxinia for experimental cancer treatment.
It is understood that the virus will be able to amplify the body's immune response to cancer. The virus itself has been specifically designed to kill cancer cells. And in previous animal experiments, scientists have seen very promising results. For more than a century, this kind of virus has been a "cigarette gun" in the fight against cancer.
However, to say the least, the success of these viruses is very limited. But this time, scientists have designed cancer killing viruses that not only hurt cancer cells, but also make them easier to be recognized by the body's immune system. The researchers hope this will help the body respond more strongly, enabling it to fight back better.
Previous clinical trials of cancer drugs have also shown promising results. But in addition, vaxinia can help open new doors.
Early testing is full of hope
Of course, scientists tested the virus on animals before entering human testing. In many cases, they saw great success in reducing tumors in early animal and laboratory experiments. This cancer killing virus has shown that it can reduce the size of lung cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer and colon cancer.
With this success, the scientists decided to continue human experiments. The results seen in animals do not always translate directly into human patients. There are obviously many reasons for this, but researchers hope the virus will improve patients' chances of fighting cancer.
Currently, vaxinia will be tested in a phase I trial of only 100 cancer patients. These patients have metastatic or advanced solid tumors, and everyone has tried at least two other treatments. The researchers plan to use the drug in two different groups. The first group will only accept vaxinia; The second group will receive a virus that kills cancer and an immunotherapeutic drug.
Of course, the first phase of the trial is mainly about safety and finding the best dose. Therefore, it may not prove the overall efficacy of the virus. However, this is an important next step in finding alternative ways to fight cancer. At present, the test is expected to be completed in early 2025. Therefore, it is estimated that it will take some time before seeing any final results.