Which type of therapy involves the administration of modified viruses to target cancer cells?

Oncolytic virus therapy specifically refers to the use of genetically modified viruses that selectively infect and kill cancer cells while sparing normal cells. The modified viruses are designed to replicate within the tumor, leading to the destruction of cancer cells and the induction of an immune response against the tumor. This method harnesses the natural ability of some viruses to target and destroy malignant cells, providing a novel approach to cancer treatment.

In contrast, cancer vaccines are designed to stimulate the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells, but they do not involve the direct use of viruses. Adoptive cell therapy involves the modification and infusion of immune cells to enhance the body's ability to fight cancer, which is a distinct technique. Immune checkpoint inhibitors function by blocking proteins that suppress the immune response to cancer cells, again differing fundamentally from the viral manipulation seen in oncolytic virus therapy. Therefore, oncolytic virus therapy is the correct term to describe the administration of modified viruses to target cancer cells.