Viral therapy

Viral therapy is a form of treatment that uses biologically engineered viruses to treat disease, most commonly cancer. This method of treatment is a part of gene therapy, which uses genetic material to fight disease.

History

The concept of viral therapy has been around since the early 20th century, when it was observed that cancer patients who contracted viral infections often showed signs of improvement. This led to the idea of using viruses as a form of cancer treatment. However, it wasn't until the late 20th century that viral therapy began to be seriously considered as a viable treatment option.

Mechanism of Action

Viral therapy works by using viruses that have been engineered to specifically target and kill cancer cells. These viruses are introduced into the patient's body, where they infect and kill the cancer cells. This is done without harming the healthy cells in the body.

Types of Viral Therapy

There are several types of viral therapy, including oncolytic viral therapy, gene therapy, and viral vector therapy. Each of these therapies uses a different type of virus and has a different mechanism of action.

Risks and Side Effects

Like all forms of treatment, viral therapy carries certain risks and side effects. These can include flu-like symptoms, fever, and fatigue. In rare cases, viral therapy can also cause serious side effects such as organ damage or death.

Future of Viral Therapy

The future of viral therapy looks promising, with many new therapies currently being developed and tested. These new therapies have the potential to revolutionize the way we treat cancer and other diseases.

Viral therapy Resources
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