VC2-OVA

VC2-OVA is a recombinant oncolytic herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) vaccine vector engineered to express the ovalbumin (OVA) antigen. Developed by researchers at Louisiana State University, the virus utilizes the VC2 platform, which is a modified HSV-1 strain with deletions in the gK and UL20 genes that restrict its replication to specific cell types while maintaining potent immunogenicity. In VC2-OVA, the OVA antigen is fused in-frame to the amino terminus of the viral VP26 protein, allowing for efficient expression and presentation of the antigen to the immune system. The agent is designed to function as a personalized cancer vaccine, leveraging the oncolytic properties of the virus to kill tumor cells and the immunotherapeutic properties to elicit robust anti-tumor T-cell responses against specific tumor-associated antigens. Preclinical studies in mouse melanoma and lymphoma models have demonstrated its efficacy in both prophylactic and therapeutic settings, with superior results observed via subcutaneous and intradermal administration.

Other names

recombinant HSV-1(VC2) expressing ovalbumin