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Updated: Jul 23, 2025

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Hypoxia effects on oncolytic virotherapy in Cancer: Friend or Foe?

Maryam Sadri1, Alireza Najafi1, Ali Rahimi1

  • 1Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

International Immunopharmacology
|July 11, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Oncolytic viruses (OVs) show promise for cancer treatment, but the tumor microenvironment (TME) poses challenges. Hypoxia in the TME affects OV efficacy, suggesting targeted modifications for improved cancer virotherapy outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Virology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are a promising cancer treatment strategy, particularly for solid tumors.
  • OVs exert anti-cancer effects through direct tumor cell lysis and immune response induction.
  • The immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) presents a significant hurdle for effective oncolytic virotherapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current advancements in cancer virotherapy.
  • To discuss the complex role of hypoxia within the TME on OV efficacy.
  • To explore strategies for optimizing OV-based cancer treatments by addressing hypoxia.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on oncolytic virotherapy.
  • Analysis of the dual effects of hypoxia on various OV types.
  • Examination of genetic and molecular modifications to enhance OV performance in hypoxic TME.

Main Results:

  • Hypoxia in the TME can differentially impact OV replication, either accelerating or inhibiting it depending on the OV.
  • Genetic manipulation of OVs or TME modification to reduce hypoxia can potentially enhance antitumor immune responses.
  • Utilizing OVs with tumor lysis capabilities in hypoxic TME is a potential strategy to overcome therapeutic limitations.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the nuanced effects of hypoxia is crucial for advancing oncolytic virotherapy.
  • Targeted strategies to mitigate hypoxia are essential for maximizing the therapeutic potential of OVs.
  • Further research into OV modifications and TME interactions will refine cancer treatment approaches.
Keywords:
Cancer TherapyHypoxiaOncolytic VirusTumor Microenvironment

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