Oncolytic viruses against cancer stem cells: A promising approach for gastrointestinal cancer

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Fang Huang1, Bin-Rong Wang1, Ye-Qing Wu1

  • 1Fang Huang, Bin-Rong Wang, Ye-Qing Wu, Fan-Chao Wang, Jian Zhang, Yi-Gang Wang, Xinyuan Institute of Medicine and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, Zhejiang Province, China.

World Journal of Gastroenterology
|September 28, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Oncolytic virotherapy shows promise for treating gastrointestinal cancers by targeting cancer stem cells (CSCs). This review explores its potential, challenges, and future directions for liver, gastric, colon, and pancreatic cancers.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Virology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Gastrointestinal cancers are leading causes of mortality, with relapse and resistance often linked to cancer stem cells (CSCs).
  • Traditional therapies improve survival but do not fully address tumor recurrence and drug resistance.
  • The cancer stem cell (CSC) theory explains treatment failures in gastrointestinal cancers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the fundamental knowledge, CSC markers, and therapeutic strategies for gastrointestinal cancers.
  • To explore advances in oncolytic virotherapy targeting gastrointestinal CSCs.
  • To summarize obstacles and propose solutions for oncolytic virotherapy in gastrointestinal cancers.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of basic knowledge, CSC markers, and therapeutics in gastrointestinal cancer.
  • Analysis of research on oncolytic viruses against gastrointestinal CSCs and their molecular mechanisms.
  • Identification of challenges and alternative strategies for oncolytic virotherapy.

Main Results:

  • Oncolytic viruses demonstrate potential in targeting and lysing CSCs in liver, gastric, colon, and pancreatic cancers.
  • Various oncolytic viruses and their mechanisms against gastrointestinal CSCs have been investigated.
  • Obstacles to oncolytic virotherapy exist, necessitating alternative approaches.

Conclusions:

  • Oncolytic virotherapy offers a promising strategy against gastrointestinal cancers by targeting CSCs.
  • Further research and innovative strategies are needed to overcome current limitations in oncolytic virotherapy.
  • This review provides insights into the potential of oncolytic viruses for treating gastrointestinal cancers.
Keywords:
Cancer stem cellsGastrointestinal cancerMolecular mechanismOncolytic virotherapy

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