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Paramyxoviruses for Tumor-targeted Immunomodulation: Design and Evaluation Ex Vivo
Published on: January 7, 2019
Virally mediated immunotherapy for brain tumors
Pankaj K Agarwalla1, Zachary R Barnard, William T Curry
1Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Abstract:
Brain tumors are a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the United States. Malignant brain tumors occur in approximately 80,000 adults. Furthermore, the average 5-year survival rate for malignant brain tumors across all ages and races is approximately 30% and has remained relatively static over the past few decades, showing the need for continued research and progress in brain tumor therapy. Improved techniques in molecular biology have expanded understanding of tumor genetics and permitted viral engineering and the anticancer therapeutic use of viruses as directly cytotoxic agents and as gene vectors. Preclinical models have shown promising antitumor effects, and generation of clinical grade vectors is feasible. In parallel to these developments, better understanding of antitumor immunity has been accompanied by progress in cancer immunotherapy, the goal of which is to stimulate host rejection of a growing tumor. This article reviews the intersection between the use of viral therapy and immunotherapy in the treatment of malignant gliomas. Each approach shows great promise on its own and in combined or integrated forms.
Insights
Malignant brain tumors have a poor prognosis, necessitating novel therapies. This review explores how viral therapy and cancer immunotherapy, alone or combined, offer promising new treatment strategies for brain tumors.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Malignant brain tumors are a significant cause of death and disability.
- Current survival rates for malignant brain tumors remain low, highlighting the need for advanced therapeutic approaches.
- Advances in molecular biology have enabled the development of viral therapies for cancer treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the intersection of viral therapy and cancer immunotherapy for treating malignant gliomas.
- To discuss the potential of these approaches as standalone or integrated treatments.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on viral therapy and cancer immunotherapy in preclinical and clinical settings.
- Analysis of the synergistic potential between virotherapy and immunotherapy for brain tumor treatment.
Main Results:
- Viral therapies show promise as direct cytotoxic agents and gene vectors against brain tumors.
- Cancer immunotherapy aims to stimulate the host immune system to reject tumors.
- Preclinical models indicate significant antitumor effects for viral therapies, with feasible clinical-grade vector production.
Conclusions:
- Both viral therapy and immunotherapy demonstrate considerable promise for treating malignant gliomas.
- Combined or integrated approaches of viral therapy and immunotherapy may offer enhanced efficacy for brain tumor treatment.
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