SITC 2021 | Oncolytic viruses as a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer

Howard Kaufman, MD, FACS, Ankyra Therapeutics and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, comments on the uses and benefits of oncolytic virus therapy. Oncolytic viruses induce a powerful immune response against viral components and tumor antigens, and are a promising strategy for targeting T-cell-poor tumors that are not amenable for immunotherapy. Indeed, oncolytic virotherapy could be used prior to other immunotherapies to increase the number of T-cells in the tumor microenvironment. Nevertheless, there are still remaining challenges that need to be addressed before implementing this strategy in the clinic. This interview took place during the 36th Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.