New study uses virus to attack melanoma cells

A new US study has demonstrated how a certain type of virus could potentially be used to combat the deadly skin cancer melanoma.

The Yale University School of Medicine researchers found that the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is highly effective in finding, infecting and killing melanoma cells both in vitro and among mouse test subjects.

Moreover, the virus showed little infectivity when it came to targeting normal healthy cells, suggesting it could be used as a potential treatment option for a condition that accounts for around two-thirds of skin cancer-related deaths.

The team now intends to examine the mechanisms affecting immunity within cancer cells in order to potentially enhance the ability of viruses to target tumours.

Anthony van den Pol, a researcher on the study, said: "If it works as well in humans, this could confer a substantial benefit on patients afflicted with this deadly disease."

More than 2,000 people die every year in the UK due to melanoma, according to NHS data, while almost 13,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.