Dr Michelle Dickinson: There is some big news in vaccine science this week

There is some big news in vaccine science this week. The first human patient was dosed with a new experimental cancer-killing virus as part of a brand-new trial.  The vaccine contains a virus that has been genetically engineered to selectively kill cancer cells as well as amplifying the body's immune response to the cancer. The vaccine, called Vaxinia, is an oncolytic virus which means that it prefers to target and infect cancerous tumour cells.   Oncolytic viruses are designed to replicate inside cancer cells, and then destroy them without harming any nearby healthy cells – something that chemotherapy can't do. In addition to helping to kill cancerous cells, it also stimulates the immune system to make it more responsive to other therapies. In preclinical animal trials, the vaccine was seen to be effective in shrinking lung, breast, colon, pancreatic and ovarian solid tumours. This first set of tests is the phase 1 clinical trial and is designed to test for vaccine safety. In it, 100 patients with metastatic or advanced solid tumours who have already received at least two other forms of standard care treatment will be vaccinated. If successful, this could really open up the doors to more effective (and less damaging) treatments for cancer as we look for alternatives to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Dr Michelle Dickinson joined Francesca Rudkin. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.