# Progress in the research and development of oncolytic virus therapies

## TL;DR

Oncolytic viruses selectively target and destroy cancer cells, offering a promising new approach in cancer treatment with potential for future improvements through advanced technologies.

## Contribution

The paper systematically reviews the development and clinical translation of oncolytic viruses, emphasizing recent advances and future directions.

## Key findings

- Oncolytic viruses have been approved for treating melanoma, glioblastoma, and head and neck cancers.
- Challenges include limited monotherapy efficacy and issues with systemic delivery and manufacturing.
- Future advancements using CRISPR and multimodal therapies may enhance precision and personalization in treatment.

## Abstract

Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are a class of viral preparations with selective replication capability in tumor cells and the ability to activate systemic anti-tumor immunity. They have emerged as an important breakthrough in cancer treatment following chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immune checkpoint inhibitors. This article systematically reviews the developmental trajectory of OVs from the accidental discovery of wild strains to their genetic engineering-based modification and optimization, and subsequently to accelerated clinical translation. It primarily highlights key advances in viral backbone design, immune regulatory gene insertion, and combination therapy strategies. Currently, several OV-based therapeutics have been approved for clinical use worldwide for the treatment of various solid tumors, including melanoma, glioblastoma, and head and neck cancers, demonstrating their extensive potential for broader indication coverage as evidenced by ongoing clinical trials. Although OVs possess unique advantages in their ability to remodel the tumor microenvironment and elicit both local and systemic anti-tumor effects, their clinical application still faces challenges such as limited monotherapy efficacy, barriers to systemic delivery, a lack of precision biomarkers, and issues in large-scale manufacturing and quality control. Looking ahead, by drawing on cutting-edge technologies such as CRISPR-based gene editing, reverse genetics, advanced delivery systems, and multimodal combination therapy, OVs are expected to achieve greater precision and personalization in cancer treatment, thereby promoting their wider application in the management of solid tumors.