Provided is a composition for treating tumors in a subject comprising a therapeutically effective amount of an exosome carrying CTLA4-targeting miRNA and a therapeutically effective amount of an oncolytic herpes simplex virus expressing an immunostimulatory agent or both an immunostimulatory agent and an anti-PD-1 antibody. Wherein an exo-motif operably links to the seed sequence of the CTLA4-targeting miRNA to enhance the packaging of the CTLA4-targeting miRNA into the exosome.

A malaria vaccine composition is disclosed herein that uses liver-stage parasite exported proteins as the target of a protective immune response instead of sporozoite proteins. Also disclosed is a recombinant viral particle that comprises a fusion protein disclosed herein, wherein the malaria antigen is displayed within the viral particle. Also disclosed is an isolated polynucleotide that comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a fusion protein disclosed herein operably linked to an expression control sequence. Also disclosed is a recombinant herpes simplex virus (HSV) genome comprising a modified VP26 gene encoding a fusion protein disclosed herein. Also disclosed is a vaccine composition that comprises a recombinant viral particle disclosed herein in a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. In some cases, the composition further comprises an adjuvant.

As disclosed herein, the assistance of a new generation of immunotoxins (split-immunotoxins) the range of cancers susceptible to elimination by oncolytic viruses and the specific toxicity of the latter can be expanded without compromising the selectivity of targeting. To accomplish this goal, a polypeptide chain of a potent bacterial toxin (including, but not limited to a catalytic subunit of a Diphtheria toxin, DTA) can be split into two benign parts, which can then be delivered to the cytoplasm of cancer cells via two independent cancer-specific pathways: (1) together with an oncolytic virus (encoded in its genome); (2) as a split-immunotoxin delivered via receptor-specific toxin entry pathways. The two parts are fused into a functional toxin only in the cytoplasm of dually targeted cancer cells by means of intein-catalyzed trans-splicing.

Provided herein, in some aspects, are antibody expression systems comprising DNA launched RNA replicons for high level antibody expression. In some embodiments, the antibody is a therapeutic antibody. In some embodiments, the antibody is an immune check point inhibitor. Methods of using the antibody expression system for treating diseases (e.g., cancer) are also provided.

As disclosed herein, the assistance of a new generation of immunotoxins (split-immunotoxins) the range of cancers susceptible to elimination by oncolytic viruses and the specific toxicity of the latter can be expanded without compromising the selectivity of targeting. To accomplish this goal, a polypeptide chain of a potent bacterial toxin (including, but not limited to a catalytic subunit of a Diphtheria toxin, DTA) can be split into two benign parts, which can then be delivered to the cytoplasm of cancer cells via two independent cancer-specific pathways: (1) together with an oncolytic virus (encoded in its genome); (2) as a split-immunotoxin delivered via receptor-specific toxin entry pathways. The two parts are fused into a functional toxin only in the cytoplasm of dually targeted cancer cells by means of intein-catalyzed trans-splicing.

Disclosed herein is a recombinant oncolytic virus comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL). One such oncolytic virus is oHSV. One form of TRAIL contained within the oncolytic virus is a secreted form of TRAIL. Examples of various forms of oHSV and secreted TRAIL are disclosed therein. Also disclosed are host cells and therapeutic formulations comprising the recombinant oncolytic virus. Also disclosed are methods of treating cancer in a subject by administering a therapeutic formulation comprising the recombinant oncolytic virus to the subject.

The present invention generally provides HSV-based genome editing vectors, cell-based compositions, and methods of using the same.

Disclosed herein is a recombinant oncolytic virus comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL). One such oncolytic virus is oHSV. One form of TRAIL contained within the oncolytic virus is a secreted form of TRAIL. Examples of various forms of oHSV and secreted TRAIL are disclosed therein. Also disclosed are host cells and therapeutic formulations comprising the recombinant oncolytic virus. Also disclosed are methods of treating cancer in a subject by administering a therapeutic formulation comprising the recombinant oncolytic virus to the subject.

Disclosed are genetic expression cassettes, and vectors comprising them useful for the delivery of isolated nucleic acid segments including those expressing or encoding one or more selected therapeutic constructs (including, without limitation, therapeutic peptides, polypeptides, ribozymes, or catalytic RNA molecules), to one or more selected cells or tissues of a vertebrate animal. Methods employing the disclosed genetic constructs in the development of gene therapy-based viral vector systems are also disclosed. The expression cassettes and viral vectors disclosed herein provide new tools for methods of treating mammalian, and in particular, human diseases, disorders, and/or dysfunctions. The disclosed compositions and methods find particular utility in a variety of investigative, diagnostic, and therapeutic regimens, including, for example, in the treatment or amelioration of symptoms of a variety of mammalian, and particularly, human conditions.