Bladder cancer is one of the most common types of cancer that affects more than 80,000 people every year in the United States alone.

Though existing treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy can help manage bladder cancer, they also come with a host of side-effects and only delay the disease’s progression. With traditional treatments becoming inadequate, scientists are seeking innovative ways to treat this deadly disease. One such groundbreaking method is using viruses to destroy cancer cells, known as oncolytic virotherapy.

The Promise of Oncolytic Virotherapy

Oncolytic virotherapy is a new exciting field in cancer therapy that utilizes engineered viruses to selectively target and infect cancer cells, leaving healthy cells intact.

This promising treatment targets cancer cells more specifically, so it serves as a powerful anti-cancer tool with fewer side effects. Scientists have found that oncolytic viruses are safe and do not damage healthy organ tissues, which means that the virus selectively attacks damaged and abnormal cells.

This makes it a much safer and more refined way to kill cancer than traditional treatments.

The Role of Oncolytic Viruses in Bladder Cancer Treatment

Oncolytic viruses are proving to be a powerful tool against bladder cancer. In studies, they have shown remarkable efficacy against bladder cancer cells in culture and in animal models.

They’ve also demonstrated positive results in combination with other therapeutic techniques such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy.

Cisplatin is one of the most common chemotherapy agents used in bladder cancer treatment. The oncolytic virus, HSV1716, has shown promise when combined with this agent.

The combination has been found to be highly effective at killing bladder cancer cells in vitro. Another virus, adenovirus, used in combination with BCG therapy, has shown to be highly effective against bladder tumors in vitro.

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The combination of gemcitabine and oncolytic adenovirus has also demonstrated significant anti-tumor activity against bladder cancer cells, suggesting that oncolytic viruses hold promise in treating bladder cancer.

The Engagement of the Immune System via Oncolytic Viruses

Oncolytic viruses not only have direct cytotoxic effects on cancer cells, but they can also activate the immune system to target the cancer. The oncolytic virus encourages the immune system to recognize cancer cells more effectively and attack them.

The virus enables the recruitment of immune cells known as T-cells to the tumor site. This allows the immune system to zero in on the cancer cells and wipe them out.

Oncolytic Virus for the Treatment of Superficial Bladder Cancer

Currently, surgical removal is the most common form of treatment for superficial bladder cancer. However, oncolytic viruses can also be used to treat this form of cancer.

An oncolytic virus known as coxsackievirus has been shown in mouse models to selectively destroy bladder cancer cells while largely leaving healthy cells intact. Coxsackievirus has potential to be used to treat the early stages of bladder cancer and reduce the need for surgery.

The Future of Oncolytic Virotherapy in Bladder Cancer Treatment

The field of oncolytic virotherapy is in its infancy, but the prospects are promising. Many studies and clinical trials are underway to help researchers better understand the behavior of the viruses and their efficacy against bladder cancer.

One trial of isolate CG0070 is currently in phase III, which involves the treatment of cancer patients with the oncolytic virus after surgery. This trial is expected to yield significant findings that can inform the use of oncolytic viruses in treating bladder cancer.

Conclusion

Oncolytic virotherapy is a new and exciting field in cancer treatment that shows promise in treating bladder cancer. With oncolytic viruses, patients have less of a chance of harmful side effects than they would with traditional treatments.

Though it is still in its infancy, the outlook for oncolytic viruses to fight bladder cancer looks promising.