Virotherapy using oncolytic vaccinia virus strains is one of the most promising new strategies for cancer therapy. In the current study, we analyzed the therapeutic efficacy of the oncolytic vaccinia virus GLV-1h68 against two human prostate cancer cell lines DU-145 and PC-3 in cell culture and in tumor xenograft models. By viral proliferation assays and cell survival tests, we demonstrated that GLV-1h68 was able to infect, replicate in, and lyse these prostate cancer cells in culture. In DU-145 and PC-3 tumor xenograft models, a single intravenous injection with GLV-1h68 resulted in a significant reduction of primary tumor size. In addition, the GLV-1h68-infection led to strong inflammatory and oncolytic effects resulting in drastic reduction of regional lymph nodes with PC-3 metastases. Our data documented that the GLV-1h68 virus has a great potential for treatment of human prostate carcinoma.

Despite significant advances in cancer therapy, the prognosis for patients with advanced, disseminated disease remains poor. This underscores the urgent need for novel treatments that not only eliminate tumor cells effectively but also stimulate a strong, durable anti-cancer immune response. Among emerging strategies, oncolytic viruses have shown exceptional promise due to their selective cytotoxicity and their ability to activate T cell-mediated immune responses. In this review, we focus on the vaccinia virus (VACV), a member of the Poxviridae family, which has emerged as a leading candidate in modern oncolytic immunotherapy. We examine the virus’s properties that enable it to evade antiviral defenses and serve as a versatile, potent oncolytic agent. Furthermore, we explore its interactions with various components of the immune system and how these contribute to the induction of a robust T cell-driven response. Finally, we assess current efforts to harness VACV for the treatment of various cancer types and highlight future directions where its application is most likely to succeed. Overall, our goal is to present VACV as a powerful and broadly applicable platform with the potential to transform the landscape of oncology.

Despite significant advances in cancer therapy, the prognosis for patients with advanced, disseminated disease remains poor. This underscores the urgent need for novel treatments that not only eliminate tumor cells effectively but also stimulate a strong, durable anti-cancer immune response. Among emerging strategies, oncolytic viruses have shown exceptional promise due to their selective cytotoxicity and their ability to activate T-cell-mediated immune responses. In this review, we focus on the vaccinia virus (VACV), a member of the Poxviridae family, which has emerged as a leading candidate in modern oncolytic immunotherapy. We examine the virus's properties that enable it to evade antiviral defenses and serve as a versatile, potent oncolytic agent. Furthermore, we explore its interactions with various components of the immune system and how these contribute to the induction of a robust T-cell driven response. Finally, we assess current efforts to harness VACV for the treatment of various cancer types and highlight future directions where its application is most likely to succeed. Overall, our goal is to present VACV as a powerful and broadly applicable platform with the potential to transform the landscape of oncology