The first Russian oncological drug based on the virus has successfully passed the initial phase of clinical trials. The trials proved its safety and efficacy against breast cancer.

In more than half of the patients who took part in the experiment, the tumour shrank.
The drug is based on the smallpox vaccine virus. Two sites were removed from its genome and replaced with other sites that enhance oncolytic activity.
For the first time in the world, Russian scientists have introduced a gene encoding a protein that destroys cancer cells into such a drug. Now preparations are underway for the second stage of trials.
Alexander Gintsburg, director of the Gamaleya Centre, said earlier that preclinical tests of the Russian cancer vaccine demonstrated its ability to suppress the development of tumours.