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There are other known viruses with the same afinity to cancer cells. See the Newcastle virus affecting chicken. Same problem: usually human immune system does c

There are other known viruses with the same afinity to cancer cells. See the Newcastle virus affecting chicken. Same problem: usually human immune system does clear it up from the blood, so it can not reach cancer cells and wipe them out. But N.virus-related cancer patient recoveries have been described. Small number studies so far.

ianai 8y ago
I wonder if this isn’t a blessing. Maybe the treatment is to inject the virus near to the tumor. That way it does it’s job but is inevitably removed, thankfully, by the body’s immune system. It shouldn’t remain in the system longer than it’s needed anyway.
- pvaldes 8y ago
  > it does it’s job but is inevitably removed, thankfully, by the body’s immune system Some virus, like herpesviruses are able to fuse with the genetic code of the host and remain there indefinitely. The inmune system will not touch it at this state normally.
  - rbanffy 8y ago
    Do people ever learn anything from science-fiction movies? This is how every zombie movie starts.
- elmolino89 8y ago
  Not if you treat the virus as a magic bullet eliminating metastases in the body. Without that property it is just a method to reduce, at it's best eliminate the primary tumor. Makes sense if surgery is impossible. But then we will probably end up with the effects of tumor necrosis. Brain storming idea: the brain itself is a special place in some way shielded from the immune system. It would be great if ie injection of the virus in a glioblastoma would work. Probably with some measures to prevent oedema
phkahler 8y ago
Inject the virus directly into the tumor(s). It should then be able to inflict maximum damage before the immune system comes along and stops it. Perhaps the use of viruses needs to be in addition to other treatments for this very reason.
- elmolino89 8y ago
  If you have an isolated tumor you try to cut it out. Except if it is in the vital parts of ie the brain. Primary tumor is not the biggest problem in most of the cases. Metastases are what kills.

ianai 8y ago

I wonder if this isn’t a blessing. Maybe the treatment is to inject the virus near to the tumor. That way it does it’s job but is inevitably removed, thankfully, by the body’s immune system. It shouldn’t remain in the system longer than it’s needed anyway.

pvaldes 8y ago
> it does it’s job but is inevitably removed, thankfully, by the body’s immune system Some virus, like herpesviruses are able to fuse with the genetic code of the host and remain there indefinitely. The inmune system will not touch it at this state normally.
- rbanffy 8y ago
  Do people ever learn anything from science-fiction movies? This is how every zombie movie starts.
elmolino89 8y ago
Not if you treat the virus as a magic bullet eliminating metastases in the body. Without that property it is just a method to reduce, at it's best eliminate the primary tumor. Makes sense if surgery is impossible. But then we will probably end up with the effects of tumor necrosis. Brain storming idea: the brain itself is a special place in some way shielded from the immune system. It would be great if ie injection of the virus in a glioblastoma would work. Probably with some measures to prevent oedema

phkahler 8y ago

Inject the virus directly into the tumor(s). It should then be able to inflict maximum damage before the immune system comes along and stops it. Perhaps the use of viruses needs to be in addition to other treatments for this very reason.

elmolino89 8y ago
If you have an isolated tumor you try to cut it out. Except if it is in the vital parts of ie the brain. Primary tumor is not the biggest problem in most of the cases. Metastases are what kills.