Fabian Montano/Getty Image

A unique case in medical science has brought both hope and ethical debate to the forefront. Dr Beata Halassy, a 49-year-old virologist, self-treated her recurrent breast cancer with oncolytic virotherapy (OVT), a method that leverages viruses to target and shrink tumours. She used a self-experimentary method instead. Using lab-grown viruses, Halassy successfully managed to reduce her tumour, allowing for a non-invasive resection and sparking discussions about self-experimentation in cancer treatment. She has been cancer-free for 4 years now.

Recurrent Cancer and Limited Treatment Options

Diagnosed in 2016 with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), Halassy underwent a mastectomy and adjuvant chemotherapy, as reported by Nature Journal. In 2018, a small local recurrence led to yet another surgical removal. However, by 2020, her tumour returned, posing a tougher challenge than the previous ones as it had become inoperable and resistant to conventional treatments. With limited options and anticipating further complications, Halassy decided to make use of her virological expertise to pursue an experimental approach: intratumoral virus injections.

The Experimental Treatment: Oncolytic Virotherapy (OVT)

In simpler words, Halassy’s approach involved injecting viruses directly into the tumour site, aiming to reduce the tumour’s size and enable surgical resection. She administered two specific viruses sequentially: the Edmonston-Zagreb measles virus strain (MeV) and the vesicular stomatitis virus Indiana strain (VSV), both of which she cultivated in her laboratory. 

Virus Selection and Protocol

1. Measles Virus (MeV): MeV targets certain cell surface receptors highly expressed in breast cancer cells, such as CD46 and nectin-4. Over three weeks, Halassy administered seven MeV injections at intervals of three to four days.   

2. Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV): After the initial MeV injections, she followed up with three doses of VSV over two-week intervals. Although VSV poses minimal risk to humans, it can induce flu-like symptoms. In Halassy’s case, only mild side effects were observed, mainly fever and mild discomfort.

Treatment Outcome: A Promising Response

Remarkably, within two months, Halassy’s tumour reduced significantly, from a 2.47 cm³ solid mass to a softer, mobile nodule that was easily excised. Imaging studies were used to understand these changes, showing that the tumour was no longer invasive and had shrunk to 0.91 cm³ at the time of surgery. Analysis of the excised tissue revealed increased infiltration of immune cells, suggesting an immune response triggered by the viral therapy. Notably, this included high levels of CD8-positive T cells, B cells, and macrophages, all of which play a role in combating cancer cells.

According to the case report, “The intratumoral virus therapy was well tolerated… Two months after the start of the virus injections, the shrunken tumour was no longer invading the skin or underlying muscle and was surgically excised.” Halassy subsequently underwent a year of trastuzumab therapy and remains cancer-free, marking 45 months without recurrence!

The Ethics of Self-Experimentation: A ‘Controversial’ Choice

While Halassy’s self-administered treatment has opened new doors, it has also raised ethical questions. Despite being a trained virologist, her choice to treat herself with lab-grown viruses without formal clinical oversight drew criticism. Initially rejected by numerous journals due to ethical concerns, Halassy finally published her findings after extensive revisions. “The major concern was always ethical issues,” Halassy said, acknowledging the criticism that comes with self-experimentation in medical research.

In moments of desperation, families sometimes consider administering unconventional treatments to their loved ones, whether children or elderly family members, out of hope for a breakthrough where conventional treatments may have failed. Similarly, consenting adults facing aggressive cancers often feel compelled to explore every possible avenue, willing to endure substantial risks if it means even a chance at recovery. However, these decisions, made in the heat of crisis, can lead to unintended and potentially dangerous consequences without the backing of rigorously tested data.

Scientific Support and Cautionary Notes from Experts

Although oncolytic virotherapy is a promising field, experts warn against using it as a first line of treatment without controlled studies. In standard practice, OVT is typically introduced in later stages of cancer where conventional therapies have failed, often in patients whose immune systems are compromised from previous treatments. Halassy’s experience was surely unique, as her relatively healthy immune status may have contributed to the positive outcome.

The Future of Oncolytic Virotherapy

The success of Halassy’s self-treatment has sparked hope for more formal clinical trials exploring OVT in early-stage cancers. The immune response triggered by OVT, as demonstrated in Halassy’s case, suggests the potential to enhance long-term cancer control when combined with conventional therapies. “The authors of the paper emphasised that self-medicating with cancer-fighting viruses ‘should not be the first approach,’ but they wished to encourage formal clinical trials of assessing OVT as neoadjuvant therapy in early cancer,” read the case report.

While Halassy’s innovative approach yielded positive results and brought her into remission, the ethical and scientific challenges surrounding self-experimentation cannot be overlooked. Halassy’s case is an isolated success, but it does not establish OVT as a reliable standard for cancer treatment, especially outside of controlled clinical trials.