Review article

Oncolytic virotherapy: Harnessing viruses for cancer treatment

Beata Halassy ; Centre for Research and Knowledge Transfer in Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia *

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

Oncolytic virotherapy (OVT) is an innovative form of immunotherapy that employs replicationcompetent viruses for the selective destruction of tumor cells and the induction of antitumor immune responses. Historically, viral infections were observed to induce tumor regression, and modern advances in molecular virology and genetic engineering have enabled the development of safer and more effective oncolytic viruses. To date, only four preparations (Rigvir, Oncorine, T-VEC, and Delytact) have been approved for clinical use, while many others show promising results in trials. The translation of OVT into routine practice faces several challenges, including demanding production processes, the lack of predictive preclinical models, and limited efficacy in terminal-stage patients. A recent case of successful experimental self-treatment of recurrent breast cancer in Croatia, using intratumoral application of measles virus and vesicular stomatitis virus, highlights the potential of lower-dose and more simply prepared formulations. This case opens new hypotheses for therapy optimization and emphasizes the importance of the Croatian Edmonston Zagreb measles virus strain as a promising platform for the development of domestic oncolytic therapies. In conclusion, OVT remains experimental but highly promising, and with adapted regulatory frameworks and increased investment in research, it may become an important contribution to cancer treatment.

Keywords

cancer immunotherapy; oncolytic virotherapy; breast cancer; self-experimentation; self-treatment; measles virus; vesicular stomatitis virus

Hrčak ID:

337310

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/337310

Publication date:

30.10.2025.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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