London scientists find cancerous tumors in terminal patients are eradicated by herpes virus

By Oliver On Sep 29, 2022

A genetically engineered cold sore virus is the new hope for beating cancer after scientists discovered it could eradicate or shrink tumors in terminally ill patients.

Patients were injected with the weakened form of the herpes simplex virus that was modified to kill cancer cells in an early trial at the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) in London.

The injection is given directly into the tumor, attacking it in two ways: by invading cells and causing them to burst, and by stimulating the immune system.

RP2 was tested in 39 patients with cancers, including patients with skin, esophageal, and head and neck tumors.

A west London patient hailed the drug as a “true miracle” after he was able to return to work as a builder.

Overall, three of nine patients treated with RP2 saw their tumors shrink. Seven of the 30 patients who received the drug and immunotherapy also improved.

While larger studies are needed, the drug could offer a lifeline for people with advanced-stage cancer.

A genetically modified herpes virus is the new hope for beating cancer after scientists found tumors in terminally ill patients were eradicated by the new therapy. In the picture: stock image

Krzysztof Wojkowski, 39, was diagnosed with mucoepidermoid carcinoma, a type of salivary gland cancer, in May 2017.

After multiple surgeries to remove her tumors, she was told there were no treatment options left.

WHAT IS RP2?

RP2 is a genetically engineered cold sore virus, known as herpes simplex.

It has been weakened and modified to seek out and destroy cancer cells.

The injection is given directly into the tumor and attacks it in two ways.

It multiplies inside cancer cells to burst them from within.

It also blocks a protein known as CTLA-4, releasing the brakes on the immune system and increasing the body’s ability to kill cancer cells on its own.

RP2 was tested in 39 cancer patients, including people with skin, esophageal, and head and neck cancer.

Three out of nine treated herpes patients saw their tumors shrink.

One of them, a builder suffering from salivary gland cancer, saw his tumor disappear completely.

He remains cancer free 15 months later.

Seven of the 30 patients who received RP2 and nivolumab immunotherapy also benefited from treatment.

In this group, four of nine melanoma skin cancer patients, two of eight uveal melanoma eye cancer patients, and one of three head and neck cancer patients saw their cancer growth stop or slow.

Of the seven patients receiving the combination who saw a benefit, six remained progression-free at 14 months.

“I had injections every two weeks for five weeks that completely eradicated my cancer,” he said.

“I have been cancer-free for two years, it is a true miracle, there is no other word to describe it.

“I’ve been able to go back to work as a builder and spend time with my family, there’s nothing I can’t do.”

Mr Wojkowski added: “I was told I had no options left and I was receiving end of life care, it was devastating so it was amazing to have the opportunity to join the trial at The Royal Marsden, it was my last line of life.’

The research team hopes to move on to larger trials after presenting the study at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress.

Study leader Professor Kevin Harrington, Professor of Biological Cancer Therapies at the Institute of Cancer Research, London, said: “Our study shows that a genetically modified cancer-killing virus can deliver a one-two punch against tumours. , directly destroying the cancer cells within while also calling the immune system against them.

Consultant oncologist at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, added: “It is rare to see such good response rates in early-stage clinical trials, as their primary aim is to test the safety of treatment and they involve patients with cancers too advanced for which the current treatments have stopped working.

“The results of our initial trial suggest that a genetically modified form of the herpes virus could potentially become a new treatment option for some patients with advanced cancers, including those who have not responded to other forms of immunotherapy. I am looking forward to seeing if we continue to see benefits as we treat more patients.”

The genetically modified RP2 virus, which is injected directly into tumors, is designed to have a double action against tumors.

It multiplies inside cancer cells to burst them from the inside and also blocks a protein known as CTLA-4, releasing the brakes on the immune system and increasing its ability to kill cancer cells.

Three out of nine patients treated for herpes benefited with one salivary gland cancer patient seeing their tumor disappear completely and remain cancer free 15 months after starting treatment.

Seven of the 30 patients who received RP2 and nivolumab immunotherapy also benefited from treatment.

In the group, four of nine melanoma skin cancer patients, two of eight uveal melanoma eye cancer patients and one of three head and neck cancer patients saw their cancer growth stop or slow.

Of the seven patients receiving the combination who saw a benefit, six remained progression-free at 14 months.

Professor Kristian Helin, chief executive of the London Institute of Cancer Research, said: “Viruses are one of humanity’s oldest enemies, as we have all seen during the pandemic.” But our new research suggests we can exploit some of the features that make them defy adversaries to infect and kill cancer cells.

“It’s a small study, but the initial findings are promising. I am very hopeful that as this research expands, we will see patients continue to benefit.”