Abstract:
Cancer is an abnormal proliferation of cells in any part of the body. There are
hundreds of different types of cancers identified according to their subtypes; location
in the human body and responds to treatment. Cancer is becoming a serious threat for
the health of world’s population. It is one of the leading causes of death. Oncolytic
virus immunotherapy is therapeutic methodology, in which viruses are used for the
treatment of cancer. Both natural and genetically modified oncolytic viruses selectively
infect, replicate and eradicate cancer cells. This result not only in cancer cells
reduction but also activates antitumor immune response in patients. Tumor specific
immunity is stimulated by tumor associated antigens which activates antigen presenting
cells, T cells, B cells and NK cells. Thus oncolysis is a two way strategy where
cancer cells are destroyed on one hand by direct action of viral replication and on the
other hand help the immune system in recognition of target cells. In the current study,
systems analysis of signaling pathways is performed to analyze the overall dynamics
of oncolytic viruses, cancer cells and immune response. Qualitative modeling is used
to study the pathway dynamics of oncolytic virotherapy. This study mainly model
the oncolytic viruses infecting cancer cells and activating immune cells, reduction of
cancer due to active immune responses. Immunodeficiency or functional disruption
of immune cells is also studied which implicates that efficacy of therapy reduces due
to immunodeficiency in patients. Petri net formalism is also used to simulate model
for different immune response rates. This study helps in exploring this new cancer
treatment strategy, which can help in the cure of disease and increase the overall
quality of life.
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