Importance of the field: Viral oncolysis, or virotherapy, is an emerging strategy for the treatment of cancer based on tumor cell killing by virus infection and replication. Oncolytic adenoviruses have shown promise in clinical trials, which demonstrated proof-of-concept for tumor-selective virus replication and a favorable safety profile.
Areas covered in this review: We provide an overview of specifications for a novel antitumour approach by oncolytic adenoviruses expressing interleukin and discuss recent progresses in this field.
What the reader will gain: Creating an armed therapeutic viral platform, where the lytic property of viral infection coupled to virus-mediated interleukin delivery, may enhance the potential of virus-based therapeutics.
Take home message: Oncolytic adenoviruses expressing interleukin may be a novel approach for tumour treatment. Combining advances in oncolytic adenoviruses with interleukin will open new avenues for treatment of human tumour.