Recombinant Oncolytic Poliovirus for Glioblastoma: A Current Review of PVS(RIPO)

While the prognosis for glioblastoma multiforme remains grim with a median survival of 12-15 months, PVS(RIPO), a recombinant oncolytic poliovirus, is emerging as a novel immunotherapeutic approach to treat malignancy. PVS(RIPO) is a genetically recombinant poliovirus-rhinovirus chimera that demonstrates antitumor efficacy via two main mechanisms: cytotoxicity and its subsequent immunogenenic response. Here, I review the rationale for oncolytic viruses in the treatment of glioblastoma, the development of PVS(RIPO), the underlying mechanisms of action of PVS(RIPO), the critical preclinical trial that demonstrated its safety and efficacy, the ongoing clinical trials that have shown promising preliminary data, and limitations of PVS(RIPO) as an oncolytic virus for glioblastoma therapy.