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Paramyxoviruses for Tumor-targeted Immunomodulation: Design and Evaluation Ex Vivo
Published on: January 7, 2019
Mesenchymal stem cells and oncolytic viruses: joining forces against cancer
1Virotherapy and immunotherapy group, ProCURE Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology - ICO, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain rafamoreno@iconcologia.net.
Abstract:
The development of oncolytic viruses (OVs) has increased significantly in the past 20 years, with many candidates entering clinical trials and three of them receiving approval for some indications. Recently, OVs have also gathered interest as candidates to use in combination with immunotherapies for cancer due to their immunogenic properties, which include immunogenic cell death and the possibility to carry therapeutic transgenes in their genomes. OVs transform non-immunogenic 'cold' tumors into inflamed immunogenic 'hot' tumors, where immunotherapies show the highest efficacy. However, in monotherapy or in combination with immunotherapy, OVs face numerous challenges that limit their successful application, in particular upon systemic administration, such as liver sequestration, neutralizing interactions in blood, physical barriers to infection, and fast clearance by the immune system. In this regard, the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as cells carrier for OV delivery addresses many of these obstacles acting as virus carriers and factories, expressing additional transgenes, and modulating the immune system. Here, I review the current progress of OVs-loaded MSCs in cancer, focusing on their interaction with the immune system, and discuss new strategies to improve their therapeutic efficacy.
Insights
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) combined with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) show promise for cancer therapy. MSCs help overcome OV delivery challenges, enhancing their effectiveness against tumors by modulating the immune system.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Virology
- Immunotherapy
- Stem Cell Therapy
Background:
- Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are increasingly used in cancer therapy, alone or with immunotherapies.
- OVs can convert 'cold' tumors into 'hot' tumors, improving immunotherapy efficacy.
- Systemic OV delivery faces challenges like immune clearance and physical barriers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the progress of OV-loaded mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in cancer treatment.
- To focus on the interaction between OV-loaded MSCs and the immune system.
- To discuss strategies for enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of OV-loaded MSCs.
Main Methods:
- Review of current research on oncolytic viruses and mesenchymal stem cells.
- Analysis of immune system interactions with OV-loaded MSCs.
- Discussion of novel strategies for therapeutic improvement.
Main Results:
- Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) act as effective carriers for oncolytic viruses (OVs).
- MSCs address challenges of systemic OV delivery, including immune clearance and barriers.
- OV-loaded MSCs can function as virus factories and express therapeutic transgenes.
- MSCs modulate the immune system, potentially enhancing anti-tumor responses.
Conclusions:
- OV-loaded MSCs represent a promising strategy for cancer therapy.
- Further research into immune interactions and novel strategies can improve OV-loaded MSC efficacy.
- This approach offers a potential solution to overcome limitations of traditional OV therapy.
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