Breakthrough in ovarian cancer
Published: February 23, 2005
Australian researchers have killed ovarian cancer cells in mice with a naturally occurring virus and hope to start human trials within 18 months.
Prof Darren Shafren and Prof Richard Barry, of the University of Newcastle, found the virus known as Echovirus type 1 invaded the ovarian cancer by attaching to molecules on the outside of the cells and then destroyed them.
“The next step is to see what happens when we take people with cancers and put the virus into them,” Prof Barry said.
Ovarian cancer kills more than 800 Australian women each year and at an early stage is difficult to diagnose.
Prof Barry said it was hoped the anti-cancer virotherapy would eventually prove an effective treatment for a range of cancers by mopping up leftover cells once a tumour was removed.
“The big worry for all surgeons is that theyve left a bit behind or the tumour has spread somewhere else and if its too small, you cant see it.”
Trials were at least 18 months away
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