Croatian scientist successfully treats own cancer with lab-grown viruses
In an unconventional approach to treating cancer, Croatian virologist Beata Halassy, 49, recently treated her recurrent breast cancer using lab-grown viruses in a procedure known as oncolytic virotherapy (OVT). With the tumour shrinking significantly, Halassy was able to undergo successful surgical removal and has remained cancer-free for four years. This unusual self-treatment has sparked discussions around the ethics of self-experimentation in medicine.
The treatment, detailed in the journal ‘Vaccines’, involved injecting the tumour with viruses she cultivated herself. Halassy used two viruses consecutively – a measles virus and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), both known to target her tumour type and previously trialled in other forms of cancer. Over two months, she administered the injections with research-grade material prepared in her lab. Monitoring by her oncologists allowed her to shift to conventional chemotherapy if necessary, though the treatment proceeded without significant side effects. Ultimately, the tumour detached from surrounding tissue, facilitating its surgical removal. Post-surgery analysis confirmed an immune response, with lymphocytes actively infiltrating the tumour.
Although the approach proved effective, Halassy faced challenges in publishing her findings, with journals hesitant over ethical concerns. Jacob Sherkow, a law and medicine researcher, pointed out the ethical risks of promoting self-experimentation, as it may encourage patients to bypass standard treatments. However, Sherkow noted the value of preserving the knowledge gained from such cases.
OVT remains experimental, with some forms approved for metastatic melanoma in the U.S., but no official treatment for breast cancer. Halassy, who is not an oncologist, emphasised that her expertise in virology gave her confidence in attempting the treatment, though she warns others not to view self-treatment as a first option in cancer care.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Electorate in 9 states, UTs shrink by 1.70 crore after SIR
New Delhi (PTI): Voter base in nine states and Union territories has shrunk by more than 1.70 crore following the publication of final electoral rolls as part of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR), according to official data.
The data shared by the chief electoral officers of Gujarat, Puducherry, Lakshadweep, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Goa and Kerala on Saturday showed that their combined voter base stood at over 21.45 crore before the SIR exercise began on October 27 last year.
It shrunk to 19.75 crore after publication of their final electoral rolls this week, a net change of over 1.70 crore electors.
While the exercise, which kept the Election Commission in the spotlight, has been completed in Bihar, it is currently underway in 12 states and Union territories covering nearly 60 crore electors.
The remaining 40 crore electors will be covered in 17 states and five Union territories.
In Assam, a "special revision", instead of SIR, was completed on February 10.
Due to a variety of reasons, the SIR in the nine states and three Union territories have seen frequent tweaking in schedules.
As in Bihar, political parties have approached the Supreme Court challenging the exercise in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
