ABSTRACT
As a result of their oncotropism, oncolytic activity, and low capacity for danger signaling, some autonomous parvoviruses open new prospects to cancer therapy. Pilot Phase I clinical trials in humans using natural parvoviruses and pre-clinical studies in animals using both wild-type parvoviruses and vector derivatives transducing various cytokines, lend credit to the possible application of these agents to the fight against cancer. The oncosuppressive effects of natural and recombi-
nant parvoviruses are reviewed, and possible mechanisms are discussed in the light of recent findings in the field of immunotherapy, which bear relevance to the development of more potent parvovirus-based anticancer agents.
