Scientists have proposed to treat cancer with the help of ARVI pathogens

The search for an effective cure for cancer has long been underway, and a new study by scientists at the University of London Surrey can form the basis for the creation of a drug that can effectively fight some types of tumors. As an active component, it is proposed to use the causative agent of colds.

According to the published study, during the first stage of the tests, scientists have achieved the death of bladder tumor cells with the help of the CVA21 virus. During the experiment, viral cultures were introduced to 15 patients — a week later, the entire control group had a decrease in tumors, and in one of the patients, it completely disappeared. There were no significant side effects. At the next stage, the scientists plan to find out how effective such treatment will be in combination with immunotherapy.

In the queue — tested with a large number of participants. A tumor-destroying virus can affect cells in two ways: directly "seek out" and destroy them, or help the immune system cope with the disease.  Hardev Pandha, the chief researcher of the project, noted that there is an urgent need for new therapies, as the current toxic and ineffective.

This is not the first study in which scientists have used a common cold virus to treat cancer. CVA21 in the future can be used for the treatment of melanoma and prostate cancer.