Tumor cells require an active interferon (IFN) signalling pathway for the success of many anticancer therapies. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2022.821816/full
The AWARE-1 study results presented at SABC 2022 on December 07, 2022 demonstrated that pelareorep activated the IFN signalling pathway and "primes" the tumor in advance of immune checkpoint inhibition. (see below) “Pelareorep primes the tumor for checkpoint inhibition therapy by activating the interferon-gamma signaling pathway and tumor inflammation signature in early breast cancer patients - results of the AWARE-1 trial”
Loghmani, Houra et al, Previously presented at the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium®; December 6-10, 2022
https://www.oncolyticsbiotech.com/technology/posters-publications
And by pelareorep's effect in down-regulating HIF-1a the issue of TME hypoxia is simultaneously addressed.
Which is an issue highlighted in the above referenced Frontiers - University of Oxford England paper ...
"In solid tumors, as the tumor grows and the disease progresses, hypoxic regions are often generated, but in contrast to most normal cells which cannot survive under these conditions, tumour cells adapt to hypoxia by HIF-driven mechanisms. Hypoxia can further promote cancer development by generating an immunosuppressive environment within the tumour mass, which allows tumour cells to escape the immune system recognition. This is achieved by recruiting immunosuppressive cells and by upregulating molecules which block immune cell activation. Hypoxia can also confer resistance to antitumor therapies by inducing the expression of membrane proteins that increase drug efflux or by inhibiting the apoptosis of treated cells. In addition, tumor cells require an active interferon (IFN) signalling pathway for the success of many anticancer therapies, such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Therefore, hypoxic effects on this pathway needs to be addressed for a successful treatment."
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2022.821816/full