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Virotherapy & Rigvir

Cancer virotherapy is a part of immunotherapy (biotherapy), which is an effective cancer treatment using oncolytic viruses that have the ability to find cancer cells in the human body (oncotropism) and destroy them (oncolysis). Nowadays, several viruses have been created that possess these kinds of abilities. Virus Rigvir (ECHO-7 virus Rigvir), created by the scientist Aina Muceniece, has the longest experience in the preclinical and clinical research, as well as in clinical practice. Rigvir has been used in the clinic since 2004, when it was first approved.

At the moment, Rigvir is available for treatment in vials (for intramuscular injections) and for prevention in capsules for oral administration: Rigvir Availability

What is Rigvir?

Rigvir is an adapted oncolytic ECHO-7 virus used in cancer virotherapy – a highly promising form of cancer treatment and cancer prevention that uses viruses to target, infect and kill cancer cells. Rigvir is a nonpathogenic and non-genetically modifed virus that selectively finds cancer cells and replicates in them, thus killing them without damaging healthy cells. Rigvir has double efficacy – it also activates the body’s immune system and helps to boost the body’s natural ability to fight cancer. Rigvir is currently used to treat many types of cancer. It is well tolerated and does not cause severe side effects. The most common side effects are sub-febrile temperature (up to 37.5°C/99.5°F), pain in the tumour area, fatigue, sleepiness, and dyspepsia. These side effects are temporary and do not require special treatment.

Why Rigvir?

• Oncolytic effect – The direct effect of virus Rigvir manifests as finding, infecting, and destroying cancer cells. After infiltrating the cancer cell, Rigvir proliferates, resulting in cancer cell death. Afterwards, the virus in larger numbers continues to find more cancer cells.

• Prevention effect – Rigvir as an oncolytic virus has oncotropic properties, and is able to independently find tumour cells in the human body, thus lowering the risk of developing cancer in overall healthy people and in precancerous conditions, as well as preventing the spread of metastases in the early stages of cancer.

• Immune system booster – The indirect effect of Rigvir manifests as activation of immune responses, thus stimulating the body’s natural defence mechanisms. Activation of the immune system mobilises immune cells to target cancer cells, which now can be recognised and destroyed, because the activity of Rigvir changes the immunosuppressive state of the tumour microenvironment. The change in the microenvironment increases cancer cell death and tumour destruction.

• Activation of immune cells – Rigvir stimulates B and T lymphocyte activation, as well as increases the levels of leukocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, and lymphocyte subpopulations such as CD8+, CD4+, CD95+, as well as natural killer cells (NK) and macrophages. Oncolytic viruses attract T lymphocytes to the tumour, which form large clusters around the edges and within the tumour, thus creating a barrier between the tumour and healthy tissues.

• Combination options – Rigvir can be combined with other therapies such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy or other types of immune therapy to improve the effectiveness of these therapies and minimize the side effects.

• Patient friendly – Oncolytic virotherapy is targeted and does not affect healthy cells. The treatment has no significant side effects. Virotherapy does not require special conditions; patients can do the treatment remotely, following the recommendations of a healthcare professional.

The efficacy of Rigvir

Virus Rigvir has been shown to be effective against the following types of cancer:

• melanoma at several sites – skin, eye, uterine cervix;

• stomach cancer;

• colorectal cancer;

• pancreatic cancer;

• kidney cancer;

• urinary bladder cancer;

• lung cancer;

• lung;

• prostate cancer;

• breast cancer;

• rima glottidis cancer;

• several types of sarcoma: lymphosarcoma, angiosarcoma, reticulosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma;

• prevention of metastases.

Treatment with Rigvir

Treatment is carried out according to Rigvir Guidelines on the Use in Oncology
Information about treatment options - Treatment
Information about Rigvir availability
Cancer prevention with Rigvir SE - Click here

More about the safety and efficacy of Rigvir

• National Library of Medicine - pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=rigvir

• Rigvir producer - www.rigvir.com

• The Rigvir story – pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30179611/

• History of Rigvir – Click here

• Testimonials – Click here

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