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GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
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PUBLIC SUMMARY
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Oncolytic virus therapy (OVT) displays considerable promise for treating solid cancers.
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) enhance cancer therapy through diverse combination strategies.
Provides insights into the rational design of next-generation OVs.
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ABSTRACT
Despite advancements in oncology, a significant unmet need remains for therapies that effectively target and eradicate solid tumors while overcoming resistance mechanisms and minimizing damage to healthy tissues. Oncolytic virotherapy (OVT) has emerged as a promising approach to treating solid tumors by directly lysing cancer cells and simultaneously stimulating immune responses. A diverse range of viruses have been engineered to enhance their tumor-targeting capabilities. Preclinical studies show that these oncolytic viruses can induce immunogenic cell death, remodel the tumor microenvironment, and synergize with various established therapies. Their efficacy involves diverse mechanisms, including interferon signaling, metabolic reprogramming, and epigenetic regulation. While early clinical trials demonstrate promising safety and efficacy across multiple cancers, challenges such as systemic delivery and tumor heterogeneity persist. Ongoing optimization of viral engineering and combination strategies is crucial for unlocking the full clinical potential of this approach against solid tumors. This review summarizes the current landscape of OVT, highlighting its mechanistic basis, clinical progress, and the strategic innovations needed to overcome existing barriers and fully realize its potential in oncology. -
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REFERENCES
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Wu C., Xin T., Cheng X., et al. (2026). Viral immunotherapy: Oncolytic approaches for solid tumors. The Innovation Medicine 4:100216. https://doi.org/10.59717/j.xinn-med.2026.100216
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Wu C., Xin T., Cheng X., et al. (2026). Viral immunotherapy: Oncolytic approaches for solid tumors. The Innovation Medicine 4:100216. https://doi.org/10.59717/j.xinn-med.2026.100216
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Figure 1.
A timeline of key milestones in the development of oncolytic viruses as a cancer therapy.
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Figure 2.
Oncolytic viruses reshape the tumor microenvironment.
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Figure 3.
The remodeling strategies of oncolytic virus-induced immune activation and its synergistic effect with immunotherapy.
