Zika Virus Can Combat Central Nervous System Tumors

From Zika News
April 5, 2020

Researchers in Brazil recently reported proving the potential of the Zika virus to combat advanced-stage central nervous system tumors in dogs. 

Elderly dogs with spontaneous brain tumors were treated with injections of Zika by scientists affiliated with the Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center (HUG-CELL) supported by São Paulo Research Foundation – FAPESP and hosted by the University of São Paulo (USP).

According to Oswaldo Keith Okamoto, a professor and a member of HUG-CELL, this data suggests viral therapy may be applicable to several types of central nervous system cancer, in both children and seniors over the age of 60. 

“These two groups tend to suffer more often than not from aggressive types of tumor, for which there are no effective treatments at present,” he said in the related press release.

The study was published on Tuesday, March 10, in the journal Molecular Therapy.

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