Development of intravenously administered synthetic RNA virus immunotherapy for the treatment of cancer

Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are an emerging therapeutic approach for the treatment of cancer. Clinical benefit has been demonstrated for intratumoral administration, but the therapeutic effectiveness of intravenous delivery has been limited by neutralizing antibody responses against the virus. To circumvent this limitation, we developed Synthetic RNA viruses, a novel approach for intravenous and repeated administration of OVs, consisting of a viral RNA genome (vRNA) formulated within lipid nanoparticles. For two Synthetic RNA virus drug candidates, Seneca Valley virus (SVV) and Coxsackievirus A21 (CVA21), we demonstrate vRNA delivery, viral replication, spread, and lysis of tumor cells leading to potent anti-tumor efficacy, even in the presence of OV neutralizing antibodies in the bloodstream. Synthetic-SVV replication in tumors promoted immune cell infiltration and enhanced anti-tumor activity in combination with anti-PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor. Altogether, the Synthetic RNA virus platform provides an innovative approach that enables repeat intravenous administration of viral immunotherapy.