Oncolytic Herpes Simplex Virus Engineering and Preparation -- Construction of Capsid-modified Adenoviruses by Recombination in Yeast and Purification by Iodixanol-gradient -- Construction of Targeted and Armed Oncolytic Adenoviruses -- Syrian Hamster Tumor Model to Study Oncolytic Ad5 Based Vectors -- Adenoviral Gene Expression and Replication in Human Tumor Explant Models -- Imaging Luciferase-expressing Viruses -- In vivo Positron Emission Tomography Imaging using the Sodium Iodide Symporter as a Reporter Gene -- Maintaining and Loading Neural Stem Cells for Delivery of Oncolytic Adenovirus to Brain Tumors -- Targeting Brain Tumor Stem Cells with Oncolytic Adenoviruses -- Propagation, Purification and In vivo Testing of Oncolytic Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Strains -- Oncolytic Measles Virus Retargeting by Ligand Display -- Exploring Host Factors that Impact Reovirus Replication, Dissemination, and Reovirus-induced Cell Death in Cancer versus Normal Cells in Culture -- Analysis of Three Properties of Newcastle Disease Virus for Fighting Cancer: Tumor Selective Replication, Antitumor Cytotoxicity and Immunostimulation -- Next Generation Oncolytic Vaccinia Vectors -- Evaluation of Innate Immune Signaling Pathways in Transformed Cells.

Since the first report of an engineered oncolytic virus, there has been a continuing and steady increase of interest in the field, and while bench research remains vital for the translation of research in this field, its success depends on breakthroughs in clinical studies. Oncolytic Viruses: Methods and Protocols describes the construction and purification of capsid-modified adenoviruses as well as oncolytic adenoviruses, presents protocols for many individual virus species including engineering and preparation of oncolytic HSV, propagation, purification, and in vivo testing of oncolytic VSV, details properties of oncolytic reovirus and NDV, and describes the generation and testing of next generation of oncolytic vaccinia virus. As the host immune system plays a critical role in determining efficacy of oncolytic viruses, two chapters are devoted to the study of immune response. Recent advances in stem cell research have led the field in two distinct directions: the use of stem cells as carrier vehicles for oncolytic viruses and the targeting of cancer stem cells. As such, the volume describes the use of explant tissue samples from patients to potentially provide useful information predicting responses prior to clinical translation. Written in the successful Methods in Molecular Biology™ series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.   Authoritative and easily accessible, Oncolytic Viruses: Methods and Protocols seeks to serve both professionals and novices with its well-honed methodologies in an effort to further our knowledge of this essential and vital field.