Chinese researchers from Guangxi Medical University, led by Professor Zhao Yongxiang, have pioneered a groundbreaking cancer treatment that reprograms the body's immune system to target tumors more effectively.
The therapy involves a genetically engineered Newcastle disease virus (NDV) modified to express the porcine α1,3-galactosyltransferase (α1,3GT) gene this modification causes tumor cells to mimic pig tissue, prompting the immune system to recognize and attack them as foreign invaders—a response similar to organ transplant rejection.
In early clinical trials involving 20 patients with advanced, treatment-resistant cancers, the NDV-GT therapy demonstrated promising results: 90% of participants experienced halted tumor growth or shrinkage, and one cervical cancer patient was declared clinically cured importantly, the treatment showed minimal adverse effects and did not elicit significant neutralizing antibodies, indicating a favorable safety profile.
This innovative approach leverages the body's natural immune mechanisms, offering a new avenue for cancer immunotherapy By disguising tumor cells as foreign tissue, the therapy effectively redirects the immune system to eliminate cancer cells while sparing healthy ones, the success of this strategy in early trials provides hope for patients with cancers unresponsive to conventional treatments.
The study detailing this research was published in the journal Cell on January 18, 2025, and has garnered significant attention in the scientific community and on Chinese social media platforms, as the therapy progresses through further clinical trials, it holds the potential to become a transformative option in the fight against cancer, particularly for those with limited treatment alternatives.
