Oncolytic Viruses: A Selective and Innovative Therapy in Cancer Treatment

Abstract

Immunotherapy strategies, formulated as alternatives to conventional cancer therapies like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, provide unique techniques that align with the tumor microenvironment, enhance targeted immune responses, and minimize systemic toxicity. These advanced therapeutic techniques has the capability to selectively identify tumor antigens, modify the tumor microenvironment, and eradicate immunosuppressive processes. Oncolytic virus therapy induces direct cell lysis through tumor-specific viral multiplication and activates adaptive immunity through virus-induced immunogenic cell death. Molecules including damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) generated after immunogenic cell death stimulate dendritic cells and other antigen-presenting cells, facilitating the recognition and targeting of tumorspecific antigens by cytotoxic T lymphocytes. This facilitates the development of an anticancer immune response in both local tumor tissue and metastatic locations. Oncolytic viruses provide a different approach for solid tumors that are resistant or refractory to traditional therapy, hence enhancing their clinical significance. This article discusses the molecular foundation of oncolytic virus therapy, the characteristics of the viral vectors employed, application tactics, clinical research outcomes, and prospective future applications in a comprehensive manner.