July 2015
Herpes-Based Virus Shows
Promise for Cancer Cure
FBI Investigates
Johnson & Johnson
Device
A surgical device made by Johnson &
Johnson has been found to spread cancer
in women. The laparoscopic power
morcellator cuts benign uterine growths
(fibroids) so tissue can be removed; it is
mostly used in hysterectomies. The FBI
is now investigating because evidence
suggests Johnson & Johnson was aware
of these problems as early as 2006 when
a pathologist alerted the company.
Another doctor alleges her own cancer
was exacerbated by the device in 2013.
And a woman in California has a list of
400 patients whose conditions seem to
have been worsened by the tool.
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Scientists in the United Kingdom
found a genetically created herpesbased virus is an effective treatment for
skin cancer. The virotherapy raises life
expectancy for patients with aggressive
melanoma and has fewer side effects
than other treatments. Clinical trials
have been ongoing worldwide for more
than three years in 64 centers across the
United States, UK, Canada and South
Africa. The artificially created virus,
called T-VEC, is a modified herpes virus
that multiplies inside cancer cells until
they burst open. After the cancer cell
is destroyed, the virus surrounds the
area and triggers a secondary immune
reaction against the tumor. If further
studies are as successful, the new drug
will be widely available by next year.
Previous studies had shown T-VEC can
benefit some people with advanced
skin cancer. This new study is the first
to prove an increase in survival. T-VEC
lacks two key genes that render it
impossible to replicate in healthy cells,
thus making it safe for patients. So far,
400 patients have been injected with
the drug every two weeks for up to 18
months. Other than flu-like symptoms
after the first few injections, there are no
other side effects. Patients with Stage III
and early Stage IV melanoma lived an
additional 41 months on T-VEC therapy,
compared to 21.5 months without the
treatment. Additionally, 10 percent of
patients had complete remission with
no detectable symptoms of cancer. An
unexpected finding is after the T-VEC
therapy, ѡ