Tumour virus infections articles from across Nature Portfolio

Systemic delivery of oncolytic viruses has long been limited by rapid immune clearance, short circulation times and restricted spread within tumors. To overcome these challenges, we engineered an immune-cloaked, ultrasound-inducible oncolytic virus platform. By evading immune clearance and triggering pyroptosis to amplify viral replication within tumors, this approach enhances immune activation and drives potent tumor regression in preclinical models.

Chen et al. report the design and characterization of a systemically injectable oncolytic virus with tumor-targeting and low-immunogenic properties, engineered to induce tumor cell pyroptosis under local mild hyperthermia.

The mechanisms underlying the improved survival in HPV-positive penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) compared to HPV-negative counterparts remain to be explored. Here, single-cell sequencing highlights the role of the B cell-IgA-PIGR axis in enhancing antitumor immunity and improving clinical outcomes in HPV-positive PSCC.

Here they show that the E3 ubiquitin ligase CTLH supports mTORC1. Upon CTLH inactivation, ZMYND19 and MKLN19 accumulate, associate, and block mTORC1/RHEB association. CTLH and PI3K inhibition are synthetic lethal for EBV-associated gastric cancer.

Oncogenic viruses cause 15% of all human cancers. Cats, which are naturally susceptible to cancers caused by feline homologues of human tumour viruses, represent an opportunity to develop treatment and prevention strategies for viral cancers using comparative oncology. Increased investment in this approach could benefit both pets and people.

Systemic delivery of oncolytic viruses has long been limited by rapid immune clearance, short circulation times and restricted spread within tumors. To overcome these challenges, we engineered an immune-cloaked, ultrasound-inducible oncolytic virus platform. By evading immune clearance and triggering pyroptosis to amplify viral replication within tumors, this approach enhances immune activation and drives potent tumor regression in preclinical models.

Epstein–Barr virus is associated with cancer and implicated in autoimmune diseases. Three studies reveal desmocollin 2 and R9AP as receptors for Epstein–Barr virus infection, highlighting new avenues for targeted therapies.

Chia, Johnson et al. outline a mechanism for how pulmonary viral infections can awaken dormant disseminated cancer cells to enhance metastatic burden.