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Updated: Aug 25, 2026
Growth, Purification, and Titration of Oncolytic Herpes Simplex Virus
Published on: May 13, 2021
Replicative oncolytic herpes simplex viruses in combination cancer therapies
Dawn E Post1, Giulia Fulci, E Antonio Chiocca
1Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta,GA 30322, USA. dephelp@emory.edu
Abstract:
Viruses that kill the host cell during their replication cycle have attracted much interest for the specific killing of tumor cells and this oncolytic virotherapy is being evaluated in clinical trials. The rationale for using replicative oncolytic viruses is that viral replication in infected tumor cells will permit in situ viral multiplication and spread of viral infection throughout the tumor mass thus overcoming the delivery problems of gene therapy. Improved understanding of the life cycle of viruses has evidenced multiple interactions between viral and cellular gene products, which have evolved to maximize the ability of viruses to infect and multiply within cells. Differences in viral-cell interactions between normal and tumor cells have emerged that have led to the design of a number of genetically engineered viral vectors that selectively kill tumor cells while sparing normal cells. These viruses have undergone further modifications to carry adjunct therapy genes to increase their anti-cancer abilities. Since these viruses kill cells by oncolytic mechanisms differing from standard anticancer therapies, there is an opportunity that synergistic interactions with other therapies might be found with the use of combination therapy. In this review, we focus on the oncolytic Herpes Simplex Virus-1 (HSV-1) vectors that have been examined in preclinical and clinical cancer models and their use in combination with chemo-, radio-, and gene therapies.
Insights
Oncolytic virotherapy uses viruses to specifically kill tumor cells, offering a novel cancer treatment. This review explores oncolytic Herpes Simplex Virus-1 (HSV-1) and its combination with other therapies for enhanced anti-cancer effects.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Virology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Oncolytic viruses are engineered to selectively infect and replicate within tumor cells, leading to cancer cell lysis.
- Viral replication within tumors offers a potential solution to delivery challenges inherent in traditional gene therapy approaches.
- Understanding virus-cell interactions has led to the development of genetically modified viral vectors for targeted cancer therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the application of oncolytic Herpes Simplex Virus-1 (HSV-1) vectors in cancer treatment.
- To explore the potential of combining HSV-1 oncolytic virotherapy with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and gene therapy.
Main Methods:
- Review of preclinical and clinical studies involving oncolytic Herpes Simplex Virus-1 (HSV-1) vectors.
- Analysis of viral-cell interactions and genetic engineering strategies for enhanced tumor cell selectivity.
- Examination of combination therapy approaches integrating oncolytic virotherapy with conventional cancer treatments.
Main Results:
- Genetically engineered HSV-1 vectors demonstrate selective tumor cell killing and replication.
- Modified HSV-1 vectors can be engineered to carry therapeutic genes, enhancing anti-cancer efficacy.
- Combination therapies involving oncolytic HSV-1 show promise for synergistic anti-cancer effects.
Conclusions:
- Oncolytic Herpes Simplex Virus-1 (HSV-1) represents a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.
- Combination of oncolytic HSV-1 with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or gene therapy may improve treatment outcomes.
- Further research into combination therapies is warranted to optimize oncolytic virotherapy efficacy.
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