Oncolytic HSVs

Dear Colleagues,

Several series of events led to the evolution of herpes simplex virus (HSV) from a human pathogen to a promising onco-immunotherapeutic agent. These were the development of techniques for insertion or deletion of genes from HSV DNA, the discovery of the γ₁34.5 gene, the finding that γ₁34.5 deletion mutants replicated readily in cultured cells but were virtually apathogenic in experimental animals, and the discovery that such mutants replicated in and destroyed tumors. The discovery that mutants lacking other HSV genes also expressed oncolytic functions soon followed. Equally important, HSV DNA tolerates the expression of non viral genes inserted into the HSV genome.

Research on oHSV literally exploded after the licensing of oHSV OncoVex_GM-CSF by FDA and EMA for the treatment of melanoma. The key discoveries in various stages of development are that insertion into the HSV genome of intact or modified cellular gene may alter susceptibility to infection, enhance affinity of oHSV for specific tumors, and increase the host immune response to tumor.

The oHSV research and development is expanding very rapidly in many different directions but its goals remain unchanged: to develop oHSV as a premier therapeutic for human cancer. This goal would benefit from a review of its accomplishments and directions of its research. In this Special Issue, emphasis will be placed on the diversity of approaches to a common goal: develop HSV as a premier vector of anti-cancer and immunotherapeutic molecules to the site where it is needed most. You are cordially invited to contribute unique research or review articles on this topic.

Prof. Dr. Gabriella Campadelli-Fiume
Dr. Andrea Vannini
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the Special Issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Viruses is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.