Virotherapy - Cancer Therapy with Oncolytic Viruses - RIGVIR®
The oncolytic virotherapy destroys cancer cells using viruses. It is a gentle and safe treatment. Life expectancy and quality of life is increased and side effects can be significantly reduced. Virotherapy is performed an outpatient basis and after an individually tailored treatment plan. The treatment uses only one an oncotropic and an oncolytic virus, which have not been genetically modified.
Dr. Mohamed Ali Zayen of the Hyperthermia Centre Hannover has been certified at RIGVIR® by the International Virotherapy Center.
The Virotherapy consists of several injections according to a predetermined plan. After injection, the virus finds malignant tumour cells and destroys selectively (oncolysis). Healthy cells are not damaged. From research by Professor Ainea Muceniece shows that an ECHO-7 virus, is the most effective virus in oncolytic virotherapy.
The ECHO-7 virus is non-pathogenic. It is not genetically engineered. In Latvia, the RIGVIR® for oncolytic virotherapy was approved in 2004 for the treatment of malignant melanoma and is reimbursable. Based in Riga, Latvia, the International Virotherapy Center for over than 50 years researching on this form of therapy.
RIGVIR® is injected intramuscularly. Best in the vicinity of a lymph node, which is the cancer closed.
To minimize the risk of spread of metastases as long as possible, it is advisable to begin already before surgery with an oncolytic virotherapy in Hyperthermia Centre Hannover.
If no metastases are present, usually the virus is administered every 4 weeks for the first quarter. If metastases do appear, weekly injections or 3 injection in three days every 4 weeks for the first quarter is provided.
RIGVIR® Virotherapy should be continued long term. Studies show that treatment should continue for at least 3 years in order to keep the risk of relapse as low as possible. The intervals between injections may decrease with time. During virotherapy treatment hematologic and immunologic parameters are monitored.
The Virotherapy has only mild side effects. The most common side effect is a slightly elevated body temperature, this holds for 1-3 days long, or a slight chill.
The effectiveness of oncolytic virotherapy has been shown in clinical studied. In Melanoma Research from Oct. 2015 Vol . 25 , 421-426 a retrospective study was published.
The study shows that the patients with melanoma in stage IIB–IIC, after treatment with RIGVIR® have 4.39-6.57 fold lower mortality than patients under observation,according to current guidelines.
Virotherapy with RIGVIR® has been used in treatment of:
