Scientific Publications Database

Article Title: Development and applications of oncolytic Maraba virus vaccines
Authors: Pol, Jonathan G.; Atherton, Matthew J.; Bridle, Byram W.; Stephenson, Kyle B.; Le Boeuf, Fabrice; Hummel, Jeff L.; Martin, Chantal G.; Pomoransky, Julia; Breitbach, Caroline J.; Diallo, Jean-Simon; Stojdl, David F.; Bell, John C.; Wan, Yonghong; Lichty, Brian D.
Journal: ONCOLYTIC VIROTHERAPY Volume 7
Date of Publication:2018
Abstract:
Oncolytic activity of the MG1 strain of the Maraba vesiculovirus has proven efficacy in numerous preclinical cancer models, and relied not only on a direct cytotoxicity but also on the induction of both innate and adaptive antitumor immunity. To further expand tumor-specific T-cell effector and long-lasting memory compartments, we introduced the MG1 virus in a prime-boost cancer vaccine strategy. To this aim, a replication-incompetent adenoviral [Ad] vector together with the oncolytic MG1 have each been armed with a transgene expressing a same tumor antigen. Immune priming with the Ad vaccine subsequently boosted with the MG1 vaccine mounted tumor-specific responses of remarkable magnitude, which significantly prolonged survival in various murine cancer models. Based on these promising results, we validated the safety profile of the Ad:MG1 oncolytic vaccination strategy in nonhuman primates and initiated clinical investigations in cancer patients. Two clinical trials are currently under way (NCT02285816; NCT02879760). The present review will recapitulate the discoveries that led to the development of MG1 oncolytic vaccines from bench to bedside.