Feb. 1, 2013 A genetically reprogrammed Herpes simplex virus
(HSV) can cure metastatic diffusion of human cancer cells in the
abdomen of laboratory mice, according to a new study published
January 31 in the Open Access journal PLOS Pathogens. The paper
reports on the collaborative research from scientists at the at
the University of Bologna and specifically describes that the
HSV converted into a therapeutic anticancer agent attacks breast
and ovarian cancer metastases. Past decades have witnessed
significant progress in the ability to treat numerous cancers by
means of surgery, chemo- and radio-therapy, or combinations
thereof. However, many treatments prolong life for a short time
only, or are associated with a poor quality of life. Lead
investigator Gabriella Campadelli-Fiume and colleagues re-
engineered the entry apparatus of a candidate oncolytic
herpesvirus. The reprogrammed virus no longer infects the cells
usually targeted by the wild-type virus, nor does it cause
herpes-related pathologies. Rather, i