Cancer killing viruses can also stimulate anti-tumor immune responses.

Because viruses are able to enter and kill cells, they are being actively examined for their potential to treat cancer.  Viruses that grow in cancer cells but do not harm normal cells have been developed and several are being tested in clinical trials  against a variety of cancers.  New research shows that in addition to directly killing cancer cells, infection with cancer killing (oncolytic) viruses can cause the infected cancer cells to release signaling proteins that increases the activation of cells of the immune system.  The results suggest that virus-based cancer treatments may work in several ways and have even more benefits than previously known.