Advances in cell carriers for oncolytic viruses in cancer therapy

Objective: Oncolytic viruses delivered through intravenous injection trend to be eliminated by immune system and fail to exert anti-tumor activity. Several studies have shown that oncolytic viruses can be loaded into cells without losing the biological activity of either virus or cell carrier. Such packaging can significantly protect the viruses from immune-mediated eradication of virus. Moreover, using cell carriers targeting tumor cells, biological properties associated with tumor or the anatomical location of the tumor could precisely deliver the virus to the tumor site and exert the anti-tumor efficacy of oncolytic virus. This review discusses the mechanisms of cell carriers loading oncolytic virus in the treatment of cancer. DOI:10.3781/j.issn.1000-7431.2011.01.018