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Cancer genetics and response to oncolytic virus treatment for ovarian cancer

Erin L Fletcher1,2, Alison O Cudmore1,2, Barbara C Vanderhyden1,2

  • 1Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.

Pharmacogenomics
|November 20, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Oncolytic viruses (OVs) show promise for treating ovarian cancer (OC) by enhancing immune responses. Combinatorial therapies and genetically modified OVs are being explored to overcome limited success with monotherapies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Virology
  • Immunotherapy

Background:

  • Ovarian cancers (OCs) are poorly immunogenic, leading to low response rates to current immunotherapies and chemotherapy resistance.
  • Oncolytic viruses (OVs) offer a multifactorial approach to cancer treatment, enhancing immune cell infiltration and tumor targeting.
  • This review focuses on four extensively studied OVs: vaccinia virus, vesicular stomatitis virus, herpes simplex 1, and adenoviruses in OC treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the development and application of OVs in ovarian cancer treatment.
  • To explore monotherapy and combinatorial approaches using OVs for OC.
  • To examine the influence of OC genetics on OV response and OV genetic modifications for improved efficacy.

Main Methods:

  • Review of preclinical models and clinical trials involving OVs in ovarian cancer.
  • Analysis of OV monotherapy outcomes in OC.
  • Investigation of combinatorial strategies and genetically modified OVs for OC.

Main Results:

  • OV monotherapies have shown limited success in ovarian cancer treatment.
  • Combinatorial approaches involving OVs are under investigation to improve patient outcomes.
  • Genetic modifications of OVs are being developed to enhance cancer specificity and efficacy based on OC genetics.

Conclusions:

  • OVs represent a promising therapeutic strategy for ovarian cancer, particularly in combination therapies.
  • Understanding OC genetics is crucial for optimizing OV therapy.
  • Genetically engineered OVs hold potential for improved specificity and efficacy in treating ovarian cancer.
Keywords:
Oncolytic virusadenoviruscombination therapyherpes simplex virus 1ovarian cancervaccinia virusvesicular stomatitis virus

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