DOCTORS USE GENETICALLY MODIFIED ADENO VIRUS TO ATTACK TUMOR CELLS.

Researchers in Argentina say they have genetically modified an adenovirus – which can cause colds, conjunctivitis and bronchitis – to home in on cancer, killing tumor cells in patients without harming healthy tissue. Scientific journal Nature reported in October last year that cancer-fighting viruses had started to win approval. Dr. Osvaldo Podhjacer, Chief of the Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy at the Fundacion Instituto Leloir in Buenos Aires, and his team developed an ‘oncolytic’ virus designed to target both malignant cells and tumor-associated stromal cells. This is a virus, which, by genetic modification, we have restricted their infectivity exclusively to malignant cells. In spite of the fact that originally, the virus can infect normal cells and cause colds, conjunctivitis and bronchitis. There is need for immunotherapy, because in addition to the changes made to restrict the infection only to malignant cells, it also has a gene that exacerbates the immune response. Then there is a direct attack on the tumor initial and an additional immunological response which in principle eliminates the residual tumor, which was not eliminated by the virus and disseminated metastases. “These viruses are very effective in pre-clinical models of cancer, we have tested and in particular, ovarian cancer and melanoma but we also have other viruses for pancreatic and colon rectal cancer. These are non-toxic and they are as important as their therapeutic efficacy, where we have managed to reverse the levels of liver enzymes to a normal level with animals that have a tumor. These levels become very high due to the toxicity. In general terms, it allows us to qualify this virus as an ideal candidate to be taken to a clinical trial in humans beings, Read more at http://newsdaily.com/2016/04/gm-adenovirus-used-by-doctors-to-attack-tumor-cells/#mFksmxHRsSPdOXiV.99

Pet owners spend £200 for team of vets to remove tumor from eye of gold fish.

A team of vets was required to carry out the surgery on beloved fish Monty; the procedure lasted for 45 minutes. Five-year-old Monty had the life saving surgery to remove multiple tumors from his left eye. The cancerous cells had unfortunately spread throughout his back, making the already critical surgery all the more necessary.The joint team of specialist vets from High croft Veterinary Group Bristol Zoo carried out the delicate procedure using a water soluble anesthetic. Monty was able to survive so long above water because oxygenated water was flushed through his gills and eye.The family goldfish, who lost an eye to the surgery, is now back at home in Bristol where he is recovering swimmingly. source;dailymail online

CANINE CANCER TRIALS AND CANCER TREATMENT IN MAN.

MELBOURNE scientists say a new canine cancer trial has produced exciting results that could lead to a breakthrough in human treatment.Dr Noam Pik, head of the veterinary division at West Melbourne biotechnology research group Biotempus, is leading the free clinical trial and said early results were mind-blowing The 12-month trial, which is being conducted at 20 veterinary clinics around Australia, was launched in December and according to Dr Pik, several dogs had already shown signs of remission. Dr Pik said dogs were given a single dose of chemotherapy — a tablet — that did not target the tumour, but attacked (T-Regulatory) cells within the patient’s own immune system.If this trial proves effective, they plan to offer this service to canine patients within 24 months and then continue to humans. These cells suppressed the natural cancer-fighting mechanism of other (T-Effector) cells in the immune system ,if the T-Regulatory cells can be selectively killed, the T-Effector cells can get on with the job of eliminating cancer undisturbed. This method has been researched before but Dr Pik’s team has discovered a way to predict when the suppressor cells are most vulnerable — the optimum time to administer the chemo and kill the cells. The team discovered the immune system moves in cycles and can be mapped. Dogs are required to give blood samples every second day for up to three weeks, so experts can track their immune cycle and identify the best time to administer the drug. The last decade of research has shown considerable progress in the field of immunotherapy — using the patients’ own immune system to fight the cancer. The contribution of the tumor micro-environment is immense and has been previously largely underestimated. Thus, we believe it is important to aim treatment at both the tumor itself and the tumor environment with the aim of achieving more effective and durable cancer treatments. The chemo tablets cost less than $5, the treatment could potentially slash the cost of canine cancer treatment. The low-dose tablet is strong enough to correct the immune imbalance without the harsh side effects usually associated with chemo, such as nausea.