S Koreans claim virus strain to fight cancer

The adenovirus was implanted with a human gene that is related to the production of relaxing, a hormone associated with pregnancy. When injected into cancerous tumours, the virus quickly multiplies in the cancer cells and kills them, the team said.

The new adenovirus can target only cancer cells and does not harm normal cells, the team said. Existing viral treatments fail to kill off all the cancerous cells.

8220;I believe we have found a way to overcome one of the great obstacles to finding a genetically altered viral cure for cancer,8221; said Yun Chae-Ok, one of the researchers. Clinical tests will be carried out from early next year over 18 months.