Modified herpes virus 'could combat skin cancer'
Conclusion This randomised controlled trial has demonstrated the effectiveness of a novel injectable immune treatment for advanced melanoma that cannot be surgically removed. The trial has various strengths, including its large sample size, analysis by intention to treat, and blinding of assessors to treatment assignment, which should have reduced the risk of bias. It demonstrated that, overall, significantly more people responded to treatment with T-VEC than GM-CSF injections. It also improved survival by an average of 4.4 months, but this only just reached statistical significance, meaning we can have less confidence i...
Source: NHS News Feed - May 27, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Cancer Medication Medical practice Source Type: news

Virotherapy: skin cancer successfully treated with herpes-based drug
‘Virotherapy’ uses modified herpes virus to attack melanoma cells and has potential to overcome cancer even when disease has spread throughout the bodyPatients with aggressive skin cancer have been treated successfully using a drug based on the herpes virus, in a trial that could pave the way for a new generation of cancer treatments.The findings mark the first positive phase 3 trial results for cancer “virotherapy”, where one disease is harnessed and used to attack another. If approved, the drug, called T-VEC, could be more widely available for cancer patients by next year, scientists predicted. Continue reading.....
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - May 27, 2015 Category: Science Authors: Hannah Devlin Science correspondent Tags: Science Medical research Cancer Skin cancer Immunology Biochemistry and molecular biology Health UK news Source Type: news

Skin cancer patients successfully treated with herpes-based drug
‘Virotherapy’ uses modified herpes virus to attack melanoma cells and has potential to overcome cancer even when disease has spread throughout the bodyPatients with aggressive skin cancer have been treated successfully using a drug based on the herpes virus, in a trial that could pave the way for a new generation of cancer treatments.The findings mark the first positive phase 3 trial results for cancer “virotherapy”, where one disease is harnessed and used to attack another. If approved, the drug, called T-VEC, could be more widely available for cancer patients by next year, scientists predicted. Continue reading.....
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - May 26, 2015 Category: Science Authors: Hannah Devlin Science correspondent Tags: Science Medical research Cancer Skin cancer Immunology Biochemistry and molecular biology Health UK news Source Type: news

Upcoming Mesothelioma Symposium Will Focus on Latest Research
Renowned specialist and thoracic surgeon Dr. Robert Cameron, who has pioneered many of the worldwide treatment advances in recent years, will host the 5th Symposium on Lung-Sparing Therapies for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma on May 2. The symposium will be held at the LeMeridien Delfina in Santa Monica, California, close to the UCLA Mesothelioma Comprehensive Research Program, where Cameron serves as director. Although the symposium is designed for physicians, nurses, oncologists, radiologists and pulmonologists, it also will be open to patients, families and anyone wanting to learn more about the latest advancements in t...
Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News - April 21, 2015 Category: Environmental Health Authors: Tim Povtak Tags: Research & Clinical Trials Source Type: news

Brain Cancer: Did '60 Minutes' Report Raise False Hope?
(MedPage Today) -- Glioblastoma virotherapy touted on CBS program is promising but preliminary. (Source: MedPage Today Primary Care)
Source: MedPage Today Primary Care - March 30, 2015 Category: Primary Care Source Type: news

Measles and Myeloma: Should You Be Concerned?
With a recent measles outbreak in the US placing attention on the disease and the measles vaccine, IMF Chairman Dr. Brian Durie weighs in on the measles and myeloma. For myeloma patients, the chance of contracting the measles is low because most adults were inoculated when they were children and are therefore immune. In fact, many myeloma patients were ineligible for Dr. Stephen Russell's Mayo Clinic measles virotherapy clinical trial because they were immune to the disease. (Source: International Myeloma Foundation)
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - February 13, 2015 Category: Hematology Source Type: news

Armed virus shows promise as treatment for pancreatic cancer
A new combination of two different approaches -- virotherapy and immunotherapy -- is showing 'great promise' as a treatment for pancreatic cancer, according to new research. The study investigated whether the effectiveness of the Vaccinia oncolytic virus -- a virus modified to selectively infect and kill cancer cells -- as a treatment for pancreatic cancer, would be improved by arming it with a gene which modulates the body's immune system. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)
Source: ScienceDaily Headlines - December 23, 2014 Category: Science Source Type: news

