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Updated: Jun 16, 2025
Paramyxoviruses for Tumor-targeted Immunomodulation: Design and Evaluation Ex Vivo
Published on: January 7, 2019
Immunogenic cell death-based oncolytic virus therapy: A sharp sword of tumor immunotherapy
Jingyu Zhang1, Jiahe Chen1, Kezhi Lin2
1The First Clinical College of Wenzhou Medical University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.
Abstract:
Tumor immunotherapy, especially immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), has been applied in clinical practice, but low response to immune therapies remains a thorny issue. Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are considered promising for cancer treatment because they can selectively target and destroy tumor cells followed by spreading to nearby tumor tissues for a new round of infection. Immunogenic cell death (ICD), which is the major mechanism of OVs' anticancer effects, is induced by endoplasmic reticulum stress and reactive oxygen species overload after virus infection. Subsequent release of specific damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) from different types of tumor cells can transform the tumor microenvironment from "cold" to "hot". In this paper, we broadly define ICD as those types of cell death that is immunogenic, and describe their signaling pathways respectively. Focusing on ICD, we also elucidate the advantages and disadvantages of recent combination therapies and their future prospects.
Insights
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) show promise in cancer treatment by inducing immunogenic cell death (ICD). This process enhances the immune response, potentially overcoming low response rates to current immunotherapies like immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Virology
Background:
- Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) show limited efficacy in many cancer patients.
- Oncolytic viruses (OVs) offer a promising therapeutic strategy by selectively targeting tumor cells.
- OVs induce immunogenic cell death (ICD), a key mechanism for activating anti-tumor immunity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To broadly define immunogenic cell death (ICD) and its signaling pathways.
- To explore the role of ICD in transforming the tumor microenvironment from 'cold' to 'hot'.
- To review combination therapies involving ICD and discuss their future prospects.
Main Methods:
- Review of scientific literature on oncolytic viruses and immunogenic cell death.
- Analysis of signaling pathways involved in virus-induced ICD.
- Evaluation of current combination therapies and their clinical outcomes.
Main Results:
- OVs induce ICD through endoplasmic reticulum stress and reactive oxygen species overload.
- ICD releases damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), enhancing anti-tumor immune responses.
- Combination therapies involving ICD show potential but require further investigation.
Conclusions:
- Immunogenic cell death is a critical mechanism for oncolytic virus therapy.
- Targeting ICD can improve the efficacy of cancer immunotherapies.
- Further research into ICD-based combination strategies is warranted for improved cancer treatment.
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