Optimizing Oncolytic Virotherapy for Malignant Glioma: From Bench to Bedside

Several human studies show positive signals, while research methods and sample sizes continue to develop.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Malignant glioma is a highly aggressive brain tumor characterized by frequent recurrence, poor prognosis, and limited responsiveness to standard therapies. Glioblastoma multiforme, the most common and aggressive subtype, further complicates treatment due to its infiltrative nature, genetic heterogeneity, the protective blood-brain barrier, and an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Despite aggressive treatment strategies such as surgical resection combined with chemoradiotherapy, the median survival for malignant glioma patients remains low, highlighting the urgent need for more effective therapeutic approaches. Oncolytic virotherapy (OVT), a dual-modality approach that combines immunotherapy and biotherapy, has emerged as a promising alternative. Oncolytic viruses (OVs) can replicate continuously, disseminate within the tumor, and stimulate anti-tumor immunity, offering distinct advantages in targeting invasive and immunologically "cold" malignant glioma. However, the efficacy of OVT in clinical trials remains unsatisfactory, particularly in single-agent regimens. This limitation is primarily attributed to the viruses' limited replication efficiency, suboptimal immune induction, premature clearance by antiviral immune responses, and the blood-brain barrier, which impedes effective intracranial delivery. Thus, further optimization of viral modifications, delivery systems, and t

Evidence level

Several human studies show positive signals, while research methods and sample sizes continue to develop.

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