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New type of treatment may be effective in killing prostate cancer cells

Certain measles virus strain derivatives have been shown to effectively infect, replicate in and kill prostate cancer cells, potentially leading to an effective treatment of advanced prostate caner.

A new study published in The Prostate has demonstrated that certain measles virus strains, including MV-CEA, may be effective in treating patients with advanced prostate cancer. The study findings show that this type of treatment, known as virotherapy, may prove to be effective in treating prostate cancer, the leading cause of death among males in the United States. To date, there is no curative therapy available to treat locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer. According to the study, the median survival time of mice treated with MV-CEA nearly doubled compared to the controls. In addition, in 20 percent of the treated mice, complete tumor regression was observed. The Mayo Clinic Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) in prostate cancer supported the study. “These viral strains could represent excellent candidates for clinical testing against advanced prostate cancer, including androgen resistant tumors,” says Evanthia Galanis, M.D., of the Mayo Clinic, Senior Author of the study.  The oncolytic strains of measles virus are a new class of therapeutic agents. Because they do not show any cross-resistance with existing treatment methods, they can be combined with conventional approaches. Using virotherapy in treating prostate cancer is particularly promising because primary tumor sites can be easily accessed. The agent can be applied directly to the tumor by ultrasound-guided needle injections, and such non-invasive techniques as ultrasound and MRI can be used to closely monitor treatment. The measles vaccine strains also have an excellent track record, with vaccines having been administered safely for more than four decades. News Release: Measles virus may be effective prostate cancer treatment www.godlikeproductions.com January 27, 2009  

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