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Injectable Supramolecular Polymer-Nanoparticle Hydrogels for Cell and Drug Delivery Applications
Published on: February 7, 2021
Hydrogel Micro/Nanostructures for the Delivery of Oncolytic Viruses: Overcoming Limitations and Improving Efficacy
Chou-Yi Hsu1, Saade Abdalkareem Jasim2, Jasur Alimdjanovich Rizaev3
1Thunderbird School of Global Management, Arizona State University Tempe Campus, Phoenix, Arizona 85004, USA.
Abstract:
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) have attracted accumulating attention in cancer therapy owing to their ability to replicate in and kill tumor cells, resulting in the stimulation of immune responses for eradicating residual and distant malignant cells. Despite milestone achievements in the development of OVs, which led to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) in 2015 against melanoma, there are some hurdles limiting their translation from the bench to the clinic, such as non-specific localization, host immune response against OVs and their clearance, and low efficiency as a monotherapy. Delivery of OVs with nano-biomaterials is a promising approach to address the drawback of oncolytic virotherapy. Hydrogels, with their tunable characteristics and versatile properties, offer a promising platform for the controlled release, precise delivery, and therapeutic enhancement of OVs in combination with other therapeutic agents in the treatment of cancers. This review aims to provide a deep insight into the types and development of OVs and their application in clinical trials and then will discuss the characteristics of hydrogels and how they improve the therapeutic efficacy of OVs.
Insights
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) show promise in cancer therapy by targeting tumors and stimulating immune responses. Hydrogels offer a novel delivery system to enhance OV efficacy and overcome clinical limitations.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Nanotechnology
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are engineered viruses that selectively replicate in and kill cancer cells, stimulating anti-tumor immune responses.
- Despite successes like talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC), challenges remain, including non-specific delivery, immune clearance, and limited monotherapy efficacy.
- Nano-biomaterials present a viable strategy to improve OV delivery and therapeutic outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the development and clinical applications of oncolytic viruses (OVs).
- To explore the characteristics of hydrogels as a delivery platform for OVs.
- To discuss how hydrogels enhance the therapeutic efficacy of OVs in cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of oncolytic virus therapy and hydrogel-based drug delivery systems.
- Analysis of current research on OV applications in clinical trials.
- Examination of hydrogel properties relevant to controlled release and targeted delivery of therapeutic agents.
Main Results:
- Oncolytic viruses demonstrate potential in cancer treatment by inducing tumor cell lysis and immune stimulation.
- Hydrogels offer tunable properties for controlled release, precise delivery, and enhanced therapeutic effects of OVs.
- Combining OVs with hydrogels can potentially overcome limitations of OV monotherapy and improve treatment outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Hydrogel-based delivery systems show significant promise for advancing oncolytic virus therapy.
- This approach addresses key challenges in OV translation, potentially leading to more effective cancer treatments.
- Further research into hydrogel-OV combinations is warranted to optimize cancer therapy strategies.
