Polio May Be A Cancer Fighter

A form of the deadly polio virus may help combat brain cancer, according to a study by researchers at Duke University and those findings may bring hope to those suffering with other types of cancer, says a New York medical oncologist/hematologist.

“What this means to the patients with glioblastoma, and cancer patients in general, is that there are very promising cancer-directed therapies on the horizon,” said Nagashree Seetharamu, MD, of North Shore-LIJ Cancer Institute.

Work by the researchers was recently highlighted in a “60 Minutes” report that chronicled how 22 study subjects with glioblastoma brain tumors responded to having a modified version of the polio virus injected into their tumors. Glioblastoma is a fast-growing and lethal form of brain cancer.

All the subjects had previously, but unsuccessfully, gone through standard treatment with surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.

Four of those subjects involved in the Duke study, which began in 2012, have been cancer-free for the past six months, while 11 have died.

According the report, the polio treatment removes the shield human cancers put up against the immune system, which then allows the body’s own immune system to start killing the cancer.

Dr. Seetharamu said she was cautiously optimistic about the researchers’ use of immunotherapy as a cancer treatment modality.

“It should be noted that this is an early phase study and is associated with serious, life-threatening side effects,” she said. “The results of the study should encourage patients to seek information and participate in clinical trials whenever appropriate.”