A novel cancer therapy utilizing a modified Newcastle disease virus (NDV) has shown promising results in early clinical trials. Researchers in Nanning, China, inspired by the body's immune response to organ transplants, engineered the virus to target and destroy tumors. The study, published in the journal Cell, suggests the virus could be a valuable new tool in the fight against advanced cancers.
The research team, led by Yongxiang Zhao, sought to address the challenges of intravenous safety and inherent lack of immunity associated with oncolytic virus therapies. They modified the NDV and initially tested it on monkeys before proceeding to human clinical trials.
The initial clinical trial involved 23 patients with advanced cancers. The results indicated that the modified NDV had a positive effect in the majority of patients, with some tumors stopping growth and others shrinking. The researchers concluded that the virus "could serve as an anti-tumor drug with significant clinical translation potential for advanced cancer patients."
Overcoming Challenges in Oncolytic Virus Therapy
Oncolytic virus therapy is a relatively recent development in cancer treatment, using customized viruses to target tumors and stimulate the body's immune system. However, challenges remain in ensuring intravenous safety and overcoming the body's natural immunity to viruses. The Chinese team's approach, inspired by the immune system's reaction to transplanted pig organs, aimed to address these limitations.
Next Steps
The next step involves conducting larger clinical trials to further evaluate the efficacy and safety of the modified NDV in a broader patient population. These trials will be crucial in determining the virus's potential as a mainstream cancer treatment.
