Oncolytic viruses in cancer therapy

Apurva and P Nagini

: J Bioengineer & Biomedical Sci

Abstract :

Virotherapy is not a new concept, but recent technical advances in the genetic modification of oncolytic viruses have improved their tumor specificity, leading to the development of new weapons for the war against cancer. The nature of viral delivery, infection, and replication makes oncolytic virotherapy valuable for treating cancer patients, especially those with inoperable tumors. Oncolytic virotherapy targets cancer cells to achieve a strong cytolytic effect. In this review, we describe the basis of oncolytic virotherapy and the development of genetically modified tumor-specific viruses. We also summarize oncolytic virotherapy clinical trials and their success rate, as well as the economical obstacles, and the evidence that oncolytic virotherapy may provide novel agents for metastatic diseases. We conclude with current and future challenges in oncolytic virotherapy, like specificity of delivery, and the safety concerns raised by the trials conducted so far.