Common virus pitted against cancer

Rochester, N.Y. -- U.S. scientists are testing an innovation in biotherapy -- altering a common childhood respiratory virus, the adenovirus, to destroy cancer cells.

University of Rochester researchers said it's long been known relatively benign viruses can be engineered to selectively infiltrate and deliver genetic materials into more dangerous cells.

However, the current generation of mutant viruses under study has limitations. So far, they're proving to be effective only in tumor cells that express certain proteins.

Now the Rochester medical researchers have designed a new version of the adenovirus that might have broader, more powerful potential. The first experiments will be on pancreatic cancer, one of the deadliest malignancies.

"Our concept is very promising and we hope it will open the door to safer and more effective treatments," said Associate Professor Baek Kim, the study's co-investigator. "If this works, the most exciting part is that patients would be able to generate their own internal weapons to kill the malignant cells without having to endure a toxic element such as chemotherapy."

The research being conducted by Kim and Stephen Dewhurst is funded by the National Cancer Institute and the U.S. Department of Defense.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International.