Possible New Cancer Treatment

Modified herpes virus shows promisekilling off cancer cells - with one patient seeing disease vanish

Patients were injected with a drug that was a weakened form ofthe cold sore virus - herpes simplex - that has been modified to kill tumours.One man went from end-of-life care to being cancer free.

A modified herpesvirus has shown promise killing off cancer cells - with one patient seeing thedisease vanish entirely.

Patients were injectedwith a drug that was a weakened form of the cold sore virus - herpes simplex -that has been modified to kill tumours.

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While more research isneeded, it could offer a lifeline for those living with advanced-stage cancer.

Krzysztof Wojkowski,39, a builder from West London, went from end-of-life care to being cancer freeafter joining the trial.

Mr Wojkowski wasdiagnosed with Mucoepidermoid carcinoma, a type of salivary gland cancer, inMay 2017.

Despite multiplesurgeries, he was told that there were no treatment options left, before beinggiven the opportunity to join the RP2 trial at The Royal Marsden in 2020.

He said: "I wastold there were no options left for me and I was receiving end of life care, itwas devastating, so it was incredible to be given the chance to join the trialat The Royal Marsden, it was my final lifeline.

"I had injectionsevery two weeks for five weeks which completely eradicated my cancer. I've beencancer free for two years now, it's a true miracle, there is no other word todescribe it.

"I've been ableto work as a builder again and spend time with my family, there's nothing Ican't do."

The geneticallyengineered virus, which is injected directly into the tumours, is designed tohave dual action - it multiplies inside cancer cells to burst them from withinand it also blocks a protein known as CTLA-4, releasing the brakes on theimmune system and increasing its ability to kill cancer cells.

Rare to see such promise in early trials

Three out of ninepatients treated with RP2 saw their tumours shrink.

Seven out of 30patients who received both RP2 and the immunotherapy nivolumab also benefittedfrom treatment.

In this group, fourout of nine patients with melanoma skin cancer, two out of eight patients withthe eye cancer uveal melanoma, and one out of three patients with head and neckcancer saw their cancer's growth halt or shrink.

Of the seven patientsreceiving the combination who saw a benefit, six remained progression-free at14 months.

It is rare to see sucha good response rate in early-stage clinical trials, according to the studyleader Professor Kevin Harrington, professor of biological cancer therapies atThe Institute of Cancer Research, London, and consultant oncologist at TheRoyal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust.

He said: "Ourstudy shows that a genetically engineered, cancer-killing virus can deliver aone-two punch against tumours - directly destroying cancer cells from withinwhile also calling in the immune system against them.

"It is rare tosee such good response rates in early-stage clinical trials, as their primaryaim is to test treatment safety and they involve patients with very advancedcancers for whom current treatments have stopped working.

"Our initialtrial findings suggest that a genetically engineered form of the herpes viruscould potentially become a new treatment option for some patients with advancedcancers - including those who haven't responded to other forms ofimmunotherapy.

"I am keen to seeif we continue to see benefits as we treat increased numbers of patients."

Exploiting the features of viruses

Professor KristianHelin, Chief Executive of The Institute of Cancer Research, London, said it waspossible to exploit some of the features of viruses.

They said:"Viruses are one of humanity's oldest enemies, as we have all seen overthe pandemic. But our new research suggests we can exploit some of the featuresthat make them challenging adversaries to infect and kill cancer cells.

"It's a smallstudy but the initial findings are promising. I very much hope that as this researchexpands we see patients continue to benefit."