Oncolytic Virotherapy (OV) type of oncology treatment is quickly moving toward the forefront of modern medicines.

The reward for the decades of research invested into developing oncolytic viruses that selectively replicate in and lyse tumor cells while sparking anticancer adaptive immunity is presenting in the form of durable therapeutic responses.

How Oncolytic Viruses Destroy Cancer Cells – What is an Oncolytic Virus?

Oncolytic viral therapy is a relatively modern approach to treating certain types of cancers. An Oncolytic virus is a ‘biological weapon’ that acts against cancer cells. It has the ability to infect the cancerous tumor and lyse (kill) the cancer cells while preserving normal cells. Oncolytic virus therapies are proving to be a viable modality for use in cancer treatments both alone and used in combination with other treatment options. The medical community is overly excited about oncolytic viral therapy as it is showing efficacy in many hard-to-treat cancerous tumors such as melanoma.

The Principle Mechanism of Oncolytic Viruses

The principal action of Oncolytic viruses is based upon the characteristics of the select virus being used for treatment. Rather exciting at the forefront of effective cancer treatments, oncolytic viruses are being harnessed for their natural ability to attack cancer cells. Additionally, there are cancers that are known to be especially vulnerable to specific viruses that allow for direct targeting of the tumor. They work in two distinct, but highly effective ways.

The first mechanism of efficacy is that the select virus preferentially replicates itself inside the cancer cell resulting in the destruction of the cancerous cell but does not harm healthy cells. It does this naturally. The select modified virus is attracted to especially hard tumors under the skin and it gets inside the tumor and spreads. This action halts the spread of cancer and also kills the affected cells.

The second mechanism is that the virus assists the immune function of the body itself by activating antibodies within the body and results in the lysing of cancer cells. It accomplishes this by triggering the production of T-cells, which are a type of white blood cell that plays a central role in the body’s immune function.

What Cancers Are Being Treated with Oncolytic Viruses?

Many cancers are being treated by the use of oncolytic therapy. Revolutionary progress is being gained every day by clinical studies of viruses with regard to otherwise irresponsive cancer tumors. There are several viruses used in oncolytic viral therapy – narrowly designed to target many types of solid cancerous tumors.

Oncolytic viral therapy appeals to cancer patients because they don’t experience hair loss and related maladies. Oncolytic viruses are well tolerated and the side effects are minimal and tend to disappear within a few days.

Why do patients choose Oncolytic Virotherapy?

Virotherapy destroys tumor cells selectively without affecting the healthy cells of the body, this therapy has no side effects

Oncolytic Virotherapy stimulates the body’s natural defense mechanisms by activating the immune system, which is often suppressed by other treatment methods, it is a safe therapy, with promising results in various types of cancer

Oncolytic Virotherapy can be used against tumors that don’t respond well to radiation or chemotherapy, such as melanoma.

Virotherapy can be used at various stages throughout the treatment process: before or after surgery and between radiation or chemotherapy treatments and in combination with other integrative cancer treatment methods.

How Oncolytic Viruses Differ from Other Therapies?

Unlike traditional therapies, oncolytic viruses are designed to specifically target cancer cells while leaving healthy cells intact. As an appealing benefit to patients, oncolytic viral therapy works without the harsh side effects as conventional therapies such as chemotherapy. Most of the post-therapy symptoms are reported to dissipate within a few days. Also, oncolytic viruses show the ability to kill cancer cells that have become resistant to other treatment methods. Many oncolytic viruses are systemically administered and have a greater safety quotient than other related therapies.

Common Side Effects of Oncolytic Viral Therapy.

Oncolytic viral therapies are well-tolerated, making them a viable treatment option against a variety of cancer types. Some of the more common side-effects reported are “flu-like” symptoms. They include symptoms such as chills, fever, nausea, loss of appetite, and muscle ache. Some reported pain at the injection sites, but mostly a low incidence of serious adverse reactions while being treated is reported.