Host immune system (via oncolysis-induced immune stimulation)

Host immune system stimulation via oncolysis refers to a therapeutic strategy where oncolytic viruses are used to infect and destroy cancer cells, subsequently triggering a systemic immune response. Unlike traditional therapies that target a single molecule, this approach utilizes the virus to cause direct tumor cell death, which releases a cocktail of antigens and inflammatory signals. These signals overcome the immunosuppressive nature of the tumor microenvironment, recruiting and activating various immune cells like dendritic cells and T-cells (PubMed: 28138540). This in situ vaccination effect allows the immune system to recognize and eliminate not only the primary tumor but also distant metastases. Drugs employing this mechanism, such as Talimogene laherparepvec, are primarily used in oncology to treat advanced malignancies like melanoma (NIH: NCT00769704). The complexity of the host immune response makes this a multi-faceted therapeutic approach involving various signaling pathways and cell types rather than a single molecular target.

Other names

Oncolytic virotherapy-mediated immune activationIn situ tumor vaccinationVirus-induced anti-tumor immunityOncolysis-induced immune stimulation

Oncolytic viruses selectively infect and replicate within neoplastic cells, leading to direct cellular lysis (oncolysis). This process releases tumor-associated antigens (TAAs), damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), and pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) into the tumor microenvironment. These factors recruit and activate antigen-presenting cells, such as dendritic cells, which subsequently prime cytotoxic T-lymphocytes to recognize and attack both local and distant metastatic tumor cells, effectively turning the tumor into an in situ vaccine.