Oncolytic virus
View Patent ↗Malignant tumors that are intrinsically resistant to conventional therapies are significant therapeutic challenges. An embodiment of the present invention provides an oncolytic virus capable of killing target cells, such as a tumor cells. In various embodiments presented herein, the oncolytic virus is armed or encodes a therapeutic polypeptide. In at least one embodiment, a recombinant oncolytic virus has been generated that can specifically replicate in cancer cells leading to their destruction and at the same time secrete robust amounts of a therapeutic polypeptide. Compositions and methods disclosed herein have broad therapeutic applicability.
1. A recombinant expression vector comprising:
a nucleic acid that comprises a nucleotide sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 3 or a degenerate variant thereof, the sequence operably linked to an immediate early HSV promoter IE4/5,
wherein the nucleotide sequence encodes an angiostatic polypeptide.
2. The recombinant expression vector of claim 1 , wherein:
the nucleic acid is a modified herpes simplex virus characterized by being a mutant deficient for both copies of its native γ 1 34.5 gene.
3. The recombinant expression vector of claim 1 , wherein:
the nucleic acid further comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding a Chase ABC polypeptide.
4. The recombinant expression vector of claim 2 , wherein:
the nucleic acid further comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding a Chase ABC polypeptide.
5. The recombinant expression vector of claim 1 , wherein:
the vector is a modified herpes simplex virus.