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Common virus could help fight liver cancer and hepatitis

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A virus that causes childhood coughs and colds could help in the fight against primary liver cancer.

Reovirus stimulates the body’s own immune system to kill off the cancerous cells, researchers from the University of Leeds discovered. In addition, Reovirus is able to kill off the hepatitis C virus – a common cause of primary liver cancer – at the same time, the team found.

These early-stage findings are important because primary liver cancer is the third highest cause of cancer deaths worldwide and, if surgery is not an option, the prognosis is poor.

Study co-leader Dr Stephen Griffin, Associate Professor of Viral Oncology in the Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology at the University of Leeds, said: “Ultimately we hope that by simultaneously treating the tumour, and the hepatitis virus that is driving the growth of the tumour, we may provide a more effective therapy and improve the outcomes for patients. Read more.