Advances in oncolytic viruses for the treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma: mechanisms, therapeutic potential, and challenges

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology

Abstract

Genetically engineered viruses are used in oncolytic virotherapy, a new approach to cancer treatment, to infect and eliminate cancer cells while preserving healthy tissue specifically. This method has demonstrated potential in treating oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), a cancer that exhibits aggressive activity and resistance to standard treatments. Recent research has shown that oncolytic viruses, like herpes simplex virus and adenoviruses, can efficiently target OSCC cells, causing tumor cell lysis and subsequent immune activation. Early findings from clinical trials assessing the safety and effectiveness of these treatments in OSCC patients revealed better survival rates and controllable adverse effects. Additionally, combining oncolytic virotherapy with immunotherapy and chemotherapy is being investigated to improve therapeutic results. Overall, oncolytic virotherapy is a potential new OSCC treatment that promises better patient outcomes and a new direction for further study and clinical use in head and neck cancers. Using genetically manipulated viruses, oncolytic virotherapy is a new approach to cancer treatment that targets and kills cancer cells while leaving healthy tissue unaffected.

DOI

10.1016/j.jddst.2025.107449

Publication Date

12-1-2025

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