Browsing by Author "Alberts, Peteris"

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    Adapted ECHO-7 virus Rigvir immunotherapy (oncolytic virotherapy) prolongs survival in melanoma patients after surgical excision of the tumour in a retrospective study
    (2015-09-18) Doniną, Simona; Strele, Ieva; Proboka, Guna; Auziņš, Jurgis; Alberts, Peteris; Jonsson, Björn; Venskus, Dite; Muceniece, Aina; Institute of Microbiology and Virology; Department of Public Health and Epidemiology
    An oncolytic, nonpathogenic ECHO-7 virus adapted for melanoma that has not been genetically modified (Rigvir) is approved and registered for virotherapy, an active and specific immunotherapy, in Latvia since 2004. The present retrospective study was carried out to determine the effectiveness of Rigvir in substage IB, IIA, IIB and IIC melanoma patients on time to progression and overall survival. White patients (N=79) who had undergone surgical excision of the primary melanoma tumour were included in this study. All patients were free from disease after surgery and classified into substages IB, IIA, IIB and IIC. Circulating levels of clinical chemistry parameters were recorded. Survival was analysed by Cox regression. Rigvir significantly (P<0.05) prolonged survival in substage IB-IIC melanoma patients following surgery compared with patients who were under observation (according to current guidelines). The hazard ratio for patients under observation versus treated with Rigvir was statistically significantly different: hazard ratio 6.27 for all, 4.39 for substage IIA-IIB-IIC and 6.57 for substage IIB-IIC patients. The follow-up period was not statistically different between both treatment groups. These results indicate that the patients treated with Rigvir had a 4.39-6.57-fold lower mortality than those under observation. In this study, there was no untoward side effect or discontinuation of Rigvir treatment. Safety assessment of adverse events graded according to NCI CTCAE did not show any value above grade 2 in Rigvir-treated patients. In conclusion, Rigvir significantly prolongs survival in early-stage melanoma patients without any side effect.
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    Multimodality Treatment of a Colorectal Cancer Stage IV Patient with FOLFOX-4, Bevacizumab, Rigvir Oncolytic Virus, and Surgery
    (2018-05-01) Tilgase, Andra; Olmane, Evija; Nazarovs, Jurijs; Brokane, Linda; Erdmanis, Romualds; Rasa, Agnija; Alberts, Peteris
    Colorectal cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide. The treatment consists of surgical resection, systemic chemotherapy, and new biological agents. One more recently emerging treatment option is oncolytic virotherapy. Although the use of the new treatment methods shows improved overall and progression-free survival, in general, even with the new treatments, mortality remains high and combinations of treatments should be sought to treat patients with colorectal cancer. Here we report a stage IV colorectal cancer patient who received multimodality treatment including bevacizumab, FOLFOX-4, surgery, and the oncolytic virus Rigvir. The patient shows complete pathological remission and remains stable 7.7 years after initial diagnosis. The possible benefits of combining Rigvir oncolytic virus and bevacizumab should be investigated since in vitro research suggests that anti-angiogenesis agents improve viral distribution by altering the microenvironment of the tumor.