How do oncolytic viruses function in cancer treatment?

Oncolytic viruses are specifically designed to target and infect cancer cells while sparing normal healthy cells. They replicate within these cancer cells, causing cell lysis or the destruction of the cancer cells. This direct method of killing cancer cells is a key feature of oncolytic virus therapy.

By utilizing the inherent ability of viruses to enter cells and replicate, oncolytic viruses can selectively destroy tumors. This not only reduces the tumor burden but also potentially stimulates an immune response as the dead cancer cells can present tumor antigens to the immune system, enhancing the body's own ability to fight the cancer.

This mechanism distinguishes oncolytic viruses from other cancer treatments like chemotherapy, which works differently, primarily through cytotoxic effects on rapidly dividing cells, and immune therapies, which typically focus on activating the immune system rather than directly destroying cancer cells.