Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Paramyxoviruses for Tumor-targeted Immunomodulation: Design and Evaluation Ex Vivo
12:42

Paramyxoviruses for Tumor-targeted Immunomodulation: Design and Evaluation Ex Vivo

Published on: January 7, 2019

Oncolytic virotherapy for multiple myeloma

Amaalia E Stief1, J Andrea McCart

  • 1Experimental Therapeutics, Toronto General Research Institute, 67 College Street, Room 4-408, Toronto, ON, M5G 2M1, Canada.

Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy
|March 21, 2008
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Oncolytic virotherapy offers a novel approach to treating multiple myeloma (MM) by using viruses to target and destroy cancer cells. Research is ongoing to enhance virus effectiveness and patient outcomes in MM treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Virology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Current multiple myeloma (MM) therapies are not curative, necessitating the development of novel targeted therapeutics.
  • Oncolytic virotherapy utilizes viruses to selectively infect and eliminate malignant plasma cells while sparing healthy cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the mechanisms and outcomes of oncolytic viruses currently employed for MM treatment.
  • To discuss recent advancements in the field of virotherapy for multiple myeloma.

Main Methods:

  • Identification and screening of all studies involving the use of viruses for MM treatment.
  • Focus on reviewing replicating, oncolytic viruses exclusively.

Main Results:

  • Several viruses, including measles virus, vesicular stomatitis virus, coxsackievirus A21, and vaccinia virus, are in preclinical and clinical development for MM.
  • Other viruses are being investigated for purging myeloma cells from autologous bone marrow transplants.

Conclusions:

  • Ongoing efforts aim to improve myeloma-specific targeting and evade antiviral immune responses.
  • Combination therapies for MM are under evaluation to enhance treatment efficacy.

More Related Videos

Transarterial Administration of Oncolytic Viruses for Locoregional Therapy of Orthotopic HCC in Rats08:55

Transarterial Administration of Oncolytic Viruses for Locoregional Therapy of Orthotopic HCC in Rats

Published on: April 15, 2016

Genome-wide RNAi Screening to Identify Host Factors That Modulate Oncolytic Virus Therapy08:51

Genome-wide RNAi Screening to Identify Host Factors That Modulate Oncolytic Virus Therapy

Published on: April 3, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Tumor Immunotherapy01:27

Tumor Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
Cancer Therapies02:49

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Cancer Therapies02:49

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Treatment Resistant Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
Treatment Resistent Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistent Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...