The coronavirus could theoretically be used to treat cancer. In an interview about the project of journalist Olga Kopylova “Advice, doctor!” knowledgeable
Petr Chumakov, Virologist, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Head of Cell Proliferation Laboratory of the VA Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
According to him, there has been an improvement in the condition of oncology patients who have recovered from the coronavirus. Chumakov noted that he had patients who experienced very strong relief after suffering from covid.
Chumakov noted that the ability of viruses to fight cancer has long been known. Tumor cells lose their antiviral protection, making it easier for viruses to multiply there.
According to the scientist, it is possible to use the coronavirus as an oncolytic drug. But this requires complete elimination of its contagiousness so that it does not have pathogenic properties.
At the same time, Chumakov expressed the opinion that it is hardly worth using coronavirus for treatment, since there are a significant number of less dangerous viruses for which oncolytic viruses have already been created. The scientist named the enteroviruses used to treat cancer as an example.
Chumakov emphasized that the use of viruses in cancer treatment can only be individual in nature, because depending on a particular patient, they may or may not give results.
Previously reportedScientists from Yale University (USA) have learned to stop the growth of a cancerous tumor using the CRISPR gene editing technique.
Previously at the Ministry of Health in your name Average life expectancy of Russians in 2023.