vaccinia virus expressing interleukin-37

Vaccinia virus expressing interleukin-37 is a genetically engineered oncolytic virus in which a vaccinia viral vector is armed with the full-length gene encoding human interleukin-37 (IL-37), an anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory cytokine of the IL-1 family. This construct is designed to selectively infect and replicate within tumor cells, thereby delivering IL-37 directly into the tumor microenvironment. Mechanistically, VV-IL-37 exerts both oncolytic and immunomodulatory effects: it induces direct tumor cell lysis, promotes antitumor immune responses by reducing pro-inflammatory factors and immunosuppressive signals (notably via suppression of STAT3 signaling), and increases infiltration of key immune cells such as dendritic cells, natural killer cells, and cytotoxic T lymphocytes into tumors. The combination of viral oncolysis and IL-37-mediated immunomodulation has been shown, in preclinical models (notably hepatocellular carcinoma xenografts), to significantly inhibit tumor growth, migration, and invasion, and promote durable antitumor immunity. This approach represents a promising strategy in cancer immunotherapy, with ongoing research suggesting its utility for solid tumors, especially those with a highly immunosuppressive microenvironment[1][2].

Other names

VV-IL-37VV-IL37VV-IL 37vaccinia virus-IL-37oncolytic vaccinia virus expressing IL-37