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Updated: Oct 31, 2025
Ex Vivo Infection of Live Tissue with Oncolytic Viruses
Published on: June 25, 2011
Development of Group B Coxsackievirus as an Oncolytic Virus: Opportunities and Challenges
Huitao Liu1,2, Honglin Luo1,3
1Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, St. Paul's Hospital-University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada.
Abstract:
Oncolytic viruses have emerged as a promising strategy for cancer therapy due to their dual ability to selectively infect and lyse tumor cells and to induce systemic anti-tumor immunity. Among various candidate viruses, coxsackievirus group B (CVBs) have attracted increasing attention in recent years. CVBs are a group of small, non-enveloped, single-stranded, positive-sense RNA viruses, belonging to species human Enterovirus B in the genus Enterovirus of the family Picornaviridae. Preclinical studies have demonstrated potent anti-tumor activities for CVBs, particularly type 3, against multiple cancer types, including lung, breast, and colorectal cancer. Various approaches have been proposed or applied to enhance the safety and specificity of CVBs towards tumor cells and to further increase their anti-tumor efficacy. This review summarizes current knowledge and strategies for developing CVBs as oncolytic viruses for cancer virotherapy. The challenges arising from these studies and future prospects are also discussed in this review.
Insights
Coxsackievirus group B (CVBs) show promise as oncolytic viruses for cancer therapy. Research explores strategies to enhance their tumor-targeting and anti-cancer efficacy for virotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Oncology
- Immunology
Background:
- Oncolytic viruses offer a dual mechanism for cancer treatment: direct tumor cell lysis and stimulation of anti-tumor immunity.
- Coxsackievirus group B (CVBs), a type of enterovirus, are gaining attention for their oncolytic potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on developing CVBs as oncolytic viruses for cancer virotherapy.
- To discuss strategies for enhancing CVB safety, tumor specificity, and anti-tumor efficacy.
- To outline challenges and future prospects in CVB-based cancer therapy.
Main Methods:
- Review of preclinical studies on CVBs in cancer models.
- Analysis of various approaches to modify CVBs for enhanced oncolytic activity.
- Discussion of challenges and future directions in the field.
Main Results:
- Preclinical data indicate potent anti-tumor activity of CVBs, especially type 3, against lung, breast, and colorectal cancers.
- Multiple strategies are being investigated to improve CVB safety and tumor-targeting.
- Enhancements aim to increase the overall anti-cancer efficacy of CVB virotherapy.
Conclusions:
- CVBs represent a promising candidate for oncolytic virotherapy due to their demonstrated anti-tumor effects.
- Further research and strategic development are crucial to overcome challenges and realize the full therapeutic potential of CVBs.
- Optimizing CVB delivery and immune stimulation could lead to more effective cancer treatments.
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