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GMO virus approved for cancer trial - Expert reaction
GMO virus approved for cancer trial - Expert
reaction
27 October 2015
The Environmental
Protection Authority (EPA) has approved the use of a
genetically modified virus (Pexa-Vec) for a liver cancer
treatment trial.
The Pexa-Vec virus is the first genetically modified organism for a human therapeutic purpose that is capable of reproducing itself, to be approved by the EPA for release under the HSNO Act.
In a separate media release Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith, welcomed the approval.
"We should embrace new technologies like GM where there are clear benefits and where any risks to the environment can be effectively managed,” he said.
The SMC collected the following expert commentary. Feel free to use these quotes in your reporting. If you would like to speak to a New Zealand expert, please contact the SMC (04 499 5476; smc@sciencemediacentre.co.nz).
Assoc Prof Peter Dearden, Director of Genetics Otago, comments:
"In my opinion this is an interesting development. Liver carcinoma is a very serious condition and there are few treatment options. The treatment considered here is a targeted virus that should target and kill just the cancer cells. The virus is based on vaccinia, a virus commonly used in vaccinations. By targeting the virus to just cancer cells may be an effective and safe treatment for this condition.
"The genetic modification in this case is to target the virus, a way of dealing with the big problem of cancer treatment; how do you kill cancer cells but not normal ones? Such uses of genetic modification are very likely to become more common to deal with this problem."
Prof Graham Le Gros, Research Director of the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, notes that there are a wide range of avenues immunologists are investigating which include viruses. He comments:
"The BCG vaccine is already in use for those with early bladder cancer as a way to stimulate the immune system against the cancer.
"Today there is news of another immunotherapy approach against melanoma – using a genetically modified Herpes virus. In that article it says, “A 2013 review in the journal Molecular Cancer concluded that cancer-fighting viruses armed with genes that stimulate the immune system “are potent therapeutic cancer vaccines”.
ends
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