Oncolytic Virotherapy Against Breast Cancer

Breast cancer ranks as the second most frequently detected form of cancer on a global scale. A diverse array of conventional therapeutic regimens are available for the management of breast cancer including surgical intervention, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone manipulation, and immunomodulation but over 30% of patients may progress to metastasis even after such treatments. Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are increasingly recognized as significant entities in the field of cancer therapeutics. Oncolytic viruses possess the appealing therapeutic amalgamation of selectively lysing tumor cells while concurrently stimulating the immune system, thus exhibiting potential as in-situ tumor vaccines. Additionally, it is possible to manipulate OVs in order to maximize their ability to selectively target tumors and stimulate the immune system. These engineered OVs can be easily integrated with other therapeutic agents for synergistic effects. The efficacy of oncolytic viruses has been substantiated through numerous preclinical investigations and more recently in human trials. Notably, the US Food and Drug Administration has granted approval for the utilization of talimogene laherparepvec, an oncolytic herpesvirus used to treat advanced melanoma. The chapter provides a comprehensive examination of oncolytic viruses as a potential treatment for breast cancer. It focuses on the mechanism of OVs in imparting immunity against breast cancer and ongoing clinical studies that are being conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of these viruses in a clinical setting.