(The Sun) – A genetically modified virus that kills cancer cells and destroys their hiding places has been developed by British scientists. It targets both cancer cells and healthy cells that are tricked into protecting cancer from the immune system. Fibroblasts, the most common type of cell in connective tissues, are vital in the body’s healing process, but they can get hijacked by cancer-associated fibroblasts or CAFs.
These then help tumors grow, spread and evade therapy. The new treatment, a form of immunotherapy developed by Oxford University scientists, attacks carcinomas – the most common type of cancer. Currently, any therapy that kills the “tricked” fibroblast cells may also kill healthy fibroblasts throughout the body – for example in the bone marrow and skin – causing illness during treatment. READ MORE
