The Australian scientists’ cancer breakthrough revealed that they may have discovered a way to eliminate all cancer cell types. The discovery they have found could also make the tumours smaller.
The scientists used a principle based on a medical breakthrough that is more than 200 years old. In 1796, scientist Edward Jenner found a similar way to combat smallpox using the cowpox virus. Now, the scientists at Imugene have engineered a new virus, also based on the cowpox virus, which can kill cancer cells in a Petri dish, which was the big deal after all.
Today, Imugene scientists have created a new virus that they say can terminate cancer cells on a Petri dish. They also used the cowpox virus as the basis for creating the new virus.
The in-charge of Imogene’s Oncolytic Viral Therapy Scientific Advisory Board, Professor Yuman Fong, said that as early as 1922, scientists already know cancer cells can be killed by the cowpox virus. And this concept wasn’t that new at all. It’s just that no one ever tried this way after that.
It was because of a problem in the cell structure and its reaction. The problem then was that if they design the virus to be toxic enough to destroy cancer cells, it might potentially cause the patient to die too.
At present, cancer cases are on the rise, particularly in Australia and this alternative cancer treatment will help more people survive. Based on data made available by the National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research, approximately 2.25 million people are currently suffering from cancer in the country. Thousands more are being added to this number each year.
The Findings
Scientists have come up with new cancer treatment in Australia or a therapy known as Oncolytic viral therapy.
It is all about engineering or redesigning existing viruses that can kill a particular virus. One such example is the genetically engineered herpes simplex virus called Talimogene laherparepvec with the trademark name Imlygic. This redesigned virus is now being used to treat melanoma of the skin.
Professor Fong, when asked to explain the process used by his team, said that the hepatitis virus targets only liver cells while the meningitis virus attacks only the brain cells. Using a similar principle like chemotherapy alternative, his team looked for a virus that can target, and perhaps kill cancerous growths. Prof. Fong said he and his team believed that if they can find such a virus, it could be a huge leap in the quest to find a permanent cancer cure.
Jennifer MacDiarmid said the cutting-edge technique uses nanotechnology to create particles that directly attack cancer cells with a lethal payload of drugs, without flooding the body with toxic chemicals.
Treatments such as chemotherapy typically involve subjecting the patient’s entire body to the powerful drugs in order to kill cancer, causing debilitating side-effects that the new, targeted technique would eliminate.
In the course of their team’s research, scientists re-engineered a virus they call CF33. They then tested it against 60 various cancer cells in a Petri dish using a plate of cancer cells they refer to as NCI60 or National Cancer Institute 60.
At the end of the test, the scientists found the redesigned virus was able to terminate every cancer cell existing on that Petri dish.
The scientists then proceeded to test it on mice. They were able to use the virus safely on the mice and they also found it helped shrink the tumors.
The scientists have expressed their optimism in the ability of the re-engineered virus to target and terminate cancer cells in human bodies. They are also very positive on the notion that the virus would also help enhance the immune system to identify and destroy any remaining and hidden cancer cells.
Professor Fong expects to begin human trials the following year. He said that his goal is to target and eliminate some of the most deadly types of cancer cells such as brain cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and breast cancer.
Around 30% more cases of breast cancer are being found every day, which is why this new Australian cancer treatment will pave the way for a healthier tomorrow and moreover, greater survival period and chances altogether.
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