From correspondents in Washington, United States, 01:01 PM IST

Viruses designed to treat incurable brain tumours like glioblastoma were stumped by how the immune system eliminated them at the outset.

Now an animal study conducted by Ohio State University researchers helps explain why this happened, a development that could help improve therapy for brain cancer patients.

The study shows how viruses that destroy the tumour cells also cause them to throw up proteins stimulating growth of new tumour blood vessels.

These vessels transport immune cells that eradicate the viruses, stimulating tumour re-growth.

'This study points to an important side-effect of oncolytic viral therapy that may limit its efficacy,' said Balveen Kaur, who was part of the research team.

'We can now work on designing a combination therapy that will inhibit this effect and enhance the action of the viral therapy.'

The findings of the study have been published in the latest issue of the journal Molecular Therapy.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)