Genetically modified virus therapy reduces tumor size and enhances surgical success in skin cancer study
Source: Medical Xpress, January 2025
Basal cell carcinomas, the most common form of skin cancer, occur in chronically sun-exposed areas such as the face. Locally advanced tumors in particular can be difficult to treat surgically. A research team from MedUni Vienna and University Hospital Vienna has now investigated the effectiveness of a new type of therapy and achieved promising results.
The active substance Talimogene Laherparepvec (TVEC) led to a reduction in the size of the basal cell carcinoma in all study participants, which not only improved surgical removal, but also led to a complete regression of the tumor in some of the patients. The study was published in the journal Nature Cancer.
In the study, TVEC was used, which has so far only been approved for the treatment of superficial melanoma metastases. TVEC is a genetically modified herpes simplex virus that specifically destroys tumor cells and simultaneously activates the immune system.