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Virotherapy is an experimental form of cancer treatment using biotechnology to convert viruses into cancer-fighting agents by reprogramming viruses to attack cancerous cells, while healthy cells remained relatively undamaged. Usually the viruses used are herpes simplex virus or Adenoviruses^{[citation needed]}.

It uses viruses as treatment against various diseases, most commonly as a vector used to specifically target cells and DNA in particular. It is not a new idea - as early as the 1950s doctors were noticing that cancer patients who suffered a non-related viral infection, or who had been vaccinated recently, showed signs of improvement^{[citation needed]}: this has been largely attributed to the production of interferon and tumour necrosis factors in response to viral infection, but oncolytic viruses are being designed that selectively target and lyse only cancerous cells.

In the 1940s and 1950s, studies were conducted in animal models to evaluate the use of viruses in the treatment of tumors.^{[citation needed]} In 1956 some of the earliest human clinical trials with oncolytic viruses for the treatment of advanced-stage cervical cancer were started^{[citation needed]}. However, for several years research in this field was delayed due to the inadequate technology available. Research has now started to move forward more quickly in finding ways to use viruses therapeutically.

Specific projects and products

Since about 1965 scientists of the Institute of Microbiology in Latvia found anti-tumoral and immunomodulating capabilities of ECHO group enterovirus (RIGVIR). During more than 40 years of clinical trials, preparation of melanoma adopted ECHO-7 virus had shown promising results for melanoma patients. Virus Rigvir As of 2009^[update] is the only known viral preparation with immunoactivating and antitumour properties, which has passed all stages of clinical trials and is already introduced into the medical practice since 2004.^[1]^{[unreliable source?]}

In 2004, researchers from University of Texas have genetically programmed a type of common cold virus Adenovirus Delta-24-RGD to attack glioblastoma multiforme. Later other researchers ^[2]have tried tests on mice where 9 out of 10 mice have shown degeneration of tumors and prolonged survival. A drug grade virus has been approved for clinical trials on humans in 2009.^[3]

In 2006 researchers from the Hebrew University succeeded in isolating a variant of the Newcastle disease Virus (NDV-HUJ), which usually affects birds, in order to specifically target cancer cells.^[4] The researchers tested the new virotherapy on patients with glioblastoma multiforme and achieved promising results for the first time.

The most advanced^{[citation needed]} virotherapy is that based on an engineered version of herpes simplex virus, known as OncoVEX GM-CSF, developed by BioVex. It is currently in Phase 3 clinical trials in melanoma and head and neck cancer^[5] having given a very high response rate^{[citation needed]} in previous trials in human patients.

References

^ Virotherapy news in Latvia
^ Witlox AM, Van Beusechem VW, Molenaar B, Bras H, Schaap GR, Alemany R, Curiel DT, Pinedo HM, Wuisman PI, Gerritsen WR., Conditionally replicative adenovirus with tropism expanded towards integrins inhibits osteosarcoma tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. Clin Cancer Res. 2004 Jan 1;10(1 Pt 1):61-7
^ http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT00805376?show_desc=Y#desc Clinical Trial for Delta-24-RGD for Recurrent Malignant Gliomas
^ Isracast news article on virotherapy March 2006
^ http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01161498 Study of Safety and Efficacy of OncoVEXGM-CSF With Cisplatin for Treatment of Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer

[1] Virotherapy news in Latvia

[2] Witlox AM, Van Beusechem VW, Molenaar B, Bras H, Schaap GR, Alemany R, Curiel DT, Pinedo HM, Wuisman PI, Gerritsen WR., Conditionally replicative adenovirus with tropism expanded towards integrins inhibits osteosarcoma tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. Clin Cancer Res. 2004 Jan 1;10(1 Pt 1):61-7

[3] ttp://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT00805376?show_desc=Y#desc Clinical Trial for Delta-24-RGD for Recurrent Malignant Gliomas

[4] Isracast news article on virotherapy March 2006

[5] ttp://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01161498 Study of Safety and Efficacy of OncoVEXGM-CSF With Cisplatin for Treatment of Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer

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 In 2006 researchers from the [[Hebrew University]] succeeded in isolating a variant of the [[Newcastle disease]] Virus (NDV-HUJ), which usually affects birds, in order to specifically target cancer cells.<ref>[http://www.isracast.com/tech_news/260106_tech.aspx Isracast news article on virotherapy] March 2006</ref> The researchers tested the new virotherapy on patients with [[glioblastoma multiforme]] and achieved promising results for the first time.
-The most advanced{{fact|date=November 2009}} virotherapy is that based on an engineered version of herpes simplex virus, known as [[OncoVEX GM-CSF]], developed by BioVex.  It is currently in [[Phase 3 clinical trial]]s in melanoma and head and neck cancer<ref>http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01161498 Study of Safety and Efficacy of OncoVEXGM-CSF With Cisplatin for Treatment of Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer</ref> having given a very high response rate{{fact|date=November 2009}} in previous trials in human patients.
+The most advanced{{fact|date=November 2009}} virotherapy is that based on an engineered version of [[herpes simplex virus]], known as [[OncoVEX GM-CSF]], developed by BioVex.  It is currently in [[Phase 3 clinical trial]]s in [[melanoma]] and [[head and neck cancer]]<ref>http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01161498 Study of Safety and Efficacy of OncoVEXGM-CSF With Cisplatin for Treatment of Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer</ref> having given a very high response rate{{fact|date=November 2009}} in previous trials in human patients.
 == See also ==