The oncolytic virotherapy treatment platform for cancer: unique biological and biosafety points to consider.
The field of replication-selective oncolytic viruses (virotherapy) has exploded over the last 10 years. As with many novel therapeutic approaches, initial overexuberance has been tempered by clinical trial results with first-generation agents. Although a number of significant hurdles to this approach have now been identified, novel solutions have been proposed and improvements are being made at a furious rate. This article seeks to initiate a discussion of these hurdles, approaches to overcome them, and unique safety and regulatory issues to consider.
Vile
Richard
R
Molecular Medicine Program, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
Ando
Dale
D
Kirn
David
D
D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy* / Q000821:virology; D011634:Public Health; D012307:Risk Factors; D012449:Safety; D014780:Viruses / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity