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Oncolytic Viruses

Oncolytic viruses are designed to infect and destroy tumour cells while stimulating an immune response against the cancer. Early clinical studies in glioblastoma have shown encouraging responses in selected patients, but these treatments remain experimental.

Highlighted Papers

Desjardins et al., 2018 — Recurrent Glioblastoma Treated with Recombinant Poliovirus

Landmark clinical study of intratumoral recombinant poliovirus in recurrent glioblastoma. Although responses varied, a subgroup of patients experienced prolonged survival.

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Nassiri et al., 2023 — Oncolytic DNX-2401 Virotherapy Plus Pembrolizumab in Recurrent Glioblastoma: A Phase 1/2 Trial

Investigates the combination of an oncolytic adenovirus with checkpoint inhibition. The trial demonstrated manageable safety and encouraging durable responses in some patients.

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Further Literature

  • Desjardins, A., Gromeier, M., Herndon, J. E. 2nd, et al. (2018): Recurrent Glioblastoma Treated with Recombinant Poliovirus. N Engl J Med. 2018;379(2):150-161. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1716435

  • Hotchkiss, K. M., Brown, M. C., Owens, E. (2025): KS01.6.A intratumoral IL-12/ANTI-PD-1 oncolytic HSV1 (MVR-C5252) is safe and immunoactive in recurrent high-grade glioma: preliminary phase 1 results from a multicenter multistage clinical trial, Neuro-Oncology, Volume 27, Issue Supplement_3, October 2025, Page iii7, https://doi.org/10.1093/neuonc/noaf193.020

  • Jackson, C., Ruzevick, J., Brem, H., & Lim, M. (2013): Vaccine Strategies for Glioblastoma: Progress and Future Directions. Immunotherapy 2013, 5(2), 155–167. https://doi.org/1-0.2217/imt.12.155

  • Meylan, M., Tian, Y., Wu. L et al. (2025):  Persistent T cell activation and cytotoxicity against glioblastoma following single oncolytic virus treatment in a clinical trial. Cell. 2026 Mar 5;189(5):1287-1304.e18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2025.12.055

  • Nassiri, F., Patil, V., Yefet, L.S. et al. (2023): Oncolytic DNX-2401 virotherapy plus pembrolizumab in recurrent glioblastoma: a phase 1/2 trial. Nat Med 29, 1370–1378 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-023-02347-y

  • Smith, C., Lineburg, K. E., Martins, J. P et al. (2020): Autologous CMV-specific T cells are a safe adjuvant immunotherapy for primary glioblastoma multiforme. J Clin Invest. 2020 Nov 2;130(11):6041-6053. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI138649

  • Todo, T., Ito, H., Ino, Y. et al. (2022): Intratumoral oncolytic herpes virus G47∆ for residual or recurrent glioblastoma: a phase 2 trial. Nat Med 28, 1630–1639 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-022-01897-x

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