Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 18, 2025
Tumor Treating Field Therapy in Combination with Bevacizumab for the Treatment of Recurrent Glioblastoma
Published on: October 27, 2014
Clinically Explored Virus-Based Therapies for the Treatment of Recurrent High-Grade Glioma in Adults
Amanda V Immidisetti1, Chibueze D Nwagwu2, David C Adamson3,4
1Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA.
Abstract:
As new treatment modalities are being explored in neuro-oncology, viruses are emerging as a promising class of therapeutics. Virotherapy consists of the introduction of either wild-type or engineered viruses to the site of disease, where they exert an antitumor effect. These viruses can either be non-lytic, in which case they are used to deliver gene therapy, or lytic, which induces tumor cell lysis and subsequent host immunologic response. Replication-competent viruses can then go on to further infect and lyse neighboring glioma cells. This treatment paradigm is being explored extensively in both preclinical and clinical studies for a variety of indications. Virus-based therapies are advantageous due to the natural susceptibility of glioma cells to viral infection, which improves therapeutic selectivity. Furthermore, lytic viruses expose glioma antigens to the host immune system and subsequently stimulate an immune response that specifically targets tumor cells. This review surveys the current landscape of oncolytic virotherapy clinical trials in high-grade glioma, summarizes preclinical experiences, identifies challenges associated with this modality across multiple trials, and highlights the potential to integrate this therapeutic strategy into promising combinatory approaches.
Insights
Oncolytic virotherapy uses viruses to treat brain tumors like high-grade glioma. This approach shows promise by selectively targeting cancer cells and stimulating an immune response against tumors.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Viruses are emerging as promising therapeutics in neuro-oncology.
- Virotherapy involves introducing viruses to disease sites for antitumor effects.
- Viruses can be non-lytic (gene therapy) or lytic (tumor cell lysis and immune response).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current landscape of oncolytic virotherapy clinical trials in high-grade glioma.
- To summarize preclinical experiences with virotherapy in glioma.
- To identify challenges and explore combination strategies for virotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Survey of current oncolytic virotherapy clinical trials in high-grade glioma.
- Summary of preclinical studies on virus-based therapies for glioma.
- Analysis of challenges and potential integration into combination approaches.
Main Results:
- Glioma cells exhibit natural susceptibility to viral infection, enhancing therapeutic selectivity.
- Lytic viruses expose glioma antigens, stimulating a targeted host immune response.
- Replication-competent viruses can infect and lyse neighboring glioma cells.
Conclusions:
- Oncolytic virotherapy is a promising treatment modality for high-grade glioma.
- The natural susceptibility of glioma cells and immune stimulation are key advantages.
- Further research is needed to overcome challenges and integrate virotherapy into combination therapies.
More Related Videos
11:15Stereotactic Adoptive Transfer of Cytotoxic Immune Cells in Murine Models of Orthotopic Human Glioblastoma Multiforme Xenografts
Published on: September 1, 2018
12:55Generation of CAR T Cells for Adoptive Therapy in the Context of Glioblastoma Standard of Care
Published on: February 16, 2015
Related Concept Videos
01:27Tumor Immunotherapy
02:56Treatment Resistant Cancers