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Paramyxoviruses for Tumor-targeted Immunomodulation: Design and Evaluation Ex Vivo
Published on: January 7, 2019
Evolving Role of Oncolytic Virotherapy: Challenges and Prospects in Clinical Practice
Omeed Moaven1, Christopher W Mangieri2, John A Stauffer1
1Section of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic Florida, Jacksonville, FL.
Abstract:
Selective oncotropism and cytolytic activity against tumors have made certain viruses subject to investigation as novel treatment modalities. However, monotherapy with oncolytic viruses (OVs) has shown limited success and modest clinical benefit. The capacity to genetically engineer OVs makes them a desirable platform to design complementary treatment modalities to overcome the existing treatment options' shortcomings. In recent years, our knowledge of interactions of the tumors with the immune system has expanded profoundly. There is a growing body of literature supporting immunomodulatory roles for OVs. The concept of bioengineering these platforms to induce the desired immune response and complement the current immunotherapeutic modalities to make immune-resistant tumors responsive to immunotherapy is under investigation in preclinical and early clinical trials. This review provides an overview of attempts to optimize oncolytic virotherapy as essential components of the multimodality anticancer therapeutic approach and discusses the challenges in translation to clinical practice.
Insights
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) show promise for cancer treatment but require enhancement. Bioengineering OVs to work with immunotherapy may overcome resistance and improve patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Virology
- Immunotherapy
Background:
- Oncolytic viruses (OVs) exhibit selective tumor-targeting and cancer-killing properties.
- OV monotherapy has demonstrated limited clinical efficacy and success.
- Genetic engineering of OVs offers a platform for developing complementary cancer therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review strategies for optimizing oncolytic virotherapy.
- To explore the immunomodulatory potential of engineered OVs.
- To discuss the integration of OVs into multimodality cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of preclinical and early clinical trial data.
- Analysis of literature on OV-tumor-immune system interactions.
- Examination of bioengineering approaches for OVs.
Main Results:
- OVs possess inherent oncotropism and cytolytic effects.
- Engineered OVs can be designed to elicit anti-tumor immune responses.
- OVs are being investigated to enhance immunotherapy efficacy in resistant tumors.
Conclusions:
- Oncolytic virotherapy is a promising component of multimodality cancer treatment.
- Bioengineering OVs to modulate the immune system is a key research area.
- Translating OV therapies into clinical practice faces significant challenges.
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