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Updated: Oct 20, 2025

Paramyxoviruses for Tumor-targeted Immunomodulation: Design and Evaluation Ex Vivo
Published on: January 7, 2019
Current strategies in engaging oncolytic viruses with antitumor immunity
Drew Ashton Boagni1, Divya Ravirala1, Shaun Xiaoliu Zhang1
1Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
Abstract:
Oncolytic virotherapy has produced promising yet limited results in preclinical and clinical studies. Besides direct oncolytic activity, a significant therapeutic mechanism of oncolytic virotherapy is the induction of tumor-specific immunity. Consequently, the efficacy of oncolytic viruses can be improved by the insertion of immune stimulator genes and rational combinatorial therapy with other immunotherapies. This article reviews recent efforts on arming oncolytic viruses with a variety of immune stimulator molecules, immune cell engagers, and other immune potentiating molecules. We outline what is known about the mechanisms of action and the corresponding results. The review also discusses recent preclinical and clinical studies of combining oncolytic virotherapy with immune-checkpoint inhibitors and the role of oncolytic virotherapy in changing the tumor microenvironment.
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