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Paramyxoviruses for Tumor-targeted Immunomodulation: Design and Evaluation Ex Vivo
Published on: January 7, 2019
Therapeutic oncolytic viruses: clinical advances and future directions
Susanne G Warner1, Michael P O'Leary, Yuman Fong
1aDivision of Surgical Oncology bDepartment of Surgery, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA.
Purpose Of Review:
The present review will highlight recent advances in the clinical application of oncolytic viral therapy.
Recent Findings:
Until recently, oncolytic viral researchers saw the immune system as an enemy that would clear the virus from the bloodstream. However, researchers now understand that sustained responses are seen in those patients with more robust antitumor immune responses. Much of the current focus in oncolytic viral research is trained on manipulation of the immune system to affect cancer cell killing in the tumor microenvironment and to facilitate durable systemic antitumor immunity. Many investigators have demonstrated synergistic effects of checkpoint inhibition and other immune therapies with viral administration. At the same time, insertion of various markers enables noninvasive deep tissue imaging. Finally, following regulatory approval in the United States and Europe, unbridled clinical use of T-VEC for patients with metastatic melanoma is also generating large volumes of patient data that will help elucidate strengths and weaknesses of oncolytic viral therapy. Perhaps the most telling sign of the field's future is a seismic shift in clinical trials with more investigators combining virus and immunotherapies.
Summary:
This article reviews the current state of therapeutic oncolytic viruses in clinical use, and explores future directions of the field.
Insights
Oncolytic virus therapy is advancing, with a new focus on harnessing the immune system for enhanced cancer cell killing. Combining oncolytic viruses with immunotherapies shows promise for durable antitumor responses.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Virology
- Immunotherapy
Background:
- Oncolytic viruses are engineered to selectively infect and kill cancer cells.
- The immune system was previously viewed as a barrier to oncolytic viral therapy.
- Recent understanding emphasizes the immune system's role in sustained therapeutic responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent clinical applications of oncolytic viral therapy.
- To explore the evolving role of the immune system in oncolytic virotherapy.
- To discuss future directions and emerging strategies in the field.
Main Methods:
- Review of current clinical applications and research findings.
- Analysis of the interplay between oncolytic viruses and the immune system.
- Examination of synergistic effects with other cancer therapies.
Main Results:
- Oncolytic viral therapy is increasingly focused on immune system manipulation for enhanced cancer cell killing.
- Synergistic effects observed with checkpoint inhibition and other immunotherapies.
- Clinical use of T-VEC for metastatic melanoma provides valuable patient data.
- Noninvasive imaging markers are being developed for deep tissue visualization.
Conclusions:
- The field of oncolytic viral therapy is shifting towards combination strategies with immunotherapies.
- Understanding and manipulating antitumor immune responses are crucial for durable efficacy.
- Further clinical data will refine the application and understanding of oncolytic viruses.
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