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.
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Rajasthan candidate arrested day after slapped SDM
Jaipur (PTI): Independent MLA candidate from Rajasthan’s Tonk district Naresh Meena was arrested on Thursday, a day after he slapped a sub-divisional magistrate during polling in full view of camera crews.Meena, a Congress rebel contesting as an Independent, caught SDM Malpura, Amit Chaudhary, by his collar and slapped him, an official said.
Chaudhary was trying to get more people to vote in the bypolls held on Wednesday. Locals had boycotted polling over a demand to include Samravta village in Uniara sub-division instead of in Deoli. Meena was supporting the villagers.
The incident led to tension in the area with vehicles being torched, police being pelted with stones and 60 people arrested.
About 60 two-wheelers and 18 four-wheelers were torched in the violence that erupted outside the polling booth. Police personnel tried to remove Meena and his supporters who sat on a dharna in Samravta village in the Deoli-Uniara assembly constituency.
The Rajasthan Administrative Services (RAS) Association called for a pen-down strike and government work was affected for some time in the morning.
Four cases were registered against Meena, including for disrupting public work and damaging public property.
