Conditional replication

Oncorus Inc. has devised a method to restrict replication of oncolytic viruses to tumor cells without deleting viral genes. The approach could create viruses that are more potent and selective than attenuated viruses in the clinic or on the market, which are modified to increase safety at the expense of efficacy.

Oncolytic viruses preferentially infect tumor cells, and kill them by replicating within them, leading to lysis. Antigens released by lysed tumor cells then stimulate an immune response against cancer...