A researcher successfully treated her breast cancer using a technique she developed herself based on two viruses she created in the lab. But several scientific journals refused to publish his research because of the controversy it caused, reports the agency ANSAcited by Rador.
Virologist Beata Halassy from the University of Zagreb took this “unconventional” path, as she describes it herself, presenting her case in a study eventually published in the journal Vaccine and says that one’s own experience is “something not to be imitated.”
The result, which the magazine also talks about at length Nature on his website, sparks a heated ethical debate regarding self-experimentation.
Halassy discovered in 2020, when she was 49, that a new tumor had formed in the same place where she had previously undergone a mastectomy. In the face of this relapse, the second, she did not feel able to face chemotherapy again, but she did not give up.
She decided to take matters into her own hands and began to study the scientific literature, using her skills as a virologist. So he adapted a therapy for his condition that is just beginning to be tested today, called oncolytic virotherapy. It happened four years ago and since then the tumor has not returned.
The researcher injected two viruses into her cancerous tumor
Oncolytic virotherapy (OVT) is an emerging field and uses viruses to both attack tumor cells and stimulate the immune system to attack the tumor. The clinical trials so far based on this technique, initially performed only on tumors with metastases, are now also considering the early stages of tumors.
One of these clinical trials, for example, is currently underway in the United States on melanoma cases. In contrast, there are no tests for breast cancer.
Halassy says she was determined to try the technique herself precisely because of her expertise in virology. The Croatian researcher decided to unleash two viruses against her tumor, one after the other: the measles virus followed by one of the vesicular stomatitis viruses, which she had worked on in the past and both used in the experiments launched then.
Measles virus and others can be used to attack cancerous tumors, PHOTO: Eye of Science / Sciencephoto / Profimedia
The drug was injected directly into the tumor for two months, during which the oncologists constantly monitored the situation to intervene with chemotherapy if things did not go well. The tumor progressively shrunk without serious side effects until surgical removal was possible.
Later, the researcher was treated for a year with a monoclonal antibody.
Analysis of the tumor tissue, infiltrated by immune cells called lymphocytes, showed that the therapy worked successfully.
Stephen Russell, an OVT specialist who runs the virotherapy biotech company Vyriad in Rochester, Minn., agrees that Halassy’s case suggests that the viral injections worked to shrink her tumor and make the invasive margins recede.
But he doesn’t think her experience is truly groundbreaking, since researchers are already trying to use OVT to help treat early-stage cancer. He’s not aware of anyone trying two viruses in sequence, but says it’s not possible to deduce whether that mattered in a single-case study.
“Really, the novelty here is that she made it herself with a virus that she grew in her own lab,” he says.
The case is controversial because of self-experimentation
Halassy says she felt a responsibility to publish her results. But she was rejected by more than 12 specialized journals, even though she wrote the paper with colleagues. The Croatian virologist says the study was rejected mainly because she was experimenting on herself.
Jacob Sherkow, a medical law specialist at the University of Urbana-Champaign in Illinois, told the journal Nature that he was not surprised by Halassy’s rejections.
He states that the problem is not so much that Halassy experimented on herself, but that publishing her results might encourage others to reject medical treatments and try something similar.
And cancer patients may be particularly susceptible to trying treatments that have not been proven to work. But even Sherkov states that it is important for the scientific community to ensure that the results obtained from such experiments are not lost.
Despite the controversy, the Croatian researcher says that she does not regret the choice made and believes that it is unlikely that anyone will try to imitate her, since the therapy she discovered in her laboratory requires considerable scientific training.
He has now secured funding to trial his cancer treatment therapy in pets.
Self-Experimentation: A Virologist’s Bold Move Against Breast Cancer
Well, well, well! If it isn’t the tale of a virologist who took her health into her own hands—quite literally. Beata Halassy, a researcher at the University of Zagreb, decided that when faced with breast cancer for the second time, she wasn’t about to sit around waiting for pharmaceutical companies to scribble their magic incantations. No, she rolled up her sleeves, channeled her inner mad scientist, and whipped up a couple of custom-made viruses in her lab. Talk about going from hot flashes to viral blasts!
