Challenges and progress toward tumor-targeted therapy by systemic delivery of polymer-complexed oncolytic

Thavasyappan Thambi1, JinWoo Hong2, A-Rum Yoon1,3

  • 1Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Korea.

Cancer Gene Therapy
|April 21, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Polymer modification of oncolytic adenoviruses (oAds) improves systemic delivery and tumor retention. This strategy enhances antitumor activity by overcoming challenges in viral administration for cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Oncology
  • Virology

Background:

  • Oncolytic adenoviruses (oAds) show promise for cancer treatment via selective replication in tumor cells.
  • Clinical application is limited by poor systemic delivery and insufficient intratumoral retention of oAds.
  • Current strategies focus on enhancing viral efficacy and safety for broader therapeutic use.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the advancements in polymer-modified oncolytic adenoviruses (oAds) for cancer therapy.
  • To explore how polymer complexation addresses challenges in oAd delivery and efficacy.
  • To discuss the future prospects and hurdles in the clinical translation of polymer-complexed oAds.

Main Methods:

  • Chemical and physical modification of adenovirus surfaces using non-immunogenic polymers.
  • Complexation of oAds with polymers to evade immune responses and reduce liver sequestration.
  • Incorporation of tumor-targeting moieties onto polymer-oAd complexes for enhanced tumor specificity.

Main Results:

  • Polymer modification improves the systemic administrability of oAds.
  • Complexation with polymers enhances viral evasion of host immune surveillance.
  • Surface modifications can lead to improved tumor-specific delivery and retention of oAds.

Conclusions:

  • Polymer-complexed oAds represent a promising strategy to enhance cancer treatment efficacy.
  • Further research is needed to optimize polymer design and targeting moieties for clinical success.
  • Overcoming delivery and retention challenges is crucial for maximizing the therapeutic potential of oAds.

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