VC2-GM-CSF

VC2-GM-CSF is an engineered oncolytic herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) designed to selectively infect and lyse cancer cells while stimulating a systemic antitumor immune response. The VC2 backbone is a live-attenuated HSV-1 strain developed at Louisiana State University, characterized by specific mutations (such as in the gK and UL20 genes) that enhance its safety profile and promote syncytia formation for better intratumoral spread. This variant is engineered to express Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF), a potent cytokine that recruits and activates dendritic cells and other antigen-presenting cells to the tumor site. The dual mechanism of direct viral oncolysis and local cytokine-mediated immune stimulation is intended to overcome the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and induce a robust T-cell response. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that VC2-GM-CSF can synergize with chemotherapy agents like paclitaxel to reduce primary tumor growth and inhibit metastasis in aggressive breast cancer models.

Other names

VC2-GMCSF oncolytic virusVC-2-GMCSF oncolytic virusVC 2-GMCSF oncolytic virus