Predicting and personalising the effectiveness of oncolytic viruses
This project aims to develop personalised virotherapy for different cancers. Oncolytic viruses are modified to kill cancer cells while sparing healthy cells. Viral infection also releases tumour material, which can activate the patient’s immune system against cancer cells that remain.
Clinical response rates still vary considerably. Researchers are comparing four oncolytic viruses to determine which one kills a particular tumour most efficiently and how the type and degree of cell death affect immune activation. Work initially uses Erasmus MC’s extensive brain-tumour biobank, combining patient-derived tumour cultures or spheroids with the same patient’s immune cells.
The ultimate aim is a predictive profile or rapid test that identifies the most suitable virus soon after a biopsy or operation. Once the relevant factors are understood, they can also be validated in pancreatic cancer.