Recent clinical progress in virus-based therapies for cancer.
As our knowledge of the molecular basis of cancer expands, viral vectors have been increasingly studied as potential antitumour therapeutic agents. With their ability to invade and replicate within target cells, viruses have been utilised as oncolytic agents to directly lyse tumour cells. Viruses can also deliver their genetic payload into infected cells, allowing for the repair of defective tumour suppressor genes, disruption of oncogenic pathways, and production of cytokines that activate the immune system. Finally, viruses encoding tumour-associated antigens can infect dendritic cells, triggering the development of a tumour-specific immune response. The ability to engineer viruses with high levels of tumour specificity and efficient rates of infection has enhanced the safety profile of these agents, allowing for the development of viable therapeutic options that have been examined in the clinic, either alone or in conjunction with more conventional therapies. This review highlights the principles underlying virus-based therapies for cancer, with an emphasis on recent developments from the clinic.
Woo
Christopher Y
CY
Duke University Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Programme in Molecular Therapeutics, Comprehensive Cancer Center, 401 MSRB, Research Drive, Durham, NC 27710, USA. christopher.woo@duke.edu
Osada
Takuya
T
Clay
Timothy M
TM
Lyerly
H Kim
HK
Morse
Michael A
MA
D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D050130:Oncolytic Virotherapy / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000235:genetics
D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D014765:Viral Vaccines