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Oncolytic Virotherapy and Gene Therapy Strategies for Hepatobiliary Cancers
Takeshi Yamada1, Yukako Hamano1, Naoyuki Hasegawa1
1Division of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicne, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennoudai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305- 8575, Japan.
Abstract:
Advanced liver cancers and biliary cancers represent diseases with dismal prognosis because of frequent local invasion and metastasis. Effective therapeutic agents for these cancers have not been established. Oncolytic viruses (OVs) constitute a novel class of promising, selective anticancer agents and recent studies have elucidated their unique features. Moreover, clinical trials are demonstrating promising results. Numerous OVs are being tested in preclinical models of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The lead agent Pexa-Vec (pexastimogene devacirepvec, JX-594), a recombinant Wyeth strain vaccinia virus, has demonstrated preliminary evidence of safety and efficacy for HCC in clinical trials. Few other OVs have entered clinical testing. Relatively few preclinical studies and clinical trials exist for biliary cancers. In this review, we introduce various approaches using OVs to treat the intractable hepatobiliary cancers.
Insights
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) show promise for treating advanced liver and biliary cancers. Clinical trials are exploring their safety and efficacy, offering new hope for these difficult-to-treat diseases.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Virology
- Hepatobiliary Medicine
Background:
- Advanced liver and biliary cancers have poor prognoses with limited effective treatments.
- Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are emerging as a novel class of selective anticancer agents.
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and biliary cancers are challenging to treat effectively.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the application of oncolytic viruses (OVs) in treating advanced liver and biliary cancers.
- To highlight the potential of OVs as a therapeutic strategy for hepatobiliary malignancies.
- To discuss current preclinical and clinical research involving OVs for these cancers.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing preclinical studies and clinical trials on oncolytic viruses for liver and biliary cancers.
- Focus on Pexa-Vec (pexastimogene devacirepvec, JX-594), a recombinant vaccinia virus, in HCC treatment.
- Exploration of various OV approaches for hepatobiliary cancer therapy.
Main Results:
- Oncolytic viruses demonstrate unique features and promising results in preclinical models and early clinical trials for HCC.
- Pexa-Vec has shown preliminary safety and efficacy in HCC clinical trials.
- Limited research exists for OVs in biliary cancers, indicating a need for further investigation.
Conclusions:
- Oncolytic viruses represent a promising therapeutic avenue for intractable hepatobiliary cancers.
- Further research and clinical trials are warranted, particularly for biliary cancers.
- OVs offer a novel and selective approach to cancer treatment in the hepatobiliary system.