Biomedical researchers are investigating development of new forms of cancer treatment by using viruses.
That was suggesteby Dr Mark Matfield, scientific coordinator at the Association for International Cancer Research, who noted the last ten years have seen major advancements in the understanding of different types of the disease.
New and effective treatments have been developed as a result, he said, with the trend of subdividing cancers and discovering specific ways of combating them expected to continue.
The expert was commenting after the Institute of Cancer Research released findings showing a harmless human virus that occurs naturally has benefited patients with advanced cancer when given in combination with radiotherapy.
“There is a lot of interest in using viruses as the basis for new cancer treatments and this study is an encouraging first step,” said Dr Matfield, although he added that bigger trials will be needed.