Tumor cell lysis via selective replication

The phrase "tumor cell lysis via selective replication" refers to a mechanism, primarily exploited by oncolytic viruses, in which viruses are engineered or naturally able to selectively infect and replicate within tumor cells, resulting in cell death (lysis) and subsequent release of new viral particles. This process can be highly specific to cancer cells due to defects in antiviral defense mechanisms, mutations in key regulatory pathways (e.g., p53, pRb), or constitutive activation of mitogenic/anti-apoptotic signaling in tumors. The viral replication not only kills the infected cancer cells directly but also triggers immune responses by releasing tumor antigens and "danger signals" that can facilitate further anti-tumor immunity. This process is not itself a discrete, druggable protein or molecular target, but rather a therapeutic strategy and mechanism of action employed by a class of agents (oncolytic viruses) in cancer therapy.

Other names

Tumor-selective viral replicationOncolytic viral lysis

Selective replication in malignant (tumor) cells leading to cell lysis. Induction of anti-tumor immune responses via release of tumor-associated antigens and damage-associated molecular patterns.