British scientists submitted a paper at the 2022 European Society of Oncology (ESMO) recently, saying that their research results showed that a genetically modified herpes virus might bring hope to cancer patients who have exhausted all other therapies: a trial involving 39 patients showed significant efficacy. The researchers pointed out that the virus, RP2, is a genetically modified herpes simplex virus, which can deal with advanced cancer through "serial attacks": first destroy their cells, and then let the immune system work. Specifically, when RP2 is directly injected into the tumor, it will multiply in a large number of cancer cells, and then break the cancer cells from the inside; It can also block a protein called CTLA-4, which acts as the "brake" of the immune system; Moreover, modified RP2 can produce special molecules that stimulate the immune system. The researchers explained that they performed biopsies on patients before and after RP2 injection, and found positive changes in the tumor's "immune microenvironment" - that is, the area around the tumor. The injection led to more immune cells in the region, including CD8+T cells, and "turned on" genes related to anti-cancer immune response. The patients in the trial suffered from a variety of cancers: skin cancer, esophageal cancer and head and neck cancer. There are no other treatments available, and even modern immunocheckpoint inhibitors have no effect on it. Of the 39 participants, 9 only used RP2, and 30 used RP2 plus nivolumab. The results showed that the tumors of the three patients who received RP2 treatment only shrunk, and the tumors of the patients with salivary gland cancer completely disappeared, and the cancer did not recur 15 months later. Two other patients with esophageal cancer and uveal melanoma had reduced cancer. Of the 7 beneficiaries who received the combination therapy, the cancer of 6 had not deteriorated for 14 months. In addition, most of the side effects reported by patients are fever, chills and fatigue, which do not require medical intervention. Kevin Harrington, who led the study, said: "Our preliminary results show that for some patients with advanced cancer, including those who do not respond to other forms of immunotherapy, this transgenic herpes virus may become a new treatment option." Next, researchers hope to continue to explore the therapeutic potential of RP2 in more cancer patients. (Outlook New Times)