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Updated: Nov 30, 2025

Paramyxoviruses for Tumor-targeted Immunomodulation: Design and Evaluation Ex Vivo
Published on: January 7, 2019
Cytokines in oncolytic virotherapy
Jonathan G Pol1, Samuel T Workenhe2, Prathyusha Konda3
1Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Paris, France; Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Villejuif, France.
Abstract:
Tumors represent a hostile environment for the effector cells of cancer immunosurveillance. Immunosuppressive receptors and soluble or membrane-bound ligands are abundantly exposed and released by malignant entities and their stromal accomplices. As a consequence, executioners of antitumor immunity inefficiently navigate across cancer tissues and fail to eliminate malignant targets. By inducing immunogenic cancer cell death, oncolytic viruses profoundly reshape the tumor microenvironment. They trigger the local spread of danger signals and tumor-associated (as well as viral) antigens, thus attracting antigen-presenting cells, promoting the activation and expansion of lymphocytic populations, facilitating their infiltration in the tumor bed, and reinvigorating cytotoxic immune activity. The present review recapitulates key chemokines, growth factors and other cytokines that orchestrate this ballet of antitumoral leukocytes upon oncolytic virotherapy.
Insights
Oncolytic viruses transform tumors into immune-friendly zones. These viruses promote cancer cell death, attracting immune cells to fight tumors effectively through oncolytic virotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Oncology
Background:
- Tumors create hostile environments, suppressing anti-cancer immune cells.
- Immune cells struggle to infiltrate tumors and eliminate cancer cells due to immunosuppressive factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review how oncolytic viruses reshape the tumor microenvironment.
- To identify key signaling molecules involved in oncolytic virotherapy's immune response.
Main Methods:
- Review of scientific literature on oncolytic viruses and tumor immunology.
- Analysis of signaling pathways and cellular interactions in the tumor microenvironment.
Main Results:
- Oncolytic viruses induce immunogenic cancer cell death.
- This process releases danger signals and antigens, attracting and activating immune cells.
- Key cytokines and chemokines orchestrate leukocyte activity against tumors.
Conclusions:
- Oncolytic virotherapy effectively reconditions the tumor microenvironment for anti-tumor immunity.
- It enhances immune cell infiltration and cytotoxic activity, offering a promising cancer treatment strategy.
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