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Paramyxoviruses for Tumor-targeted Immunomodulation: Design and Evaluation Ex Vivo
Published on: January 7, 2019
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Macrophages and their interactions with oncolytic viruses
Philip G Jakeman1, Thomas E Hills1, Kerry D Fisher1
1Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK.
Current Opinion in Pharmacology
|July 13, 2015
Summary
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) can hinder cancer therapies but their plasticity offers therapeutic potential. Oncolytic viruses can reprogram TAMs to enhance anti-cancer immune responses, improving treatment outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Immunology and Cancer Biology
- Virology and Gene Therapy
Background:
- Macrophages are versatile immune cells with critical roles in both normal physiology and disease.
- Phagocytic macrophages defend against viral infections but can impede therapeutic virus delivery to tumors.
- Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) typically exhibit an immunosuppressive phenotype, correlating with poor prognosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the therapeutic potential of reprogramming tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) for cancer treatment.
- To investigate the use of oncolytic viruses for modulating TAM phenotype and function.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing the inherent plasticity of macrophages for therapeutic intervention.
- Employing oncolytic viruses for non-specific stimulation of TAMs.
- Engineering oncolytic viruses for targeted expression of cytokines to modulate macrophage activation.
Main Results:
- TAMs' plasticity presents an opportunity for therapeutic 're-education' towards an anti-cancer role.
- Oncolytic viruses can be used to stimulate TAMs, potentially enhancing anti-tumor immunity.
- Tumor-targeted cytokine expression via oncolytic viruses offers a strategy for specific TAM modulation.
Conclusions:
- Reprogramming TAMs represents a promising strategy in cancer immunotherapy.
- Oncolytic viruses offer a versatile platform for modulating TAMs to promote anti-tumor immune responses.
- Targeted modulation of TAMs holds potential for improving clinical outcomes in cancer patients.
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