VSV-SB-HCC1

VSV-SB-HCC1 is an experimental oncolytic virus-based therapy developed from vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) engineered to express a cDNA library of immunologically relevant tumor-associated antigens derived from SB-HCC (Sleeping Beauty-mediated hepatocellular carcinoma) explants. The aim is to induce a robust, CD8+ T cell-dependent anti-tumor response specifically targeting the virally delivered tumor antigens, thereby enhancing anti-cancer immunity in hepatocellular carcinoma models. VSV-SB-HCC1 is one variant (others include VSV-SB-HCC2,3) used to evaluate the efficacy of antigen-expressing oncolytic virus in advanced liver cancer models. The platform departs from previous strategies that relied on VSV-expressed IFNβ or single antigens, by using a library of HCC-derived antigens to prime the immune system more broadly. In preclinical mouse models, VSV-SB-HCC1 generated strong, durable anti-tumor effects even without immune checkpoint inhibition, and the therapeutic efficacy was shown to be CD8+ T cell-dependent[2].