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Updated: Jul 13, 2026
06:14
Growth, Purification, and Titration of Oncolytic Herpes Simplex Virus
Published on: May 13, 2021
Oncolytic herpes simplex virus therapy for peripheral nerve tumors
Deva S Jeyaretna1, Samuel D Rabkin, Robert L Martuza
1Molecular Neurosurgery Laboratory, Brain Tumor Research Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA. djeyaretna@partners.org
Neurosurgical Focus
|July 7, 2007
Summary
Oncolytic herpes simplex virus (HSV) shows promise for treating peripheral nerve tumors. This therapy selectively targets and destroys tumor cells, offering a safer alternative to surgery with reduced nerve damage risk.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Virology
- Gene Therapy
Background:
- Peripheral nerve tumors pose surgical challenges with high morbidity risks.
- Novel therapies are needed to reduce nerve damage during tumor treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the potential of oncolytic herpes simplex virus (HSV) as a therapy for peripheral nerve tumors.
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of oncolytic HSV in preclinical and clinical settings.
Main Methods:
- Review of experimental models (in vitro and in vivo) assessing oncolytic HSV efficacy against schwannomas and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors.
- Analysis of oncolytic HSV vector characteristics, including genome capacity and transgene expression.
- Examination of safety data from nonhuman primate and human clinical trials.
Main Results:
- Oncolytic HSV demonstrates preferential targeting and destruction of peripheral nerve tumor cells via tumor-specific pathways.
- Transgenes enhance efficacy through antiangiogenic factors, showing synergy with chemotherapy.
- Various oncolytic HSV vectors (hrR3, G207, G47D) have been evaluated in developed animal models.
Conclusions:
- Oncolytic HSV is a viable and effective therapeutic strategy for peripheral nerve tumors.
- Its safety profile is well-established, supporting further clinical investigation and application.
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