At the meeting with Vladimir Putin, academician of RAS, Director of Institute of molecular biology Alexander Makarov told the technology of cancer treatment that can be applied to Anastasia Zavorotnyuk – native actress handed her the cells of the tumor to the Institute. About how explore viruses for treatment of brain cancer Zavorotnyuk told “MK” in the Institute of molecular biology. Engelhardt.
Recall that on Thursday the Director of the Institute, academician Alexander Makarov at a meeting with the President of the country told about the technology of cancer treatment, so-called oncolytic viruses that kill cancer cells. In particular, he mentioned that now in the Institute investigated the virus that must overcome glioblastoma Anastasia Zavorotnyuk.
– Our Institute — is the only one in the country where there is an example of the transition of the project from the research stage to practical applications, – said Deputy Director for science Dmitry gryadunov. – Is this the direction to create a virus for therapy of malignant tumors Professor Peter M. Chumakov. He set himself the task, if not cure, then at least to help the actress Anastasia Zavorotnyuk with an inoperable brain tumor.
What is this virus?
– was picked up by a number of viruses which do not attack healthy cells of the body. This modified enteroviruses, herpes viruses… But they have a specificity for malignant cells.
Pyotr Mikhailovich has managed to create a panel of oncolytic viruses that recognize specific tumor cells and is able to kill them.
– It is possible to do only in person, for a specific patient?
– Yes. We bring the tumor cells of the patient, they added the viruses and this mixture was kept in the thermostat for a certain time. During this time viruses and “learn” to attack specific tumor cells person. It works, and we subsequently see how the tumor is reduced. We have not one example of successful struggle against glioblastoma. Perhaps in the future we will be able to create a virus for other tumors.
According to Alexander Makarov, the cancer is strictly individual, and therefore each person requires a special approach.
Scientists were testing the effectiveness of treatment of oncolytic viruses in patients with recent, fourth, stage of the cancer is the volunteers whom traditional therapy is not helping. “There is quite a large percentage of cases, when there is remission and patients begin to lead a normal lifestyle and still live,” said Makarov.
At the Institute emphasize that this kind of assistance is provided to patients free of charge, but the pros��t recall: employees only perform the selection of safe and effective viruses, which are then transmitted to the medical institution where the patient is being treated.
