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How can viruses become revolutionaries in cancer treatment? Discover the miracle of tumor dissolution!
In the medical community, more and more research supports that viruses can be an effective weapon against cancer, and this new treatment is gradually entering the public eye. Oncolytic viruses are viruses that specialize in infecting and destroying cancer cells. The cell death caused by these viruses after infecting cancer cells will also release new virus particles, which then attack the remaining tumor tissue. In addition, tumor lytic viruses can not only directly kill tumor cells, but also stimulate the host's anti-tumor immune response and change the tumor microenvironment.
"Since the early 20th century, scientists have discovered the link between cancer and viruses and viewed it as a potential treatment."
The potential of tumor-lytic viruses was first suggested in the early 20th century, but it was not until the 1960s that organized research began. Currently, several viruses, such as adenovirus, reovirus, measles virus, and vesicular stomatitis virus, have been tested clinically. Some viruses have been genetically engineered to enhance tumor selectivity, and some naturally occurring viruses, such as reovirus and Seneca virus, have also been used in clinical trials for tumor treatment.
"The tumor selectivity of viruses makes them an exciting area of research for cancer treatment."
In 2004, the Latvian ECHO-7 strain became the first tumor-lytic virus to receive approval from national regulatory agencies for the treatment of cutaneous melanoma. But in 2019, the drug's approval was withdrawn due to controversy over the drug's effectiveness. As research deepened, China approved a genetically modified adenovirus called H101 in 2005 for the treatment of head and neck cancer. In 2015, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the tumor-lytic herpesvirus T-VEC, providing a new treatment method for inoperable advanced melanoma.
Historical background: the subtle relationship between viruses and cancer
The link between cancer regression and viruses has a long history, with case reports from the early 20th century showing that some patients experienced a return of their cancer after being vaccinated or infected with viruses unrelated to cancer. Subsequently, scientists began to explore ways to treat cancer through immune vaccines or virotherapy (intentional infection with viruses). Although the technology to create custom viruses was lacking at the time, researchers focused on finding naturally occurring tumor-lytic viruses, such as poliovirus and adenovirus.
In the 1960s, scientific research, albeit slowly, began to notice the effectiveness of using tumor-lytic viruses against certain cancers. However, this area was once neglected due to various side effects, such as difficulties in controlling infection and adverse effects on immune responses. Nowadays, with the increasing demand for anti-cancer therapies and the development of related technologies, viruses have regained the greatest attention as potential cancer treatments.
Mechanism of action of tumor lytic viruses
With the advancement of immunotherapy, tumor lytic viruses have also begun to be combined with cancer immunotherapy. One of the main considerations in this treatment approach is how to overcome the patient's immune system's natural resistance to the virus. This resistance is particularly difficult when administered intravenously, because the virus must survive in the blood and avoid rapid clearance by antibodies.
"In some studies, tumor-lytic viruses can effectively direct the immune system to respond."
However, viruses can also use the host's immune system to enhance anti-cancer effects: when tumor cells are infected by viruses and die, they release tumor antigens, attracting immune cells to further attack the tumor. In addition, many studies have found that the innate immune system can be a good helper in tumor treatment in some cases.
Future Developments: The Potential of Tumor Lytic Viruses
The development of certain oncolytic viruses demonstrates their success in clinical applications. For example, the rapid replication ability of vesicular stomatitis virus makes it a potential treatment option, as it can spread in large numbers in a short period of time and specifically attack tumor cells. Moreover, these viruses can also be genetically modified to more selectively target specific tumor cells and reduce damage to normal cells.
In addition, future research may focus on how to exploit the interaction between microorganisms and cancer cells to further enhance the efficacy of tumor-lytic viruses. Scientists are exploring the use of various techniques such as directed evolution and gene attenuation to create smarter therapies to improve the clinical application possibilities of tumor-lytic viruses.
"The relationship between viruses and cancer is deep and complex, and future research will reveal more potential treatments."
In conclusion, tumor lytic viruses not only show good anti-tumor effects in the laboratory stage, but are more likely to become clinically important cancer treatment options in the near future. However, challenges remain in the popularization of virotherapy, including issues such as safety and efficacy evaluation. We should think about: Can viruses really become the savior against cancer in the future?
