Oncolytic Vaccinia Virus Armed with GM-CSF and IL-7 Enhances Antitumor Immunity in Pancreatic Cancer

<b>Objectives:</b> Pancreatic cancer remains a therapeutic challenge due to its immunosuppressive microenvironment and treatment resistance. This study aimed to develop a novel recombinant oncolytic vaccinia virus (VVL-GL7) co-expressing granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biomedicines
Main Authors: Wenyi Yan, Yujing Xuan, Ruimin Wang, Ziyan Huan, Yu Guo, Huilin Dun, Lihua Xu, Ruxia Han, Xianlei Sun, Lingling Si, Nicholas Robert Lemoine, Yaohe Wang, Pengju Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/4/882
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Summary:<b>Objectives:</b> Pancreatic cancer remains a therapeutic challenge due to its immunosuppressive microenvironment and treatment resistance. This study aimed to develop a novel recombinant oncolytic vaccinia virus (VVL-GL7) co-expressing granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-7 (IL-7), designed to enhance anti-tumor immunity and synergize with immune checkpoint inhibitors. <b>Methods:</b> VVL-GL7 was constructed through CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of TK and A49 genes, combined with the simultaneous insertion of dual cytokine-encoding cassettes. Anti-tumor efficacy was evaluated in vitro and in vivo using C57BL/6 mouse and Syrian hamster pancreatic cancer models. Comprehensive immune profiling evaluated CD8<sup>+</sup> T-cell and macrophage infiltration dynamics while simultaneously assessing memory T-cell differentiation patterns using flow cytometry. Preclinical combination studies of VVL-GL7 and the PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor were systematically evaluated in a syngeneic pancreatic cancer model. <b>Results:</b> VVL-GL7 exhibited potent oncolytic activity, inducing significant tumor regression in both preclinical models. VVL-GL7 therapy significantly augmented CD8<sup>+</sup> T-cell and macrophage infiltration within the tumor microenvironment, while concomitantly driving memory T-cell differentiation. The synergistic effects of VVL-GL7 and the PD-1 blockade further improved therapeutic outcomes, resulting in significantly higher tumor remission rates compared to monotherapy and achieving complete tumor regression in pancreatic cancer models. <b>Conclusions:</b> VVL-GL7 reprograms the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and synergizes with anti-PD-1 antibodies to overcome resistance in pancreatic cancer.
ISSN:2227-9059