Oncolytic virus therapy against pancreatic cancer

Abstract

Despite advances in surgical procedures and the development of new therapeutics, pancreatic cancer remains one of the most difficult diseases to cure. There are very few effective chemotherapy drugs without adverse effects. Therefore, many patients and clinicians want new effective anti-cancer drugs that have no adverse effects. Oncolytic viruses can replicate inside tumors and produce viral proteins within and on the surface of tumor cells. Viral infection stimulates the host immune response, including anti-cancer immunity, which can inhibit local tumor growth and suppress metastatic tumors. Clinical trials have examined the efficacy and safety of oncolytic viruses in over 1,000 cases worldwide. We here review the feasibility of oncolytic virus therapy, including basic research and clinical trials, employed in our facility for pancreatic cancer.