Stem cells, loaded with herpes virus, can be used to kill brain tumors, according to media reports on Monday quoting Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

This breakthrough was made when the survival of mice with glioblastoma multiforme, the most common brain tumor in human adults, increased significantly after virus-loaded stem cells were applied to their tumors.

However, the therapy hasn't translated as well for human patients, because previous problem of how to keep the herpes viruses at tumor site long enough to work has been solved, according to researchers from Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI).