‘Rigvir’ could double cancer survival rates
Scientists in Latvia have developed a new treatment for cancer virotherapy called ‘Rigvir’.
While the current leading treatment, chemotherapy, can destroy immune systems, this new treatment breaks down cancer cells, simulates the immune system and promotes cancer cell suicide.
Rigvir officially received its H2020 SME Instrument grant earlier this month, and the treatment has been said to show ‘surprisingly positive’ outcomes for late cancer patients.
A study published in July 2016 revealed that the administration of Rigvir in patients affected by melanoma stage IV M1C, small cell lung cancer stage IIIA and histiocytic sarcoma stage IV, led to a significant increase in life expectancy and quality.
In Latvia, it has been commercialised since 2004, and has successfully passed all phases of clinical trials on 2,000 patients.
Rigvir’s chief financial officer (CFO) Karlis Urbans said: “There are millions of cancer patients around the world who are in need of this unique cancer medicine.
“Rigvir is approved in three countries so far; however, other patients can get virotherapy with Rigvir via medical tourism. I hope that this grant will make cancer virotherapy available for everyone who could benefit from it. Cancer patients deserve this safe, effective and humane cancer treatment.”
Rigvir is administered through a series of injections over the course of three years. Latima, the treatment’s developers, have mentioned mild side effects including a subfebrile temperature lasting one to three days.
This contrasts with chemotherapy, which is known for the harm it causes to healthy cells.
It is thought that Rigvir will soon be available to the rest of Europe partly due to EU support under Horizon 2020.
