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CCII Seminar “’Cancer-killing’ Oncolytic Viruses as Cancer Immunotherapy Agents”

Date, Time & Venue

Speaker

Dr. Shashi Gujar

Cancer Immunotherapy, Innovation & Global Partnerships
Faculty of Medicine, Dalhouse University

Abstract

Similar to what you would read in manga novels or watch in sci-fi movies, viruses can now be used to target and kill human cancers. 

Such ‘Cancer-killing’ viruses are known as oncolytic (onco= cancer; lytic = killing) viruses (OVs). These OVs target cancers mainly through two distinct mechanisms: 

1) directly by killing cancer cells via a mechanism known as ‘oncolysis’, and 2) indirectly by educating patient’s immune system to attack cancer via anti-tumor immunity. Interestingly, OVs can also be used as priming agents to broaden and enhance the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors, including anti-PD-1 antibodies. Currently, OVs are approved to be used in cancer patients in the USA, Europe, China, and Japan.

Dr. Gujar’s work thus far has revealed that OVs overturn cancer-associated immune evasion mechanisms and promote protective antitumor CD8 T cell responses. Hence, his research focuses on harnessing the immunological benefits of OVs. 

In his talk, Dr. Gujar will explain the foundations of the OV technology, discuss unique immunological paradigms within OV-induced immunity, and highlight his on-going research with a prospective collaborative outlook. 

More Information

For a quick reference on OV technology, check out: Gujar et al., Cell, 2019. SnapShot: Cancer Immunotherapy with Oncolytic Viruses. DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2019.01.051

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