Tumor cells modified by oncolytic virus expressing Interleukin-18 (IL-18), C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 9 (CXCL9), and synthetic antigens

This target refers to tumor cells that have been genetically modified through infection with an engineered oncolytic virus, such as the TG6050 platform (Transgene, 2023). The strategy utilizes the virus as a delivery vehicle for three primary payloads: the pro-inflammatory cytokine Interleukin-18 (IL-18), the T-cell recruiting chemokine C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 9 (CXCL9), and a synthetic antigen. IL-18 works to enhance the effector function of T cells and Natural Killer (NK) cells by inducing interferon-gamma production, while CXCL9 creates a chemotactic gradient that draws CXCR3-positive immune cells into the tumor microenvironment (Liu et al., 2022). The synthetic antigen tagging component involves the expression of a non-native protein on the tumor cell surface, effectively labeling the cancer cells for recognition by secondary immunotherapies such as CAR T-cells or bispecific antibodies (Park et al., 2020). This multi-pronged approach aims to overcome the cold tumor microenvironment by promoting immune infiltration and providing a clear, uniform target for the immune system, even in tumors with high heterogeneity or low natural antigen expression.

Other names

TG6050-modified tumor cellsOncolytic virus-mediated synthetic antigen taggingOV-CXCL9-IL18 platformViral-mediated synthetic target tagging

Viral-mediated oncolysis combined with localized expression of IL-18 and CXCL9 to recruit and activate T-cells, alongside synthetic antigen expression to enable targeted killing by secondary immunotherapies.