Oncolytic viruses as a viable treatment for breast cancer
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Citation
Abstract
This article is a systemic review of the breast cancer subtypes, the disparities in breast cancer treatment, and the various oncolytic viruses currently in development for breast cancer treatment. In the event that breast cancer is not diagnosed and treated early, certain types of breast cancer can rapidly spread to other parts of the body causing life-threatening health problems. In light of the decrease in breast cancer screenings following the initial wave of COVID-19, effective systemic treatments for later diagnosed breast cancers are critical now more than ever. Currently, systemic treatments are often associated with severe adverse side effects, resistance, variable specificity, and possible recurrences. Certain subtypes of breast cancer, including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), are more aggressive, do not respond to some treatment methods, and disproportionately affect black women. Oncolytic virotherapy aims to produce a systemic treatment that is specific to cancer cells, elicits an immune response, and only causes minor side effects. Further studies are necessary to increase the possibility of developing a virotherapy that can safely and effectively treat systemic breast cancers.