Perspectives for Combining Viral Oncolysis With Additional Immunotherapies for the Treatment of Melanoma

Author(s)

Cerqueira, Otto Luiz Dutra ; Antunes, Fernanda ; Assis, Nadine G. ; Cardoso, Elaine C. ; Clavijo-Salomon, Maria A. ; Domingues, Ana C. ; Tessarollo, Nayara G. ; Strauss, Bryan E.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES; v. 9, p. 23-pg., 2022-04-14.

Abstract

Melanoma is the deadliest type of skin cancer with steadily increasing incidence worldwide during the last few decades. In addition to its tumor associated antigens (TAAs), melanoma has a high mutation rate compared to other tumors, which promotes the appearance of tumor specific antigens (TSAs) as well as increased lymphocytic infiltration, inviting the use of therapeutic tools that evoke new or restore pre-existing immune responses. Innovative therapeutic proposals, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), have emerged as effective options for melanoma. However, a significant portion of these patients relapse and become refractory to treatment. Likewise, strategies using viral vectors, replicative or not, have garnered confidence and approval by different regulatory agencies around the world. It is possible that further success of immune therapies against melanoma will come from synergistic combinations of different approaches. In this review we outline molecular features inherent to melanoma and how this supports the use of viral oncolysis and immunotherapies when used as monotherapies or in combination. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/26580-9 - Cancer gene therapy: strategic positioning for translational studies
• Grantee: Bryan Eric Strauss
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/25284-2 - Construction and characterization of adenoviral vectors encoding the canine cDNAs for p14Arf and IFN-beta
• Grantee: Otavio Augusto Rodrigues
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 19/03055-7 - Induction of immunogenic cell death by associating gene transfer and chemotherapy in human prostate carcinoma cells
• Grantee: Nadine Gimenez de Assis
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 18/04800-5 - The role of p73 isoforms in the response of B16F10 cells to transduction with adenoviral vectors carrying p19Arf and IFNbeta cDNAs.
• Grantee: Fernanda Antunes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral