[Oncolytic viruses for genetic therapy of gastrointestinal tumors]

Abstract

Gastroenterological oncology requires new strategies with new mechanisms of action and without cross-resistance to currently available treatment regimes. Virotherapy which is based on the employment of replication-competent viral vectors exhibiting strong oncolytic properties is such an approach currently under preclinical/clinical investigation. Techniques of molecular virology are required for further improvement of current vectors, particularly with respect to oncolytic activity, tumour selectivity, tumour spread capacity, and safety.