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Cold Sore Virus Used to Treat Melanoma

PROMISING

According to new study.

cheats/2015/05/27/cold-sore-virus-used-to-treat-melanoma/150527-cancer-herpes-cheat_puy9bc
© Stefan Wermuth / Reuters

Scientists have successfully treated some cases of melanoma with a genetically engineered version of Herpes Simplex 1, which is known for causing cold sores and some cases of genital herpes, according to a study published Tuesday in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. The modified version, Talimogene Laherparepvec, or T-Vec, could extend survival by years, but only for some melanoma patients. The study involved 436 patients who had inoperable malignant melanoma, with T-Vec treatment showing results in 16.3 percent of patients at the six-month mark compared to 2.1 percent taking the control therapy. T-Vec is in a Phase III clinical trial and is awaiting FDA approval.

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