Armed virus shows promise as treatment for pancreatic cancer
(Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund) A new combination of two different approaches -- virotherapy and immunotherapy -- is showing 'great promise' as a treatment for pancreatic cancer, according to new research from Queen Mary University of London. (Source: EurekAlert! - Cancer)
Source: EurekAlert! - Cancer - December 23, 2014 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: news

Measles Virotherapy for Myeloma: New Clinical Trial
Earlier this year, the Mayo Clinic shared exciting results from a clinical trial conducted by Dr. Stephen Russell and his team to test engineered measles virus in myeloma patients. Dr. Russell discussed the approach during the International Myeloma Working Group Conference Series Debate in June. The Mayo Clinic is now enrolling patients in a second clinical trial. (Source: International Myeloma Foundation)
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - September 26, 2014 Category: Hematology Source Type: news

More on Measles Virotherapy for Myeloma
Last week, the popular radio show Science Friday broadcast on National Public Radio explored the exciting science around cancer virotherapy. Guest Dr. Stephen Russell of the Mayo Clinic shared his experience treating myeloma patients with massive doses of the measles virus, which Dr. Durie has blogged about in the past. eek, the popular radio show Science Friday broadcast on National Public Radio explored the exciting science around cancer virotherapy. Guest Dr. Stephen Russell of the Mayo Clinic shared his experience treating myeloma patients with massive doses of the measles virus, which Dr. Durie has blogged about in th...
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - August 15, 2014 Category: Hematology Source Type: news

Measles Virus vs. Cancer: Mayo Clinic Radio
On this week's Mayo Clinic Radio program we’ll talk about the groundbreaking research involving the measles virus to fight cancer. The process is called oncolytic virotherapy and Dr. Stephen Russell will be our guest, along with his patient Stacy Erholtz who received 10 million doses – a seemingly lethal amount – of the measles virus to treat her multiple myeloma. We’ll [...] (Source: News from Mayo Clinic)
Source: News from Mayo Clinic - July 14, 2014 Category: Databases & Libraries Source Type: news

Mayo Clinic Radio: Measles Virus vs. Cancer
On Saturday, July 12, at 9 a.m. CT, we’ll talk about the groundbreaking research involving the measles virus to fight cancer. The process is called oncolytic virotherapy and Dr. Stephen Russell will be our guest, along with his patient Stacy Erholtz who received 10 million doses – a seemingly lethal amount – of the measles virus to treat her [...] (Source: News from Mayo Clinic)
Source: News from Mayo Clinic - July 9, 2014 Category: Databases & Libraries Source Type: news

Highlights from the 5th Annual IMWG Summit: Part 2
The IMF's International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) held its 5th Annual Summit this year in Milan, Italy from June 9th-11th. Part 2 of IMF Medical Writer Debbie Birns' comprehensive report on key developments from the Summit is now available HERE. It covers geriatric risk stratification; debates on frontline treatment options; new treatment approaches, such as virotherapy and immunotherapy with transgenic T-cells and chimeric antigen receptors; and new drugs in development. (Source: International Myeloma Foundation)
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - July 8, 2014 Category: Hematology Source Type: news

Mayo Clinic News Network — Headlines 6/4/14
http://youtu.be/SNB-ufUjmnE   Mayo Clinic News Network Headlines include: Virotherapy-Virus infects and kills cancer Testing concussions on the sidelines Tick-borne illness Journalists: Video is available in the downloads. Click here for script. (Source: News from Mayo Clinic)
Source: News from Mayo Clinic - June 4, 2014 Category: Databases & Libraries Source Type: news

The International Myeloma Foundation Says Virotherapy Approach to Myeloma Could Lead to New Treatment Options
-- Mayo Clinic Team Reports a Remission in Myeloma Patient Treated with a Massive Dose of Engineered Measles Virus -- A New Path Forward in Myeloma Research Stirs Excitement in the Myeloma Community  (Source: International Myeloma Foundation)
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - May 23, 2014 Category: Hematology Source Type: news