​Virus as medicine: Genetically engineered virus can cure cancer, scientist learn. Get short URL. A new study by UK scientists reveals that a genetically created herpes-based virus is an effective remedy against skin cancer.This virotherapy raises life expectancy for patients with aggressive melanoma and has fewer side effects than other treatments.fter destroying the cancer cell, the virus gets into surrounding area and triggers a secondary immune reaction against the tumor. Dr Hayley Frend, science information manager at Cancer Research UK, commented: “Using a virus to both kill cancer cells and nudge the immune system into attacking them is exciting.