vesicular stomatitis virus Δ51-interferon gamma

Vesicular stomatitis virus Δ51-interferon gamma (VSVΔ51-IFNγ) is an engineered oncolytic rhabdovirus designed to selectively replicate in and destroy cancer cells while stimulating a systemic antitumor immune response. The virus features a deletion of the 51st amino acid (methionine) in its matrix (M) protein (Δ51), which renders it unable to suppress the host's innate interferon response; this restricts viral replication to tumor cells, which frequently possess defective interferon signaling pathways. To enhance its immunotherapeutic efficacy, the virus is engineered to encode the proinflammatory cytokine interferon-gamma (IFNγ). Upon infection and subsequent oncolysis, the virus serves as a local gene therapy vector, producing functional IFNγ within the tumor microenvironment. This local production induces STAT1 phosphorylation, upregulates MHC class I expression on tumor cells, and promotes the maturation of dendritic cells, ultimately driving a robust, T-cell-mediated antitumor immune response that can target both primary tumors and metastases.

Other names

VSVΔ51-mIFNγIFNγ-encoding vesicular stomatitis virus