'Spy virus' could aid cancer fight

Herpes virus has been used by some cancer scientists

A virus sent to destroy cancer cells which actually sends back a progress report could help doctors tailor treatments for patients.

The modified measles virus not only kill cancer cells, but also releases a chemical as it replicates inside the body.

This chemical passes into the bloodstream where it can be tested, giving doctors a clue as to the success, or otherwise, of the treatment.

Experts are hopeful that specially-modified viruses will become a powerful weapon against certain types of cancer.

Just as some viruses enter and then destroy human cells, the new therapeutic viruses will pick on cancer cells.

However, doctors believe that different patients will respond to the viral therapy in different ways, with some perhaps needing higher, or lower doses.

The project, at America's Mayo Clinic, used a modified measles virus, which in theory should not cause illness.

Other scientists are experimenting with forms of herpes virus and common cold viruses.

Mouse testing

The virus was genetically re-programmed to produce one of two particular proteins, which are then passed out of the host cell into the bloodstream.

Different types of viral activity prompt the production of each type of protein.

In theory, the higher the viral activity, the higher the levels of the protein in the bloodstream.

We are very encouraged to now be able to intelligently look at what happens inside the body after we have delivered our measles virus

Dr Stephen Russell, Mayo Clinic

The protein, said the researchers, should not affect the way the virus attacked the cancer - or have any other effects on the body.

Dr Stephen Russell, one of the researchers, said: "After you give a virus, it's going to spread - that's what viruses do.

"There is anxiety about how it will work in different people - is it getting to the cancer cells, how is it spreading, how fast is it eliminated?

"Until now, we've had no way of answering those questions."

So far, the idea has only been tested in mice in the laboratory, but Dr Russell is hopeful that basic safety trials in humans could start shortly.

He said: "We are very encouraged to now be able to intelligently look at what happens inside the body after we have delivered our measles virus."

'Interesting'

Dr David Meredith, who is working to develop viral therapies for cancer at the Molecular Medicine Unit at St James' University Hospital in Leeds, said that while the advance would not influence the outcome of the treatment, it could prove useful.

He said: "It's interesting - this is a novel technique.

"We might consider using it ourselves at some stage in the future for the sort of systems that are available."

He added: "There are already some biochemical and immunological tests available."

The research was published in the journal Nature Medicine.