Oncolytic viruses, which include both naturally occurring wild-type viruses/attenuated viruses and genetically modified viruses, have recently been developed for use in innovative cancer therapies. Genetically modified oncolytic viruses possess the unique ability to replicate conditionally as a unique gene therapy product. Since oncolytic viruses exhibit prolonged persistence in patients, viral shedding and transmission to third parties should be major concerns for clinical trials along with the clinical safety and efficacy.
Shedding is linked to biodistribution studies but unlike biodistribution, which describes how a product is spread within the animal model’s or patient’s body from the site of administration, shedding describes how it is excreted or released from the body.
In Generi Biotech, we have vast experience with qPCR testing in different matrices, most commonly in:
- excreta (feces)
- secreta (urine, saliva, nasopharyngeal fluids etc.)
- skin-related tissue biopsies (pustules, sores, wounds)