Cancer cell membranes and associated viral entry receptors

Cancer cell membranes and associated viral entry receptors encompass the diverse array of proteins and glycoproteins on the surface of tumor cells that viruses utilize to gain entry. These receptors, including the Poliovirus Receptor (CD155), Coxsackievirus and Adenovirus Receptor (CAR), and CD46, are often significantly upregulated in malignant tissues compared to normal cells (PMID: 30030280). This differential expression forms the basis for oncolytic virotherapy, where viruses are engineered to selectively target and infect cancer cells via these specific entry mediators (PMID: 32632014). Once the virus enters the cell, it replicates and induces oncolysis, releasing tumor-associated antigens that can trigger a systemic immune response against the cancer (NIH, 2023). However, the therapeutic utility of these receptors is often limited by the heterogeneity of their expression within tumors and the presence of pre-existing neutralizing antibodies in patients (PMID: 28234344).

Other names

Oncolytic virus receptorsTumor-associated viral entry mediatorsViral entry receptors (VERs)

Oncolytic viruses selectively bind to overexpressed receptors on cancer cell membranes, facilitating viral entry and subsequent intracellular replication, which leads to direct cell lysis and the release of progeny virions and tumor antigens to stimulate an anti-tumor immune response.