Oncolytic Virus-Based Cytokine Expression to Improve Immune Activity in Brain and Solid Tumors

Abstract

Oncolytic viral therapy has gained significant traction as cancer therapy over the past 2 decades. Oncolytic viruses are uniquely designed both to lyse tumor cells through their replication and to recruit immune responses against virally infected cells. Increasingly, investigators are leveraging this immune response to target the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and improve immune effector response against bystander tumor cells. In this article, we review the spectrum of preclinical, early-stage clinical, and potential future efforts with cytokine-secreting oncolytic viruses, with a focus on the treatment of brain tumors and solid tumors. Keywords: interferon, IL-12, IL-15, IL-24, GM-CSF, IL-18, IL-6, tumor microenvironment, PDL-1, NK