Woman's Cancer Destroyed by Massive Measles Virus Injection in 'Landmark' Medical Trial

By Leah Marianne Klett
Myeloma, a rare blood cancer
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic have used a measles vaccine to successfully rid a woman of a rare form of blood cancer www.mayoclinic.com

Mayo clinic researchers discovered what could be a landmark medical breakthrough.

Researchers at the notable clinic announced a study where a massive dose of the measles vaccine wiped out a Minnesota woman's incurable blood cancer known as myeloma.

The Mayo Clinic conducted the clinical trial last year using virotherapy, which engineered the measles virus in a single intravenous dose, making it toxic to only cancer cells.

According to the report, Stacey Erholtz, 49, was one of the two patients who participated in the study. Doctors at the mayo clinic injected Erholtz with 100 billion units of the measles virus-enough to inoculate 10 million people. She has now been completely cancer-free for over six months and calls the treatment "remarkable."

"My mindset was I didn't have any other options available, so why wouldn't I do it? I had to have failed all conventional treatment to do that trial. That actually happened last March," Erholtz told KARE. "It was the easiest treatment by far with very few side effects. I hope it's the future of treating cancer infusion."

While the other patient involved in the study experienced a return of cancer after nine months, Steven Russell, a Mayo Clinic hematologist who headed the study, said the experiment was nevertheless a success.

"It's a huge milestone in that regard," Russell told the Star Tribune. "We have known for some time viruses act like a vaccine. If you inject a virus into a tumor you can provoke the immune system to destroy that cancer and other cancers. This is different, it puts the virus into bloodstreams, it infects and destroys the cancer, debulks it, and then the immune system can come and mop up the residue."

Russell says he hopes his team can one day transform this research into a single shot cure.

"It's like a call to action. It's not just good for our virus. It's good for every virus everybody's developing as a cancer therapy. We know this can happen," said Russell.

The experiment has been formerly test on mice, and will now be tested for its effectiveness in treating cancer of the ovaries, brain, head, and neck. Researchers are also developing other viruses that seem to have potential to kill cancer cells, reports USA Today.

  • [Exclusive Interview] A revelation within the brink of life and death — Meg Leung’s mission in Christian art

    Meg Leung (梁麗橋), an artist with a lifelong love for watercolor painting, sees her art as more than a means of expressing her inner world; it is a bridge connecting her to God. Her artistic journey has revealed God’s perfect plan and inspired her to communicate the power of faith through her wor

  • Transgenderism a fundamental human right? Hong Kong public disagrees, survey finds

    A 2024 survey from the Society for Truth and Light (明光社)'s Center for Life and Ethics Research reveals that respondents from various backgrounds prioritize personal safety and fairness when it comes to transgender issues. When laws involve moral judgments, most respondents believe courts should not make the decisions. The study also indicates that religious believers share similar views with non-religious respondents, reflecting that many churches may rarely address gender topics in depth.

  • Discipleship and Evangelism: Walking the Path of the Great Commission

    Like an ever-flowing spring, the gospel refreshes dry, parched lands and needs our unwavering passion and steadfast faith to transform lives and bring renewal. The "flame in our hearts" calls Christians to keep their faith and love for the Lord ablaze, representing the work and power of the Holy Spirit, driving us to proclaim God's glory boldly.

  • North America Chinese Evangelical Seminary year-end report highlights significant ministry progress

    As the year draws to a close, Rev. James Liu, President of the Chinese Evangelical Seminary North America (CESNA), reflected on the seminary’s remarkable growth and ministry development over the past year. Dedicated to providing theological education to Chinese Christians, CESNA continues to uphold its mission to remain faithful to the gospel and nurture believers. This year’s achievements span academic, ministerial, and outreach endeavors, fostering spiritual growth and advancing missionary wo