ONCOLYTIC VIRUSES Meaning and
Definition
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Oncolytic viruses are specialized viruses that are used in medical treatments targeting cancer cells. These viruses are designed to specifically infect and kill cancer cells while sparing healthy cells. They belong to a class of therapeutic agents known as "oncolytics."
When introduced into the body, oncolytic viruses selectively target and enter cancer cells due to certain receptor molecules present on the cancer cell surface. Once inside, the virus replicates, leading to the destruction of the cancer cell. The replication process often results in the release of new virus particles, which can then infect neighboring cancer cells. This cycle continues, increasing the overall effectiveness of the treatment.
Oncolytic viruses possess several properties that make them suitable for cancer therapy. They can be genetically modified to enhance tumor-selective targeting and to trigger an immune response against the cancer cells. Additionally, the viruses can be modified to carry therapeutic genes that enhance their oncolytic effect or deliver therapeutic payloads such as chemotherapy drugs directly to the cancer cells.
The use of oncolytic viruses as a cancer treatment represents an innovative approach in the field of oncology. It offers potential advantages over conventional treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, as it specifically targets cancer cells, minimizing damage to healthy tissues and reducing side effects. Oncolytic viruses also hold promise for treating drug-resistant cancers, as viruses can circumvent the mechanisms that confer drug resistance.
However, the development and optimization of oncolytic viruses as cancer therapeutics is an active area of research, with ongoing studies investigating their safety, efficacy, and potential combination with other treatments to improve patient outcomes.
Common Misspellings for ONCOLYTIC VIRUSES
- incolytic viruses
- kncolytic viruses
- lncolytic viruses
- pncolytic viruses
- 0ncolytic viruses
- 9ncolytic viruses
- obcolytic viruses
- omcolytic viruses
- ojcolytic viruses
- ohcolytic viruses
- onxolytic viruses
- onvolytic viruses
- onfolytic viruses
- ondolytic viruses
- oncilytic viruses
- oncklytic viruses
- oncllytic viruses
- oncplytic viruses
- onc0lytic viruses
- onc9lytic viruses
Etymology of ONCOLYTIC VIRUSES
The word "oncolytic" is derived from two Greek roots: "onco" meaning tumor or cancer, and "lysis" meaning dissolving or destroying. Thus, oncolytic refers to something that is capable of selectively destroying cancer cells.
The term "oncolytic viruses" specifically refers to viruses that have been modified or engineered to selectively infect and destroy cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed. These viruses have gained attention in recent years as potential therapeutic agents for cancer treatment.
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