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Paramyxoviruses for Tumor-targeted Immunomodulation: Design and Evaluation Ex Vivo
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Tumor Tropism of DNA Viruses for Oncolytic Virotherapy

Junior A Enow1,2, Hummad I Sheikh1, Masmudur M Rahman1,2

  • 1Biodesign Center for Personalized Diagnostics, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA.

Viruses
|November 25, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Oncolytic viruses (OVs) show promise in cancer immunotherapy by targeting cancer cells. Genetic engineering of DNA viruses like herpes simplex virus 1 enhances their tumor-targeting ability for improved cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Virology
  • Immunotherapy

Background:

  • Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are potent cancer immunotherapy agents that selectively destroy cancer cells.
  • OVs can be DNA or RNA viruses with natural or engineered cancer cell tropism.
  • DNA viruses offer genome stability and transgene insertion advantages for OV development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the natural characteristics of DNA viruses used as oncolytic agents.
  • To examine genetic modifications enhancing tumor tropism in DNA oncolytic viruses.
  • To highlight the potential of engineered DNA viruses in cancer therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Review of scientific literature on oncolytic DNA viruses.
  • Analysis of genetic modifications in herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and other DNA viruses.
  • Evaluation of enhanced tumor tropism and reduced toxicity in engineered OVs.

Main Results:

  • Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) is an approved oncolytic DNA virus for cancer treatment.
  • Genetic engineering significantly improves cancer cell selectivity and reduces toxicity of OVs.
  • Engineered DNA viruses demonstrate enhanced tumor tropism for effective cancer targeting.

Conclusions:

  • Oncolytic DNA viruses, particularly engineered HSV-1, represent a successful cancer immunotherapy strategy.
  • Genetic modifications are crucial for optimizing OV efficacy and safety.
  • Further research into engineered DNA viruses holds significant promise for advancing cancer treatment.
Keywords:
DNA virusadenovirusherpesvirusoncolytic virotherapyoncolytic viruspoxvirustumor tropism

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