Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026
Stereotactic Adoptive Transfer of Cytotoxic Immune Cells in Murine Models of Orthotopic Human Glioblastoma Multiforme Xenografts
Published on: September 1, 2018
Oncolytic virotherapy for malignant glioma: translating laboratory insights into clinical practice
Brenda Auffinger1, Atique U Ahmed, Maciej S Lesniak
1The Brain Tumor Center, The University of Chicago Chicago, IL, USA.
Abstract:
Glioblastoma multiforme, one of the most common and aggressive brain tumors in adults, is highly resistant to currently available therapies and often recurs. Due to its poor prognosis and difficult management, there is an urgent need for the development and translation of new anti-glioma therapeutic approaches into the clinic. In this context, oncolytic virotherapy arises as an exciting treatment option for glioma patients. These natural or genetically engineered viruses are able to effectively infect cancer cells, inducing a specific anti-tumor cytotoxic effect. In addition, some viruses have been redesigned to modulate glioma microenvironment, to express cytokines to boost a systemic anti-glioma immune response and to incorporate angiostatic genes to decrease glioma vasculature. Although recent clinical trials have confirmed the safety of oncolytic virotherapies in the brain, their moderate clinical efficacy has not yet matched the encouraging preclinical laboratory results. In this review, we will discuss the leading anti-glioma virotherapy approaches that are presently under preclinical and clinical evaluation. We will also review different delivery methods, in vivo virus behavior, fate, replication, intratumoral spread, activation of anti-tumor immune response, and targeting of glioma stem cells. We will focus on the advantages and limitations of each therapeutic approach and how to overcome these hurdles to effectively translate exciting laboratory results into promising clinical trials.
Insights
Oncolytic virotherapy shows promise for treating aggressive glioblastoma (brain tumors) by using viruses to kill cancer cells. While safe in clinical trials, enhancing its efficacy remains a key challenge for future treatments.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Virology
- Immunotherapy
Background:
- Glioblastoma multiforme is an aggressive brain tumor with poor prognosis and high resistance to current therapies.
- There is a critical need for novel therapeutic strategies to improve outcomes for glioma patients.
- Oncolytic virotherapy offers a potential new treatment avenue for glioblastoma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current oncolytic virotherapy approaches for glioblastoma.
- To discuss virus delivery, behavior, immune response, and targeting strategies.
- To identify challenges and opportunities for translating preclinical findings into clinical success.
Main Methods:
- Review of preclinical and clinical studies on oncolytic virotherapy for glioblastoma.
- Analysis of virus-mediated anti-tumor effects, including direct cytotoxicity and immune modulation.
- Evaluation of delivery methods, in vivo behavior, and targeting of glioma stem cells.
Main Results:
- Oncolytic viruses can selectively infect and kill glioblastoma cells, modulate the tumor microenvironment, and stimulate anti-tumor immunity.
- Clinical trials demonstrate the safety of oncolytic virotherapies in brain tumor patients.
- Current clinical efficacy is moderate and has not fully realized the potential shown in laboratory studies.
Conclusions:
- Oncolytic virotherapy is a promising strategy for glioblastoma treatment, with demonstrated safety in clinical settings.
- Further research is needed to overcome limitations in efficacy, including optimizing delivery and enhancing anti-tumor immune responses.
- Translating encouraging preclinical results into significant clinical benefits requires addressing current challenges in oncolytic virotherapy development.
