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Could an oncolytic virus “melt” tumours?


March 11, 2015

Dr. Robin Parks has been awarded a $120,000 grant from the Cancer Research Society to develop and test a novel cancer-killing virus that may be able to fuse cancer cells together, in effect “melting” a tumour into one big mass. This experimental therapy is based on a common human cold virus (an adenovirus) engineered to express a cell-fusing protein derived from a reptile virus (a reovirus). It is hoped that this novel virus will spread more quickly throughout tumours than some other oncolytic viruses, and also work in synergy with other cancer therapies. This research will take place in laboratory cancer models.

Ottawa Hospital Research Institute


The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute is the research arm of The Ottawa Hospital and is an affiliated institute of the University of Ottawa, closely associated with its faculties of Medicine and Health Sciences. The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute includes more than 1,700 scientists, clinical investigators, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and staff conducting research to improve the understanding, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of human disease. Support our research. Give to the Tender Loving Research campaign.

For further information, please contact


Paddy Moore
Communications and Public Relations
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Office: 613-737-8899 x73687
Cell: 613-323-5680
padmoore@ohri.ca