Viruses against cancer

Since we are normally not immune against rodent viruses, it is not immediately eliminated by the human immune system after injection. Parvoviruses kill tumors due to natural properties so that their genetic material does not need to be genetically manipulated like herpes viruses, polio viruses or adenoviruses, which have been used in other studies. Moreover, they do not incorporate their genetic material into the host cell's genome, so we need not fear that they might 'accidentally' boost growth-promoting genes.

In addition, they reproduce in cancer cells, which is particularly important for successful treatment of glioblastoma with its diffuse growth. Thus, the second generation viruses reach and eliminate even those cancer cells that have already settled at some distance from the primary tumor.

Karsten Geletneky of the Neurosurgery Department of Heidelberg University, to plan a clinical trial on the treatment of advanced glioblastomas. Glioblastoma is considered the most threatening type of brain tumor; only about half of those affected survive the first year after diagnosis.

Even innovative drugs that have been made available recently can prolong survival only marginally. Therefore, new treatment approaches for this type of cancer are urgently needed. Preparing such a trial is a tremendous effort. Thus, large amounts of virus have to be produced under controlled conditions for toxicological tests. Therefore, even a large institute like DKFZ could not afford financing a transfer of these results into clinical practice.

Continuation of viral therapy development was made possible only by funds from Munich-based company Oryx. Second, they may induce chronic inflammation and secondary tissue damage favoring the development of oncogenic processes in host cells. Viruses like HIV can create a more permissive environment for cancer development through immune inhibition, but we will focus on the previous two mechanisms in this review. Unlike traditional cancer therapies that cannot distinguish infected cells from non-infected cells, immunotherapies are uniquely equipped to target virus-associated malignancies.

All types of HPV are spread by contact touch. More than 40 types of HPV can be passed on through sexual contact. Most sexually active people are infected with one or more of these HPV types at some point in their lives.

At least a dozen of these types are known to cause cancer. Most people infected with HPV will not develop a cancer related to the infection. However, some people with long-lasting infections of high risk types of HPV, are at risk of developing cancer. HPV infections of the mucous membranes can cause genital warts, but they usually have no symptoms. There are no effective medicines or other treatments for HPV, other than removing or destroying cells that are known to be infected.

A few types of HPV are the main causes of cervical cancer , which is the second most common cancer among women worldwide. Cervical cancer has become much less common in the United States because the Pap test has been widely available for many years.

This test can show pre-cancer in cells of the cervix that might be caused by HPV infection. These pre-cancer cells can then be destroyed or removed, if needed. This can keep cancer from developing. Doctors can now also test for HPV as part of cervical cancer screening, which can tell them if someone might be at higher risk for cervical cancer.

Nearly all individuals with cervical cancer show signs of HPV infection on lab tests. But there is a vaccine that can help prevent it. If the HPV causes abnormal cells to start growing, these cells can be removed or destroyed. HPV also has a role in causing cancers of the penis , anus , vagina , vulva , mouth and throat. Smoking , which is also linked with these cancers, may work with HPV to increase cancer risk.

Other genital infections may also increase the risk that HPV will cause cancer. You can get more details in HPV and Cancer. Vaccines are now available to help protect children and young adults against infection from the main cancer-causing HPV types.

These vaccines are approved for use in females and males and are given as a series of injections shots. The vaccines can only be used to help prevent HPV infection — they do not stop or help treat an existing infection.

To be most effective, the vaccine series should be given before a person becomes sexually active has sex with another person. See HPV Vaccines for more on this. EBV is a type of herpes virus. Most people in the United States are infected with EBV by the end of their teen years, although not everyone develops the symptoms of mono. As with other herpes virus infections, EBV infection is life-long, even though most people have no symptoms after the first few weeks.

EBV infects and stays in certain white blood cells in the body called B lymphocytes also called B cells. It may also be linked to Hodgkin lymphoma and some cases of stomach cancer. Overall, very few people who have been infected with EBV will ever develop these cancers. But this number is much higher in some other countries, where both viral hepatitis and liver cancer are much more common.

Some research also suggests that long-term HCV infection might be linked with some other cancers, such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma.