The investigation of oncolytic viruses in the field of cancer therapy

The evolving landscape of oncolytic virus immunotherapy: combinatorial strategies and novel engineering approaches

Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are a promising class of cancer therapy, exploiting their abilities to selectively infect and kill cancer cells while stimulating antitumor immune responses. The current assessment explores the changing horizons of OV immunotherapy, focusing on recent advances in technology plans to improve OV projects and combined approaches to improve curative efficacy. We discuss how OVs induce direct oncolysis and promote the release of tumor-associated antigens, leading to the activation of both innate and adaptive immunity. Special attention shall be given to programs for arm OVs to express curative genes, modify the tumor microenvironment and overcome immunosuppression. Moreover, we assess the synergies of uniting OVs with other immunotherapeutic techniques, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors and cell therapy, to improve tolerant outcomes. The present assessment provides an understanding of the relevant declaration of the OV analysis, highlighting the main obstacles and the future directions for the development of other capable and targeted cancer immunotherapy.

The Role of NK Cells in Cancer Immunotherapy: Mechanisms, Evasion Strategies, and Therapeutic Advances

Background/Objectives: Natural killer (NK) cells play a crucial role in tumor surveillance by exerting cytotoxic activity and modulating immune responses. However, tumors employ diverse evasion strategies that limit NK cell effectiveness. This review aims to explore the molecular mechanisms of NK cell activation and inhibition in cancer, the influence of the tumor microenvironment, and the latest advancements in NK cell-based immunotherapies, including adoptive NK cell transfer and Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Natural Killer (CAR-NK) cell therapies. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted, prioritizing peer-reviewed studies from the last decade on NK cell biology, tumor immune evasion, and immunotherapeutic applications. The analysis includes data from preclinical models and clinical trials evaluating NK cell expansion strategies, cytokine-based stimulation, and CAR-NK cell therapy developments. Results: NK cells eliminate tumors through cytotoxic granule release, death receptor pathways, and cytokine secretion. However, tumor cells evade NK-mediated immunity by downregulating activating ligands, secreting immunosuppressive molecules, and altering the tumor microenvironment. Novel NK cell-based therapies, such as CAR-NK cells and combination approaches with immune checkpoint inhibitors, enhance NK cell persistence and therapeutic efficacy against both hematologic and solid malignancies. Clinical trials suggest improved safety profiles compared to CAR-T therapies, with reduced cytokine release syndrome and graft-versus-host disease. Conclusions: While NK cell-based immunotherapies hold great promise, challenges remain, including limited persistence and tumor-induced immunosuppression. Addressing these hurdles will be critical for optimizing NK cell therapies and advancing next-generation, off-the-shelf immunotherapeutics for broader clinical applications.

Investigating the potential of oncolytic viruses in the treatment of melanoma: where do we go from here?

Oncolytic viruses (OVs) can destroy cancer cells without harming healthy cells. This review explores the mechanisms by which OVs operate and the methods of delivering them. Melanoma is a common type of skin cancer with increasing prevalence in the UK; therefore, finding effective strategies to combat the disease is paramount. To understand the potential of OVs in treating melanoma, different types of viruses will be reviewed. Talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) is the only OV to be approved for treating melanoma; this review aims to understand the efficacy of T-VEC as a monotherapy and combined with other treatments. There is substantial evidence to support the use of OVs in treating melanoma by synthesizing the current perspectives of their use where they proved to be effective in clinical trials, as monotherapies and in combination with other treatments, as well as exciting innovative ventures using novel virus species. Gaps are also highlighted in the research, such as determining the influence that cancer gene mutational status has on how the tumour cells react to treatment, a concept that should also be considered in future research.

Oncolytic virotherapy against lung cancer: key receptors and signaling pathways of viral entry

Lung cancer accounts for the highest cancer-related mortality worldwide. While immunotherapies targeting anti-tumor immune responses have demonstrated efficacy in clinical practice, the demand for novel treatment modalities remains urgent. Oncolytic viruses (OVs), which selectively kill tumor cells while stimulating an anti-tumor immune response, represent a potential breakthrough in lung cancer therapy. The induction of anti-tumor immunity by OVs is central to their overall therapeutic effectiveness. Many natural receptors on the surface of cancer cells are dysregulated, providing potential entry points for OVs. Furthermore, the inherent dysregulation of some key signaling pathways in lung cancer cells promotes proliferation, progression and metastasis, which may facilitate selective viral replication. In this review, we explore the application of OVs in lung cancer by analyzing several major OVs and their corresponding entry receptors. Then, we also examine the key signaling pathways and molecules with the potential to synergize with OVs in modulating the immune tumor microenvironment. Finally, we discuss the combination and administration strategies that warrant further clinical trials for validation. Despite certain limitations, the tolerability of OVs positions virotherapy as a promising avenue in the future of lung cancer treatment.