Oncolytic Viruses - Genetically Engineering the Future of Cancer Therapy

131.7K

views

81

authors

17

articles

Editorial

13 November 2017

Editorial: Oncolytic Viruses—Genetically Engineering the Future of Cancer Therapy

Benjamin Gesundheit

and

Joshua P. Rosenzweig

4,177 views

4 citations

Editors

2

Benjamin Gesundheit

Joshua Pesach Rosenzweig

Impact

About

Since the 1960's oncolytic viruses (OVs) have been a target of research as a therapeutic modality for cancer. The mechanism of these viruses involves both direct tumor cell lysis and the induction of immunogenic cell death (ICD). Clinical trials have explored a wide variety of viruses including naturally occurring viruses and genetically engineered viruses. Indications have spanned the gamut from hepatocellular carcinoma to soft tissue sarcoma to glioblastoma multiforme to multiple myeloma. In the past year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the first FDA-approved oncolytic virus therapy, for the treatment of melanoma lesions in the skin and lymph nodes. Oncolytic viruses have been used as single agent therapy or in combination with conventional cancer therapies. Current challenges including both scientific and regulatory do not diminish the significant potential for the future of this modality. Questions about the advantages of one virus over the other, the synergistic potential of multiple viruses used in combination, dosage, and optimal route of administration remain unresolved and demand further research. Furthermore, the possibility that a particular oncolytic virus might be more suitable for a specific cancer type than other oncolytic viruses depending on the mechanism of the virus and the nature of the cancer raises additional research challenges. The precise role of adjuvant therapies such as dendritic cells in combination with oncolytic viruses is yet another unresolved area in this innovative field.

Since the 1960's oncolytic viruses (OVs) have been a target of research as a therapeutic modality for cancer. The mechanism of these viruses involves both direct tumor cell lysis and the induction of immunogenic cell death (ICD). Clinical trials have explored a wide variety of viruses including naturally occurring viruses and genetically engineered viruses. Indications have spanned the gamut from hepatocellular carcinoma to soft tissue sarcoma to glioblastoma multiforme to multiple myeloma. In the past year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the first FDA-approved oncolytic virus therapy, for the treatment of melanoma lesions in the skin and lymph nodes. Oncolytic viruses have been used as single agent therapy or in combination with conventional cancer therapies. Current challenges including both scientific and regulatory do not diminish the significant potential for the future of this modality. Questions about the advantages of one virus over the other, the synergistic potential of multiple viruses used in combination, dosage, and optimal route of administration remain unresolved and demand further research. Furthermore, the possibility that a particular oncolytic virus might be more suitable for a specific cancer type than other oncolytic viruses depending on the mechanism of the virus and the nature of the cancer raises additional research challenges. The precise role of adjuvant therapies such as dendritic cells in combination with oncolytic viruses is yet another unresolved area in this innovative field.

Download ebook

Share

Editors

Benjamin Gesundheit

Joshua Pesach Rosenzweig

Impact

131,660 Total views

96,202 Article views

27,359 Article downloads

8,099 Topic views

Published In

Journal Thumbnail

Frontiers in Oncology

Cancer Immunity and Immunotherapy

Journal Thumbnail

Frontiers in Immunology

Cancer Immunity and Immunotherapy

About Frontiers Research Topics

With their unique mixes of varied contributions from Original Research to Review Articles, Research Topics unify the most influential researchers, the latest key findings and historical advances in a hot research area! Find out more on how to host your own Frontiers Research Topic or contribute to one as an author.

Suggest a topic