Dr Ernesto Mej\u00edas P\u00e9rez Ram\u00f3n y Cajal researcher Instituto Maimonides de Investigaci\u00f3n Biom\u00e9dica de C\u00f3rdoba (IMIBIC), Universidad de C\u00f3rdoba. Dpto. de Biolog\u00eda Celular, Fisiolog\u00eda e Inmunolog\u00eda<\/em><\/p>\n In the fight against cancer, conventional treatments fall short of healthcare expectations. Oncolytic virotherapy is a versatile and robust alternative. With exceptional immunogenic features, Vaccinia virus (VACV) is a standout oncolytic vector whose anti-tumor ability is usually enhanced by gene deletions for better safety and heterologous genes insertions for improved cytotoxicity. Yet, VACV’s translation to effective anti-tumor treatments suffers from major shortcomings that warrant immediate solutions, among those the limited efficacy as a standalone treatment need to be overcome.<\/p>\n To tackle this challenge head-on, my laboratory is focused on developing next-generation synergistic therapeutic strategies towards strengthening the anti-tumor effects of the oncolytic virotherapy based on Vaccinia virus by boosting the infection efficacy and triggering a strong chemosensitization upon nucleoside analog treatment. This approach builds on the unique multifaceted role that SAMHD1 has at the interface oncolysis:chemotherapy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"