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New weapon in the pipeline: GMO herpes vs Ovarian and Breast Cancer (+ metastasis!)
http://scienceblogs.com/erv/2013/02/04/new-weapon-in-the-pipeline-gmo-herpes-vs-ovarian-and-breast-cancer-metastasis/The folks in this paper took that observation in a different, but similar direction. You know how viruses need something on their outsides to interact with host cells, so they can initiate infection? Like, HIV-1 has Env? Well this group of scientists genetically modified HSV-1 to have a different receptor protein– one that included an anti-HER-2 antibody.
In other words, they slapped an anti-cancer antibody onto a virus, to help make the virus target cancer, and unable to target either its natural cellular target, or healthy tissue. HSV infects the tumor and blows it up. This isnt a far-out-there idea– Scientists are lovin GMOing HSV-1!
Their GMO HSV could kill HER-2+ cells in tissue culture.
It could kill cells that anti-HER-2 drugs had no effect on.
When they injected mice with human HER-2 cancers (ovarian), the mice that also received GMO virus lived over four times longer (normal mouse life-spans).
GMO virus reduced the tumor burden in mice 95% (ovarian line).
They didnt have as much luck with the breast cancer line– It doesnt look like any of the mice lived a normal mouse life-span, and they say only 20% of the mice were ‘long-term survivors’.
In other words, they slapped an anti-cancer antibody onto a virus, to help make the virus target cancer, and unable to target either its natural cellular target, or healthy tissue. HSV infects the tumor and blows it up. This isnt a far-out-there idea– Scientists are lovin GMOing HSV-1!
Their GMO HSV could kill HER-2+ cells in tissue culture.
It could kill cells that anti-HER-2 drugs had no effect on.
When they injected mice with human HER-2 cancers (ovarian), the mice that also received GMO virus lived over four times longer (normal mouse life-spans).
GMO virus reduced the tumor burden in mice 95% (ovarian line).
They didnt have as much luck with the breast cancer line– It doesnt look like any of the mice lived a normal mouse life-span, and they say only 20% of the mice were ‘long-term survivors’.
GMO!! Wharragbllebarrrgle!!
Sid
20 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
= new reply since forum marked as read
Sid
Shocked. Shocked I am. 
Sid
I support all science, including science aimed at carefully and ethically evaluating potential dangers of other scientific advances. Afraid to question science (especially corporate science)? Shocked. Shocked I am.
