A few companies are exploring virus-based treatments of certain cancers, such as those caused by mutations in the Ras or P53 pathways. The idea is that, since the virus requires the cancer mutation to replicate, it will kill cancer cells and not healthy cells.
Cancers with Ras/P53 mutations account for a significant portion of all cancers, leading optimists to hope that viral treatments will be broadly applicable. The market potential could be huge.
Is this realistic? How secure is the intellectual property? Are techniques for controlling host immune response necessary? |
