Trojan-horse therapy 'completely eliminates' cancer in mice

An experimental "Trojan-horse" cancer therapy has completely eliminated prostate cancer in experiments on mice, according to UK researchers.

The team hid cancer killing viruses inside the immune system in order to sneak them into a tumour.

Once inside, a study in the journal Cancer Research showed, tens of thousands of viruses were released to kill the cancerous cells.

Experts labelled the study "exciting," but human tests are still needed.

Using viruses to destroy rapidly growing tumours is an emerging field in cancer therapy, however one of the challenges is getting the viruses deep inside the tumour where they can do the damage.

"The problem is penetration," Prof Claire Lewis from the University of Sheffield told the BBC.

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“
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Harnessing the body's own immune system to deliver a deadly virus to tumours is an exciting approach.”
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Dr Emma Smith

Cancer Research UK

She leads a team which uses white blood cells as 'Trojan horses' to deliver the viral punch.
[link to www.bbc.co.uk]