What is an Oncolytic Virus and its Cost?

Targeting Cancer with Viruses: Understanding Oncolytic Virus Therapy and Its Cost

Oncolytic virus therapy is a cancer treatment that utilises a virus to infect and destroy cancer cells while sparing healthy cells selectively. In India, oncolytic virus therapy typically costs between ₹2,50,000 and ₹5,00,000, depending on the hospital, treatment protocol, and patient condition.

What is an Oncolytic Virus Therapy?

Oncolytic virus therapy is a specific type of cancer treatment that utilises genetically modified viruses to selectively target and destroy cancer cells. These viruses, known as oncolytic viruses, replicate within cancer cells, causing them to rupture.

Ruptured viral particles then get released and destroy the neighbouring cancer cells. This process is known as oncolysis, which can trigger an immune response against cancer.   

What is the Cost of an Oncolytic Virus?

The cost of an oncolytic virus in India may range from ₹2,00,000 to ₹4,50,000 per dose, depending on the virus type, production complexity, and clinical trial access. The exact cost of the virus depends on the production costs and efficacy. Oncolytic virus therapy is still in the research and clinical trial phase in India. While some private centres offer experimental protocols, it is not yet widely available as a standard treatment and lacks formal regulatory approval for general use.   

What are the Factors Affecting the Cost of Oncolytic Virus Therapy?

These are some of the factors that influence the overall cost of oncolytic virus therapy in India. Let us discuss them in detail:

• Virus Strain and Modification : Oncolytic viruses are engineered viruses that selectively target and destroy cancer cells. The cost of these strains can vary depending on whether a naturally attenuated virus or a genetically modified vector is used, and the complexity of the genetic modifications.
• Cancer Type and Stage : The type of cancer and its stage, such as melanoma or lung cancer, can influence the treatment approach and duration, affecting the overall cost. Severe cases can increase the number of sessions and may include additional tests, influencing the overall costs.  
• Treatment Duration and Cycles : Oncolytic virus therapy may involve multiple treatment cycles, and the duration of each cycle can vary, impacting the total cost. The cost of the oncolytic virus itself, as well as other medications, can become a significant factor.
• Combination Therapies : Oncolytic virus therapy is sometimes used in combination with other treatments, such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy. This can increase the overall cost, but may also improve treatment efficacy.

How Effective is Oncolytic Virus Therapy in Treating Cancer?

Oncolytic virus therapy is a promising cancer treatment approach that utilises viruses to selectively target and destroy cancer cells. While it shows great potential, particularly when combined with other therapies, its effectiveness varies depending on the type of cancer and the specific virus used in the treatment.

What are the Key Aspects of Oncolytic Virus Therapy?

Let us discuss some key aspects of the oncolytic virus therapy:

• Selective Targeting: Oncolytic Viruses infect and replicate within cancer cells, causing them to rupture and die (lysis).
• Immune System Activation: They can stimulate the body’s immune system to recognise and attack cancer cells, leading to a more sustained anti-tumour response.
• Combination Therapy: Combining oncolytic viruses with other therapies has shown promising patient outcomes and response rates.
• FDA Approved: Talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC), a genetically designed herpes simplex virus, is FDA-approved for treating advanced melanoma.
• Tumour Shrinkage: In select clinical trials, oncolytic virus therapy has shown tumour shrinkage and partial remission in certain cancers, such as melanoma. However, outcomes vary and are still under investigation.   

Oncolytic viruses can face challenges like limited delivery to tumours, especially in metastatic cases. The need for further optimisation to enhance their targeting and efficacy can be challenging due to genetic morphology. Ongoing research is crucial to enhance viral specificity and combine oncolytic viruses with other immunotherapies to maximise their potential.