Helping earthquake victims!: Treating cancer with viruses

Every sixth person worldwide dies from cancer!

With common cancer therapies such as chemotherapy, surgery and radioactive radiation, cancer diseases can best be treated in the early stages. Once metastases have formed, these treatment methods must focus on prolonging life; healing can usually no longer be achieved.

New cancer therapies
New cancer therapies are increasingly complementing treatments that have been tried and tested for some time. Targeted therapies act on cancer cells that have special characteristics. The therapies do not work on cells without these characteristics. Immunotherapies use the body’s natural disease defense system to fight cancer. At a Virotherapie Modified viruses are used to attack and destroy cancer cells in a targeted manner. Such forms of therapy can now be used to treat some, but not all, patients. They are used particularly frequently when the disease has progressed.

The cancer doctor (oncologist) decides whether there is a suitable, targeted therapy for the patient at all.

Viruses are actually our enemies. But in cancer therapy, they can become unexpected helpers. Because viruses are able to infect cancer cells particularly well and destroy them very efficiently.

Die Virologist Univ.-Prof. Dorothee von Laer and her team from Vira Therapeutics use genetically modified oncolytic (i.e. cancer-destroying) viruses in their already patented process. These multiply exclusively in cancer cells and thereby destroy a tumor without damaging healthy tissue. This form of therapy has great potential, especially in the treatment of metastasizing tumors.

Speech
In her lecture on February 14th, 2023 in the Haydnbräu in Eisenstadt, the virologist Prof. Dr. von Laer on the current status of research, approval and use of this novel therapy. Since 2004, oncolytic viruses have already been approved for certain indications in some countries around the world. A significant improvement in effectiveness was observed to varying degrees. Work is still underway to increase the safety and effectiveness of virotherapy. Cancer patients can make themselves available for study purposes.

In summary it was found:
• Oncolytic viruses are a new strategy for cancer treatment.
• They destroy tumor cells and stimulate the immune response once morest cancer.
• Various oncolytic viruses are currently under development.
• Internationally, however, only a weakened herpes simplex virus once morest melanoma is currently approved.
• Oncolytic viruses only work in some of the patients, but in some cases they work surprisingly well.
• Why the response to oncolytic viruses is so variable is unclear.
• Oncolytic viruses are used in combination therapies with other immunotherapies.

At the end, the speaker was available for questions. President Mag. Peter Bolech of Lions Club Eisenstadt Prof. von Laer for the excellent lecture with a bouquet of flowers and a donation of wine.

€1,875 for the earthquake victims

The proceeds from the donations of the participants in the amount of 875 € as well as further support for the Lions Club Eisenstadt €1,000 was transferred to the Lions donation account for the earthquake victims in the Syrian-Turkish border area.

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