Japan’s researchers develop skin cancer drug using genetically modified virus

A new skin cancer drug has been developed using a genetically engineered virus that targets and replicates only cancer cells. That's according to public broadcaster NHK who said that researchers in Japan found that 77.8% of those tested, improved.

The experimental drug, created through collaboration between the University of Tokyo and Shinshu University, is part of a growing field known as 'viral therapy,' in which modified viruses are designed to selectively attack cancer cells.

Professor Todo Toshiki of the University of Tokyo and his team conducted trials on patients with an aggressive form of skin cancer to assess whether the treatment could be effective against other types of cancer as well.

Results showed that seven out of nine patients who received a combination of conventional treatment and the viral therapy improved, highlighting the potential of using both approaches together.

With no serious side effects reported so far, researchers plan to test the treatment on another nine patients to further evaluate its safety and efficacy.

Todo said the approach may offer a new option for patients who do not respond to existing treatments. 

“If the treatment can be used for a variety of cancers, it could fundamentally change cancer treatment,” he added.

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