Japanese scientists develop viral therapy that promises new possibilities in skin cancer treatment

(Patria) - Researchers from the University of Tokyo and Shinshu University have developed a new drug for treating skin cancer based on a genetically modified virus, public broadcaster NHK reported on Thursday.

Cancer "viral therapy" uses a genetically modified virus to attack cancer cells in patients with skin cancer by replicating only in cancer cells.

Prof. Todo Toshiki from the University of Tokyo and his team conducted research on patients with a rapidly progressing type of skin cancer to check its effectiveness in other types of cancer.

The results showed progress in 77.8 percent of the tested patients, seven out of nine, who received both conventional treatment and viral therapy, demonstrating the importance of combining treatments with viral therapy.

Since no serious side effects have been reported so far, researchers are expected to test the treatment on another nine patients to guarantee safety and efficacy.

Todo said that this treatment could become a new option in cases where conventional treatments have not been effective.

"If the treatment can be used for various types of cancer, it could fundamentally change cancer treatment," Todo added.