The Backstory: A Tumor and a Resolution
It all began in 2020 when Beata found herself in quite the pickle—after a mastectomy, she discovered a new tumor lurking where the old one had been. Now, what’s a scientist to do when faced with the possibility of chemotherapy? In Beata’s case, it was a swift “thanks, but no thanks.” Instead, she opted for something a tad more unconventional. After diving deep into scientific literature faster than I dive into a pizza on a Friday night, she honed in on oncolytic virotherapy, a still-emerging technique that employs viruses to combat pesky tumors while giving the immune system a nudge in the right direction.
Viral Buffet: A Two-Course Treatment
Now, with all the finesse of a skilled chef in a high-stakes cooking competition, Beata decided to unleash not one but two viruses on her tumor. First up, the measles virus, followed by the slightly flashier vesicular stomatitis virus—with Beata herself at the helm. For two months, she injected these beauties straight into her tumor while oncologists provided moral support (and probably placed bets on how this would play out). And guess what? Instead of ending up in a horror movie, her tumor shrank, and surgery came around like a well-timed Netflix special!
Journal Rejections: An Academic Soap Opera
Despite her remarkable results, the scientific community was, shall we say, less than enthusiastic about her self-experimentation. Beata faced rejection from over a dozen specialized journals—like that long-lost ex who just can’t let go. Why? Because self-experimentation raises eyebrows and ethical questions. Who wants to be the one to signal to all the desperate cancer patients that they should whip out their kitchen labs and start mixing concoctions like they’re throwing a cocktail party?
And let’s be real here—cancer is terrifying. Desperate times don’t just call for desperate measures; they can make people cling to any half-baked idea that seems even remotely viable. Jacob Sherkow from the University of Urbana-Champaign commented on this very issue, highlighting that while Beata’s personal experiment may have panache, the concern is that paving the way for self-experimentation could cause more harm than good. The medical community is already rife with individuals trying unproven treatments because, well, hope is a powerful drug.
Treating Pets: A New Frontier?
But wait, there’s more! Despite the controversy, Beata doesn’t have a single regret. Who’s to say her approach doesn’t inspire or at least kick off an ethical debate? She’s secured funding to take her experimental therapy to pets next. So, Fido and Fluffy might be getting some cutting-edge treatment. Imagine the vet saying, “Sit, stay, and let’s try some bespoke oncolytic virotherapy, shall we?”
Conclusion: A Heady Mix of Bravery and Controversy
In the end, Beata Halassy’s story is a cocktail of guts, scientific curiosity, and a dash of ethical dilemma. Whether you’re a fan of groundbreaking self-experimentation or firmly entrenched in the “leave it to the professionals” camp, there’s no denying the mix it stirs up in the scientific community. So, let’s raise a glass—or perhaps a viral vector—to bravery, boldness, and the continuing quest for answers in the face of adversity!
How might Halassy’s experience influence future cancer treatment approaches and patient decisions?
Xperimentation raises serious ethical concerns, and many journals were hesitant to publish findings from such a controversial approach. According to Jacob Sherkow, a medical law expert, while Halassy’s experience is intriguing, the fear is that her published results might inspire other desperate patients to eschew standard treatments in favor of self-made remedies.
But Halassy remains undeterred, standing firmly by her decision to take matters into her own hands. She argues that her unique position as a trained virologist allowed her to conduct this experiment safely. Her results not only showcase the potential of oncolytic virotherapy but also emphasize the need for innovative approaches in cancer treatment.
### What’s Next for Halassy?
Currently, Halassy has secured funding to research this therapy further, this time extending her focus to pets. Her story not only highlights the power of scientific inquiry and personal determination but also serves as a pivotal conversation starter about the ethical boundaries in medical research. As the debate continues, one thing is clear: Halassy’s bold move has sparked interest and questions regarding the future of cancer treatments, self-experimentation, and the complex path between traditional research and novel therapeutic strategies.
Beata Halassy’s journey—from battling her own cancer to challenging the conventions of scientific research—offers hope and provokes thought. As we follow her next steps, the scientific community watches eagerly, aware that such uncharted territories can lead to groundbreaking advancements or ethical dilemmas. For now, she stands as a reminder that sometimes, taking the road less traveled can lead to unexpected, yet promising, outcomes in the fight against cancer.
