The cowpox virus ended the scourge of smallpox 200 years ago and now in a exciting development, scientists have managed to engineered a new virus based on it that is able to kill cancer cells in a petrie dish.

CF33 is a treatment that has been found to shrink tumours in mice.  There’s a push to have it trialled on Australian breast and other cancer patients next year.

US cancer expert Professor Yuman Fong told Gareth Parker the treatment is being developed by Australia biotech company Imugene, which has licensed the innovation.

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