Experimental Virus Treatment For Childhood Brain Cancer Shows Promise
An experimental virus-based treatment for an often deadly childhood brain tumor called glioma could give families new hope, researchers say.
Gliomas account for 8% to 10% of childhood brain tumors and are typically treated with surgery, chemotherapy or radiation. But they often recur and survival in such cases averages just under six months, the Associated Press reported.
The new treatment involves using tiny tubes to drip millions of copies of genetically-modified herpes virus directly into the brain tumors to trigger an immune system attack. The altered virus infects only cancer cells.