Drug to Fight Tumors Also Fights Flu Virus

New research suggests that a drug originally developed for cancer can combat the flu virus.

New hope has been lighted for flu-free winters in the years to come thanks to a new discovery by researchers. A drug called DMXAA, originally developed as anti-tumor agent, can enhance the ability of flu vaccines to ward off this deadly virus.

The study  suggests that DMXAA could assist flu vaccines by causing the body to produce its own antiviral proteins, called interferons, which interfere with the virus's ability to spread. In addition, DMXAA may be a useful antiviral therapy to treat newly emerging strains of the flu for which a vaccine has not be developed.

"We are hopeful that DMXAA or similar agents can be used ultimately to blunt the impact of yearly influenza outbreaks, and perhaps, for other virus infections as well," said Stefanie Vogel,