Grant: Project Grant - PA: Breast Cancer Research

Cancer killing viruses carry a "payload" as a form of a "transgene". This payload is critical for anti-cancer efficacy. The transgene is often a carbon copy of a human gene, but we know that the human genetics is very different to that of a virus. This is like putting a Ford F150 engine into a Ferrari, it can work but it will not be ideal for the chassis. The project describes our approach to obtain maximal payload expression by "viro-optimizing - Viralyzing" every parts of the transgenes. Our goal is to achieve maximal "payload" expression from "transgenes" encoded by oncolytic viruses - viruses geared towards cancer immunotherapies. We want the most bang for our bucks with these critical therapeutic payloads, so every part needs to be perfectly aligned with the machine. Every virus is unique and we have defined distinct blueprints that can provide the greatest powertrain for transgenes encoded within the only FDA approved oncolytic virus, Herpes Simplex Virus-1. Oncolytic viruses are powerful machines that can have massive impact for cancer immunotherapies. More than 150 viruses are currently under investigation in labs and companies around the world. For best responses, these viruses are all upgraded with a payload, but this addition has surprisingly not been optimally encoded for their unique racing machine. This project aims to turbocharge transgene expression and to apply our technology to clinically relevant cancer virotherapies. Patients want the best machine available and our optimal transgene program will put their oncolytic virus of choice in the pole position.