System Analysis of Anti-tumor, Anti-Viral and Immune Response of Oncolytic Viruses Therapy

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. 1