Reprogrammed Viruses As Cancer Therapeutics: Targeted, Armed and Shielded

Overview

Journal Nat Rev Microbiol

Specialties Infectious Diseases
Microbiology

Date 2008 Jun 17

PMID 18552863

Citations 199

Authors

Roberto Cattaneo

Tanner Miest

Elena V Shashkova

Michael A Barry

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Virotherapy is currently undergoing a renaissance, based on our improved understanding of virus biology and genetics and our better knowledge of many different types of cancer. Viruses can be reprogrammed into oncolytic vectors by combining three types of modification: targeting, arming and shielding. Targeting introduces multiple layers of cancer specificity and improves safety and efficacy; arming occurs through the expression of prodrug convertases and cytokines; and coating with polymers and the sequential usage of different envelopes or capsids provides shielding from the host immune response. Virus-based therapeutics are beginning to find their place in cancer clinical practice, in combination with chemotherapy and radiation.

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