When the Enemy Becomes an Ally: The Virus That Fights Cancer
In a surprising therapeutic twist, the RP1 virus - a modified version of herpes - has demonstrated the elimination of advanced melanoma tumors in 50% of treated patients. What was once a health threat is now a hope against cancer 🦠➡️💊.
"We saw complete responses even in tumors that were not injected directly," highlights researcher Gino Kim In about the systemic effects of the treatment.
Results That Change the Landscape
The clinical trial revealed:
- 30% tumor reduction in most cases
- Complete disappearance in half of the patients
- Effect on untreated tumors (abscopal response)
Innovative Mechanism of Action
This combined therapy works through:
- Selective infection of cancer cells
- Immunological activation with nivolumab
- Double viral and immunological attack
Path to Approval
The immediate future includes:
- Expanded trial with 400 patients
- Possible accelerated FDA approval
- Second authorized oncolytic virus
Moral: nature continues to teach us lessons. Sometimes the solution to complex problems comes from where we least expected it... even from a virus we would normally avoid 😅.