Virus-inspired strategies for cancer therapy

Semin Cancer Biol. 2022 Nov;86(Pt 3):1143-1157. doi: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.06.021. Epub 2021 Jun 26.

Abstract

The intentional use of viruses for cancer therapy dates back over a century. As viruses are inherently immunogenic and naturally optimized delivery vehicles, repurposing viruses for drug delivery, tumor antigen presentation, or selective replication in cancer cells represents a simple and elegant approach to cancer treatment. While early virotherapy was fraught with harsh side effects and low response rates, virus-based therapies have recently seen a resurgence due to newfound abilities to engineer and tune oncolytic viruses, virus-like particles, and virus-mimicking nanoparticles for improved safety and efficacy. However, despite their great potential, very few virus-based therapies have made it through clinical trials. In this review, we present an overview of virus-inspired approaches for cancer therapy, discuss engineering strategies to enhance their mechanisms of action, and highlight their application for overcoming the challenges of traditional cancer therapies.

Keywords: Cancer; Drug delivery; Gene therapy; Immunotherapy; Nanomedicine; Oncolytic viruses; Virus-like particles; Virus-mimicking nanoparticles.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy
  • Nanoparticles*
  • Neoplasms*
  • Oncolytic Virotherapy*
  • Oncolytic Viruses* / genetics