Medicina Nuclear e Radioterapia

The Viral Knock: Using the Oncolytic Newcastle Disease Virus to Improve Cancer Treatment

Abstract

Anshik Pathak

Cancer has remained a formidable challenge to modern medicine, demanding innovative approaches to improve treatment outcomes. In recent years, oncolytic virotherapy has emerged as a promising field, capitalizing on the ability of certain viruses to selectively target and destroy cancer cells while sparing healthy tissues. Among these viral warriors, the Oncolytic Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) has shown remarkable potential as a potent cancer treatment agent. This review explores the biology, mechanisms of action, and current research surrounding NDV-based therapies, highlighting its ability to revolutionize cancer treatment and bring hope to patients and oncologists alike. Cancer continues to be a leading cause of mortality worldwide, necessitating a constant quest for novel and more effective therapeutic strategies. Conventional treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, while effective to some extent, often cause substantial collateral damage to normal cells and tissues. This has led researchers to explore innovative therapies that can target cancer cells selectively while sparing healthy ones. Oncolytic virotherapy, an emerging field that harnesses the potential of viruses to combat cancer, holds significant promise.