Detecting a virus can cure cancer effectively

According to Kompas, a bright spot has just been found that could give hope to cancer patients after European scientists discovered a unique virus.

In the latest study, researchers from the Department of Life Sciences, the Danish University of Copenhagen (LIFE-Faculty of Life Sciences) discovered that stomatitis virus (VSV) cells have a lot of potential. more power that was not previously known.

Microscopic virus of stomatitis (VSV) is a rabies virus (rhabdovirus) . This virus has them with rabies virus, and causes a disease similar to foot and mouth disease in cattle.

The virus has two great abilities that destroy cancer cells; prevent the expression of certain molecules in latent cancer cells in the immune system.

Microscopy of stomatitis virus (VSV)

Developed from viruses that cause . foot and mouth disease

According to the researchers, some types of cancer cells are known to block the immune system's ability to detect cancer cells, and allow these cells to grow in the direction of cancer cells.

"Excessive expression seen in cancers such as testicular cancer, ovarian cancer and some types of leukemia cause damage to the immune system, reducing the patient's chances of recovery. , " Soren Skov, LIFE's assistant professor of immunology, said.

Skov is the leader of a research group that is part of a major project in the European Union to study the potential of improving treatment options for cancer by boosting the immune system. In part of his research, also published in the journal Virology, the team of researchers gave injections of stomatitis virus into human cancer cells.

"We found that VSV virus can kill cancer cells. The results also showed that VSV has a high effect in inhibiting the production of immune stimulating molecules - the activity that destroys the system. Immunity - a system to support people to fight disease to survive , " Skov said.

Important breakthrough

Skov evaluated these findings as a clear breakthrough and a leap in the treatment of cancer better. The immune system can better prevent the progression of cancer. Skov hopes that in the future these findings will replace chemotherapy, and be consistent with each patient's medical condition.

'The next step will be a clinical trial in humans. The testing and testing has been carried out in the United States, ' said Helle Jensen, a researcher from LIFE's project research team in collaboration with the Department of Health Sciences at the University of Copenhagen and the National Institute of Veterinary Medicine. at the Danish Technical University said.