Oncolytic viruses (OVs) have emerged as a promising anticancer treatment. OVs selectively infect, replicate in, and kill tumor cells. Oncolytic viral therapy occurs in two phases: an initial phase where the virus mediates direct oncolysis of tumor cells, and a second phase where an induced post-oncolytic immune response continues to mediate tumor destruction and retards progression of the disease. For a long time, the therapeutic efficacy was thought to depend mainly on the direct viral oncolysis based on their tumor selective replication and killing activities. But the post-oncolytic anti-tumor activity induced by the OV therapy is also a key factor for an efficient therapeutic activity. The topic adresses various strategies how to optimize OVs anti-tumor activity.

Epigenetics is defined as the study of modifications of the genome, heritable during cell division that does not involve changes in DNA sequences. Up to date, epigenetic modifications involve at least three general mechanisms regulating gene expression: histone modifications, DNA methylation, and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). For the past two decades, an explosion in our interest and understanding of epigenetic mechanisms has been seen. This mainly based on the influence that epigenetic alterations have on an amazing number of biological processes, such as gene expression, imprinting, programmed DNA rearrangements, germ line silencing, developmentally cued stem cell division, and overall chromosomal stability and identity. It has become also evident that the constant exposure of living organisms to environment factors affects their genomes through epigenetic mechanisms. Viruses infecting animal cells are thought to play central roles in shaping the epigenetic scenario of infected cells. In this context it has become obvious that knowing the impact that viral infections have on the epigenetic control of their host cells will certainly lead to a better understanding of the interplay viruses have with animal cells. In fact, DNA viruses use host transcription factors as well as epigenetic regulators in such a way that they affect epigenetic control of gene expression that extends to host gene expression. At the same time, animal cells employ mechanisms controlling transcription factors and epigenetic processes, in order to eliminate viral infections. In summary, epigenetic mechanisms are involved in most virus-cell interactions. We now know that some viruses exhibit epigenetic immune evasion mechanisms to survive and propagate in their host; however, there is still much ambiguity over these epigenetic mechanisms of viral immune evasion, and most of the discovered mechanisms are still incomplete. Other animal viruses associated to cancer often deregulate cellular epigenetic mechanisms, silencing cellular tumor-suppressor genes and/or activating either viral or host cell oncogenes. In addition, in several cancers the down-regulation of tumor suppressor protein-coding genes and ncRNAs with growth inhibitory functions, such as miRNAs, have been closely linked to the presence of cell CpG island promoter hypermethylation. The goal of the aforementioned Research Topic is to bring together the key experimental and theoretical research, linking state-of-the-art knowledge about the epigenetic mechanisms involved in animal virus-cell interactions.

Overcoming Ovarian Cancer Chemoresistance presents non-overlapping review chapters that discuss the state of the field in overcoming chemoresistance of ovarian cancer and treatment options before and following recurrence, considering the genetic makeup of the ovarian cancer patient and her tumor. With the uptake of both germline and somatic gene testing, clinicians can obtain a more comprehensive understanding of ovarian tumors and this book provides information to link the genetic makeup of a tumor (or patient) with the best available treatment. The book discusses topics such as strategies to fight chemo-resistance in ovarian cancer, circulating DNA as a monitor of response, BRCA mutations, ovarian cancer stem cells, immunotherapy and vaccines. Additionally, it brings a list of promising agents at clinical and pre-clinical stage that will impact the treatment in the near future. This book is a valuable source for cancer researchers, oncologists and several members of biomedical field who need to understand how to battle chemoresistance in ovarian cancer. Provides a comprehensive view of both biological and genetic determinants of resistance, as well as technical approaches to monitor response Discusses genetic reversions as a unique alteration and a new field of study Includes a chapter on upcoming and promising agents that are in the pre-clinical and early clinical space, to set the stage for future directions in the field

Delivery Technologies for Immuno-Oncology: Volume 1: Delivery Strategies and Engineering Technologies in Cancer Immunotherapy examines the challenges of delivering immuno-oncology therapies. Immuno-oncology (IO) is a growing field of medicine at the interface of immunology and cancer biology leading to development of novel therapeutic approaches, such as chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) and immune checkpoint blockade antibodies, that are clinically approved approaches for cancer therapy. Although currently approved IO approaches have shown tremendous promise for select types of cancers, broad application of IO strategies could even further improve the clinical success, especially for diseases such as pancreatic cancer, brain tumors where the success of IO so far has been limited. Nanotechnology-based targeted delivery strategies could improve the delivery efficiency of IO agents as well as provide additional avenues for novel therapeutic and vaccination strategies. Additionally, a number of locally-administered immunogenic scaffolds and therapeutic strategies, such as the use of STING agonist, could benefit from rationally designed biomaterials and delivery approaches. Delivery Technologies for Immuno-Oncology: Volume 1: Delivery Strategies and Engineering Technologies in Cancer Immunotherapy creates a comprehensive treaty that engages the scientific and medical community who are involved in the challenges of immunology, cancer biology, and therapeutics with possible solutions from the nanotechnology and drug delivery side. Comprehensive treaty covering all aspects of immuno-oncology (IO) Novel strategies for delivery of IO therapeutics and vaccines Forecasting on the future of nanotechnology and drug delivery for IO

This book overviews the applications of viral nanoparticles (VNPs) in areas ranging from materials science to biomedicine. It summarizes the many different VNP building blocks and describes chemistries that allow one to attach, entrap, or display functionalities on VNPs. The book outlines the strategies for the construction of 1-, 2-, and 3-D arrays, highlights the achievements in utilizing VNPs as tools for novel biosensors and nanoelectronic devices, and describes efforts in designing VNPs for biomedical applications, including their use as gene delivery vectors, novel vaccines, imaging modalities, and applications in targeted therapeutics.

Nucleic Acid Nanotheranostics: Biomedical Applications offers a comprehensive overview of improvements and new trends in fabrication of nanostructures as theranostic multifunctional carriers in gene therapy. With a strong focus on medical applications (comprising diagnosis, therapy and imaging), the book also examines gene therapy in an individual patient’s cells or tissues to treat genetic diseases. Sections cover Biomedical and Diagnostic applications of Nucleic Acids, Biologic and Synthetic Advanced Nanostructures for nucleic acid delivery, and important considerations of nanomedicine. This book is a valuable guide for materials scientists, physicians, chemists and engineers, but is also ideal for clinicians wishing to expand their knowledge. Provides a unique source of knowledge (theoretical as well as practical) on nanotheranostic materials for gene therapy at all levels and related scientific areas Covers the pros and cons related to viral and nanomaterial-based delivery of nucleic acids in terms of biosafety, carrier selection, synthesis and bioimaging Presents the only book to include an analysis of nanoformulations approved for clinical use