Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 21, 2025
Paramyxoviruses for Tumor-targeted Immunomodulation: Design and Evaluation Ex Vivo
Published on: January 7, 2019
Oncolytic virus delivery modulated immune responses toward cancer therapy: Challenges and perspectives
Mohsen Keshavarz1, Seyed Mohammad Miri2, Emad Behboudi3
1The Persian Gulf Tropical Medicine Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran.
Abstract:
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) harness the hallmarks of tumor cells and cancer-related immune responses for the lysis of malignant cells, modulation of the tumor microenvironment, and exertion of vaccine-like activities. However, efficient clinical exploitation of these potent therapeutic modules requires their systematic administration, especially against metastatic and solid tumors. Therefore, developing methods for shielding a virus from the neutralizing environment of the bloodstream while departing toward tumor sites is a must. This paper reports the latest advancements in the employment of chemical and biological compounds aimed at safe and efficient delivery of OVs to target tissues or tumor deposits within the host.
Insights
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) show promise for cancer treatment. New methods are being developed to protect these viruses in the bloodstream for effective delivery to tumors.
Area of Science:
- Oncolytic virotherapy
- Cancer immunotherapy
- Drug delivery systems
Background:
- Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are engineered or naturally occurring viruses that selectively infect and kill cancer cells.
- OVs can also stimulate anti-tumor immune responses, acting as a "vaccine" against cancer.
- Systemic administration of OVs is challenging due to the neutralizing environment of the bloodstream, hindering effective delivery to solid tumors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in protecting oncolytic viruses during systemic delivery.
- To explore chemical and biological strategies for enhancing OV targeting to tumor sites.
- To facilitate the clinical application of OVs against metastatic and solid tumors.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature on chemical and biological shielding strategies for oncolytic viruses.
- Analysis of methods designed to protect OVs from immune clearance in the bloodstream.
- Evaluation of approaches for directing OVs to target tissues and tumor deposits.
Main Results:
- Identification of various chemical and biological compounds that can shield OVs.
- Demonstration of improved delivery efficiency of shielded OVs to tumor sites.
- Evidence suggesting enhanced therapeutic outcomes with protected OV formulations.
Conclusions:
- Protecting oncolytic viruses from the bloodstream is crucial for their effective use in cancer therapy.
- Chemical and biological delivery systems offer promising solutions for systemic OV administration.
- Further development in these delivery strategies is essential for advancing OV-based cancer treatments.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Tumor Immunotherapy
01:30Cancer Vaccines
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
02:49Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
01:27Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
01:29Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics