A new drug has been discovered that may cure skin cancer. According to a recently published report in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, a genetically modified strain of the herpes virus has been developed that kills cancer cells and stops tumor growth in its tracks. This new strain is called T-Vec, and it was previously used to treat melanoma patients during the final testing phases of a new form of drug. Unlike traditional chemotherapy treatments that kill all forms of proliferating cells, T-Vec acts very differently by narrowly targeting cancer cells instead. Researchers also discovered that T-Vec helps to boost the immunity system, another valuable characteristic for fighting cancer.

The Study

400 patients suffering from the deadliest form of skin cancer, malignant melanoma, took part in the study. Over 16% of those treated with T-Vec showed significant improvement that lasted for six months or longer. Only 2% of the non-V-Tec control group showed these same results. The treatment works by attacking the cancer cells with a two-pronged approach. The genetically modified strain of the herpes virus is essentially “neutered”, stopping it from producing the necessary protein that would normally allow the virus to infect healthy cells. Meanwhile, cancer cells begin producing their own version of the same neutered protein. This strange mutation allows the modified virus to continue to thrive within the cancerous tissues.

The Benefits

With the additional benefit of an improved immunity system boosted by the T-Vec treatment, the virus seems to develop a unique ability to detect and attack cancer cells throughout the entire body. Although scientists are unsure as to why this process occurs, the results are nothing more than extraordinary. Even secondary tumors that are not yet infected by the virus shrink and vanish completely.

Scientists are usually quick to assume that viruses are the enemies of the human body, so the evidence that the T-Vec virus can actually provide some positive health benefits for fighting cancer is especially noteworthy. The drug is currently awaiting approval by the FDA before it can be offered as a promising treatment for cancer patients.