Oncolytic Herpes Simplex Virus Therapy: Latest Advances, Core Challenges, and Future Outlook

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Virology
• Immunotherapy

Background:

• Oncolytic virus (OV) therapy, specifically oncolytic herpes simplex virus (oHSV), is an emerging cancer treatment strategy.
• Clinical milestones include FDA approval of Talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) and Teserpaturev/G47Δ.

Purpose of the Study:

• Synthesize preclinical and clinical advancements in oHSV therapy over the past decade.
• Analyze challenges in target selection, genetic modification, administration, and delivery.
• Review novel delivery vehicles and gene-editing strategies for oHSV.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of preclinical and clinical studies on oHSV therapy.
• Analysis of genetic modification techniques and delivery systems.
• Evaluation of combination strategies with immunomodulatory transgenes and immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Main Results:

• Arming oHSV with immunomodulatory transgenes (cytokines, antibodies) enhances therapeutic efficacy.
• Combining oHSV with immune checkpoint inhibitors is a critical strategy for improved outcomes.
• Novel delivery vehicles like nanoparticles and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) show potential.

Conclusions:

• oHSV therapy is a promising strategy for refractory cancers.
• Precision engineering with CRISPR/Cas9 and biomarker-guided personalized medicine are future research directions.
• Developing safer and more effective oHSV-based treatments is the primary goal.