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Prospect and progress of oncolytic viruses for treating peripheral nerve sheath tumors

Slawomir Antoszczyk1, Samuel D Rabkin1

  • 1Molecular Neurosurgery Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital; Department of Neurosurgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA.

Expert Opinion on Orphan Drugs
|November 22, 2016
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Oncolytic viruses show promise as a novel treatment for peripheral nerve sheath tumors (PNSTs). Preclinical studies demonstrate their efficacy and safety, supporting their translation to clinical practice for PNST therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Virology
  • Neurosurgery

Background:

  • Peripheral nerve sheath tumors (PNSTs) are neuroectodermal neoplasms with poor prognosis upon malignant transformation.
  • Current treatments including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy for PNSTs have limited efficacy and significant side effects.
  • Oncolytic viruses (OVs) offer a novel therapeutic approach, selectively targeting and destroying tumor cells while sparing healthy tissues.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the therapeutic potential of oncolytic viruses (OVs) for treating peripheral nerve sheath tumors (PNSTs).
  • To discuss preclinical models of PNSTs and the application of various OVs, including oncolytic herpes simplex virus (HSV), adenovirus (Ad), and measles virus (MV).

Main Methods:

  • Review of preclinical data on OV efficacy and safety in PNST models.
  • Discussion of strategies to enhance OV activity, such as genetic modification ('arming') and combination therapies.
  • Analysis of clinical trial outcomes for OVs in solid tumors and their implications for PNST treatment.

Main Results:

  • Preclinical studies indicate that OVs are effective against PNSTs and perineural tumor invasion.
  • OVs have demonstrated a favorable safety profile in preclinical and clinical settings.
  • Advancements in OV technology, including armed viruses and combination strategies, enhance therapeutic potential.

Conclusions:

  • Preclinical evidence strongly supports the clinical translation of oncolytic virotherapy for PNSTs.
  • Successful clinical trials in other solid tumors validate the safety and efficacy of OVs.
  • The progression of oncolytic HSV into Phase III trials signifies a major step towards clinical adoption for PNST treatment.
Keywords:
HSVMPNSTsoft tissue sarcomavirotherapy

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