The discrete charm of oncolytic viruses: Toward the finish line

Pedro R Lowenstein; Maria Luisa Varela; Maria G Castro

doi:10.1016/j.ccell.2025.03.010

The discrete charm of oncolytic viruses: Toward the finish line

Cancer Cell. 2025 Apr 14;43(4):611-618. doi: 10.1016/j.ccell.2025.03.010. Epub 2025 Mar 27.

Authors

Pedro R Lowenstein¹, Maria Luisa Varela², Maria G Castro²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. Electronic address: pedrol@med.umich.edu.
² Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.

PMID: 40154484
DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2025.03.010

Abstract

Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are being optimized to treat cancer, including brain, ovarian, lung, and pancreatic tumors. Recent advances include replicating adenoviruses and herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) armed with therapeutic transgenes, combined with serial injections and systemic delivery via retargeting, as achieved for adeno-associated virus 9 (AAV9). Clinical trials are showing promising efficacy. Here, we summarize the advancements and challenges associated with OV-based cancer therapies and discuss their mechanisms of action and strategies for enhancing the efficacy of OV treatments.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Dependovirus / genetics
Genetic Therapy / methods
Genetic Vectors
Herpesvirus 1, Human / genetics
Humans
Neoplasms* / genetics
Neoplasms* / therapy
Neoplasms* / virology
Oncolytic Virotherapy* / methods
Oncolytic Viruses* / genetics
Oncolytic Viruses* / physiology