The use of oncolytic viruses to overcome lung cancer drug resistance

Abstract

Intrinsic and acquired drug resistance remains a fundamental obstacle to successful applications of anticancer therapies for lung cancer. Combining conventional therapies with immunotherapeutic approaches is a promising strategy to circumvent lung cancer drug resistance. Genetically modified oncolytic viruses (OVs) kill tumor cells via completely unique mechanisms compared to small molecule chemotherapeutics typically used in lung cancer treatment and can also be used to deliver specific toxic, therapeutic or immunomodulatory genes to tumor cells. Recent pre-clinical and clinical studies with oncolytic vaccine approaches have revealed promising combination strategies that enhance oncolysis of tumor cells and circumvent tumor resistance mechanisms. As clinical trials with oncolytic vaccines progress, and as the knowledge acquired from these studies builds a foundation demonstrating OVs safety and efficacy, novel combination approaches could soon have a major impact on the clinical management of patients diagnosed with lung cancer.