Oncolytic viruses (OVs) have attracted rising recognition in the last two decades, as they generally manifest as having direct oncolytic and cancer immunity effects. In cancer treatment, efficacy and safety are of utmost importance, and therapy using oncolytic viruses has shown to be very promising. To date, several viruses, including adenovirus, herpes simplex virus, vaccinia virus, coxsackievirus, picornavirus, reovirus, and measles virus, are being extensively investigated to treat various types of advanced solid cancers. Considering their therapeutic efficacy, safety, and notably reduced side effects, using such engineered viruses in biological cancer therapy can potentially establish a milestone in cancer research. With the advancement of genetic engineering technology, OVs have established a versatile platform for developing novel anti-tumor strategies, either alone or in combination with current therapies.

This Research Topic is of paramount importance as it aims to delve deeper into the biological mechanisms by which OVs attack cancer cells and to evaluate their efficacy and safety as therapeutic agents. The topic focuses on the basic principles of OVs and the recent advances in OV modification strategies, which include characteristics, biofunctions, and cancer hallmarks. The goals are to identify specific viral properties and host responses that can be harnessed to optimize therapeutic outcomes and minimize side effects. To gather further insights in this burgeoning field, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes relating to OVs:

• The native tumor-killing effects in various cancer treatments, emphasizing viral properties, ease of generation, stability, and safety.

• Genetically engineered OVs with oncolytic viruses armed with targeting modifications to enhance receptor or tumor-specific targeting uptake to eliminate cancer cells.

• Genetically engineered OVs expressing various therapeutic genes: tumor killing, immune-stimulating, activating cancer immunotherapy such as CART-therapy, immune responses, cytokines, and cellular pathways.

• Combination strategies: OVs can be combined with traditional and emerging cancer treatments, such as anti-cancer drugs and molecules that include auxiliary factors, by harnessing tactics such as anti-angiogenesis and investigating reversed metabolic reprogramming and decomposing extracellular tumor matrices.

• Updates and outcomes of OV therapies in blocking specific cancer pathways or oncogenes at transcriptome or proteome levels.

• Applications of OVs in precision medicine: for specific cancer patients.

This Research Topic aligns with the recent advancements and challenges within the field, aiming to provide a platform for the latest research and discussions surrounding the use of OVs in cancer therapy. This underscores the significance of OVs as a new strategy in cancer treatment and the important contribution of your work in the advancement of this field. Contributions are integral to the advancement of this research and the development of effective cancer therapies.

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

Oncolytic Viruses in Cancer Treatment: Exploring Molecular Mechanisms