Review: CRISPR-Augmented Oncolytic Virotherapy as an Effective Treatment of Metastatic Cancer

Oncolytic viruses (OVs) preferentially infect and induce lysis in cancer cells. They have been well tested as a monotherapy and in combination with other immunotherapies to treat isolated tumors. In comparison to other immunotherapies and current cancer treatments, oncolytic virotherapy offers an excellent safety profile, dual-action treatment, and potential for more targeted treatment with genetic modification. However, T-VEC, the only FDA-approved oncolytic virus drug, is limited in its application to other types of cancer by adverse effects and contraindications. In addition, the application of oncolytic virotherapy to treat metastatic cancer is under-discussed, despite its potential to improve the current poor prognosis. In this literature review, we will examine the role of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing in creating more targeted, efficient oncolytic viruses and their clinical application to metastatic cancer.