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Updated: Aug 3, 2025
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Paramyxoviruses for Tumor-targeted Immunomodulation: Design and Evaluation Ex Vivo
Published on: January 7, 2019
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Oncolytic virotherapy: basic principles, recent advances and future directions
Danni Lin1,2,3,4, Yinan Shen1,2,3,4, Tingbo Liang5,6,7,8,9
1Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy
|April 11, 2023
Summary
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are engineered to directly destroy cancer cells and stimulate immune responses. Advances in genetic engineering enable OV modification for enhanced safety, efficacy, and combination therapies against cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncolytic virotherapy
- Cancer immunotherapy
- Genetic engineering
Background:
- Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are gaining prominence for their dual action: direct tumor cell lysis and modulation of the anti-cancer immune response.
- Genetic engineering advancements have transformed OVs into adaptable platforms for novel anti-cancer strategies, applicable as monotherapy or in combination regimens.
- Recent clinical studies highlight the significant therapeutic potential of OVs in oncology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the fundamental principles, classifications, and recent advancements in oncolytic virus modification strategies.
- To explore how OV characteristics, biofunctions, and cancer hallmarks inform engineering approaches.
- To discuss the integration of OVs with other therapeutic modalities for enhanced anti-tumor effects.
Main Methods:
- Classification of oncolytic viruses based on their biological properties and mechanisms of action.
- Analysis of recent strategies for modifying OVs to improve target specificity, safety, and therapeutic efficacy.
- Review of preclinical and clinical data on OV applications, including combination therapies.
Main Results:
- Engineered OVs can be optimized for improved tumor targeting and safety ('qualified soldiers').
- OVs can be equipped with 'weapons' for direct cell killing ('cold weapons'), immune activation ('hot weapons'), or auxiliary functions like anti-angiogenesis and extracellular matrix degradation.
- Combination therapies involving OVs demonstrate promising synergistic anti-tumor effects.
Conclusions:
- Oncolytic viruses represent a significant advancement in cancer treatment, offering versatile platforms for therapeutic innovation.
- Strategic modification and combination with other agents are crucial for maximizing OV efficacy.
- Further clinical development and strategic application are essential to fully realize the potential of OVs in cancer therapy.
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