Oncolytic viruses improve cancer immunotherapy by reprogramming solid tumor microenvironment

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Oncology
• Virology

Background:

• Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy show promise in hematological cancers but have limited efficacy in solid tumors.
• The immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) hinders T-cell infiltration and function, contributing to treatment resistance.
• Oncolytic viruses (OVs) offer a potential strategy to overcome these challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review TME-related factors limiting ICI and CAR T-cell therapy for solid tumors.
• To explore the potential of oncolytic virotherapy (OV) to overcome TME-mediated resistance.
• To discuss OV-based strategies for enhancing current immunotherapies.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of TME inhibitory factors.
• Analysis of OV mechanisms in reprogramming the TME.
• Synthesis of OV synergy with ICIs and CAR T-cell therapy.

Main Results:

• The TME presents significant barriers to ICI and CAR T-cell efficacy in solid tumors.
• OV can induce oncolysis and modulate the TME to enhance anti-tumor immunity.
• OV-based approaches demonstrate potential for synergistic effects with ICIs and CAR T-cells.

Conclusions:

• Oncolytic virotherapy holds promise for overcoming TME-induced resistance in solid tumors.
• OV can be leveraged to improve the therapeutic outcomes of existing immunotherapies.
• Future research should focus on optimizing OV-based combination strategies for advanced solid tumors.