Evolving Status of Clinical Immunotherapy with Oncolytic Adenovirus

Cancer immunotherapy targeting immune checkpoint inhibitors shows efficacy in several human cancers, but cold tumors that lack immune cells are typically unresponsive. Among the potential therapeutic approaches that could heat or promote lymphocyte infiltration of cold tumors, oncolytic viruses have attracted interest for their lytic and immunogenic mechanisms of action. In this article, we review the use of oncolytic adenoviruses in cancer immunotherapy, with a particular focus on preclinical and clinical data of oncolytic adenovirus-triggered immune responses against tumor antigens. We also discuss parameters to consider in clinical trial design and the combination of oncolytic adenoviruses with conventional treatments or other immunotherapies.

Automated summary

Cancer immunotherapy utilizing immune checkpoint inhibitors has shown effectiveness in various human cancers, but cold tumors often lack immune cells and are typically unresponsive. Oncolytic viruses, with their lytic and immunogenic mechanisms, have attracted interest as potential therapeutic approaches to heat or promote lymphocyte infiltration of cold tumors. This article reviews the use of oncolytic adenoviruses in cancer immunotherapy, focusing on immune responses triggered by these viruses against tumor antigens in preclinical and clinical settings, as well as considerations for clinical trial design and combination therapies with conventional treatments or other immunotherapies.