Oncolytic Virus

Oncolytic Virus designates naturally occurring or genetically engineered viruses that selectively infect, replicate within, and destroy cancer cells while sparing normal tissues, offering dual therapeutic mechanisms combining direct tumour cell lysis with immune system activation through releasing tumour antigens and inflammatory signals. The biopharmaceutical industry has successfully commercialised oncolytic virotherapy with talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) approved for melanoma, employing modified herpes simplex virus expressing GM-CSF to enhance immune responses.

Development strategies encompass multiple viral platforms including herpes viruses, adenoviruses, vaccinia viruses, and measles viruses. Genetic engineering enhances therapeutic potential through deleting viral genes improving safety, inserting immunostimulatory transgenes amplifying immune responses, or incorporating tumour-specific promoters restricting viral gene expression to cancer cells. Mechanism of action extends beyond direct oncolysis to include immunogenic cell death releasing danger signals, and conversion of immunologically cold tumours into hot tumours responsive to immune checkpoint blockade. Combination strategies show particular promise with oncolytic viruses plus checkpoint inhibitors demonstrating synergistic efficacy. As engineering advances improve tumour selectivity and clinical experience identifies optimal combinations, oncolytic virotherapy continues maturing as a multifaceted cancer immunotherapy platform.