Cancer virotherapy: Targeting cancer cells by microRNA mechanism for selective replication of oncolytic viruses in these cells

Abstract

Cancer, as one of the most serious public health problems, is the second-leading cause of death in the world after cardiovascular disease. The number of patients and the resulting mortality are increasing worldwide; therefore, early diagnosis, prevention, and effective treatment of cancer are very important. Current treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy are often non-selective and have side effects. The use of oncolytic viruses (viral therapy) is a new approach to treating cancer. One problem with viral therapy is the lack of selective replication for the virus in cancer cells, meaning that the virus replicates in normal cells. In recent years, various methods have been used to inhibit virus replication in healthy cells and to make selective replication in tumors. Correspondingly, MiRNA targeting is the newest method. The present review article describes the different aspects of making selectivity for replication of oncolytic viruses by the miRNA targeting mechanism. © 2022, Semnan University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.