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Recent clinical experience with oncolytic viruses

O G Donnelly1, F Errington-Mais, R Prestwich

  • 1Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, St James's University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds, UK.

Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
|July 12, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Oncolytic viruses are a century-old concept now showing promise in cancer treatment. Recent trials confirm their safety and tolerability, though efficacy evidence is still pending further clinical studies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Virology
  • Immunotherapy

Background:

  • The use of viruses to combat cancer has a long history.
  • Recent advancements focus on replication-competent oncolytic viruses for cancer therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the safety and tolerability of oncolytic viruses in clinical settings.
  • To assess the potential of oncolytic viruses as a cancer treatment modality.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recently published clinical trials involving six types of oncolytic viruses: adenovirus, reovirus, measles, herpes simplex, Newcastle disease virus, and vaccinia.
  • Accumulation and analysis of safety and tolerability data from these trials.

Main Results:

  • Clinical trials indicate that oncolytic viruses are generally safe and well-tolerated by patients.
  • The reviewed oncolytic viruses include adenovirus, reovirus, measles, herpes simplex, Newcastle disease virus, and vaccinia.

Conclusions:

  • Oncolytic virus therapy is emerging as a safe and well-tolerated treatment option for cancer.
  • Further randomized clinical trials are necessary to establish the definitive efficacy of oncolytic viruses in cancer treatment.

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