Title:Fighting Fire with Fire: A Patent for the Combined Application of Oncolytic Herpes Viruses and Antiangiogenic Agents in the Battle Against Human Cancers
Volume: 10
Issue: 2
Author(s): Matthias Karrasch and Christoph Rehfuess
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Antiangiogenesis, cancer, combination therapy, oncolytic virus, patent, viral replication
Abstract: Specific elimination of tumor cells by replication-competent viral vectors is
mediated through active viral replication, spread in tumor tissue and direct cytopathic
effects. In addition, immune responses are induced against virally infected tumor cells.
Recently, oncolytic vectors were constructed with mutations in neurovirulence genes
or DNA synthesis genes. Viral replication should only be restricted to malignant cells to prevent severe viral disease.
These constructed vectors terminate cells by mechanisms different from standard anti-cancer therapies; they offer another
treatment modality which can be used in combination with chemotherapy, radiotherapy and gene therapies with additive
or synergistic effects. Combination therapies are usually necessary to control tumorigenic diseases. Inhibiting angiogenesis
represents another new field in current anticancer treatment development. Combining an oncolytic virus with antiangiogenesis
is able to potentiate both treatment effects compared to each treatment modality alone in both primary and advanced
disease. This combination might be beneficial for cancer patients in the future. We have also outlined some relevant
patents.
