A recombinant vaccinia virus containing a gene encoding sPD-1 or hyaluronidase and a pharmaceutical composition including the same are disclosed. The recombinant vaccinia virus containing a cancer therapy gene and having suppressed expression of K3L, TK, or VGF gene of the vaccinia virus has an excellent anti-tumor effect. Therefore, the recombinant vaccinia virus of the present invention can be advantageously used in cancer treatment.

The present invention relates generally to the fields of oncology, virology and immunotherapy. More particularly, it concerns the use of poxviruses, specifically the replication competent attenuated vaccinia virus with deletion of thymidine kinase (VC-TK.sup.−) with and without the expression of human Flt3L or GM-CSF as oncolytic and immunotherapy. The foregoing poxviruses can also be used in combination with immune checkpoint blocking agents. The foregoing poxviruses can also be inactivated via Heat or UV-treatment and the inactivated virus can be used as immunotherapy either alone or in combination with immune checkpoint blocking agents.

Provided are immunostimulatory bacteria and oncolytic viruses, and pharmaceutical compositions containing the bacteria and/or viruses, that act as three prime repair exonuclease 1 (TREX1) antagonists. The bacteria and viruses are for treating tumors that are human papillomavirus (HPV) positive or that have a high tumor mutational burden (TMB). The immunostimulatory bacteria and oncolytic viruses encode therapeutic products such RNAi, such as shRNA and microRNA, that mediate gene disruption and/or inhibit expression of TREX1, or that inhibit TREX1. The bacteria contain additional modifications to enhance their anti-tumor activity. The bacteria and viruses are used for treatment of tumors in which TREX1 expression correlates with the presence of the tumor or properties of the tumor, such that inhibition of TREX1 advantageously treats the tumor.

An object of the present invention is to provide a protective method for liver comprising the administration of an extract from inflamed tissues inoculated with vaccinia virus to a patient who needs the treatment and to provide a liver protective agent, etc. where such an extract is an active ingredient. In the present invention, it has been recognized that, in hepatocytes, activation of NF-B, expression of NF-B target genes, activation of JNK, apoptosis and fat accumulation can be inhibited or suppressed. The agent containing the extract as an active ingredient is a drug exhibiting less adverse action and high safety. Accordingly, the present invention provides very useful protective method for liver and liver protecting agent.

Nucleic acid expression systems for delivery of oligonucleotides, such as RNA oligonucleotides, to target cells and methods of using the same are provided herein. Exemplary nucleic acid expression systems for expression of a payload sequence include at least one composition that delivers an inhibitor of a NF-κB pathway and/or an inhibitor of an IRF pathway. Provided herein are also pharmaceutical compositions that deliver an inhibitor of a NF-κB pathway and/or an inhibitor of an IRF pathway, and methods of using the same for enhancing expression of an oligonucleotide, such as an RNA oligonucleotide.

A recombinant viral vector, an immunogenic composition comprising the same, and uses. The recombinant viral vector comprises a polynucleotide encoding a cytokine, the cytokine being one or more selected from IL-7, IL-15, IL-21 or GM-CSF. The recombinant viral vector is useful in preparing an antitumor vaccine.

Provided herein are enhanced systems for potentiating cell-mediated oncolytic viral therapy. Also provided are modified viruses for such systems, and methods of treatment of cancers by administering such systems.

The present invention relates generally to the fields of oncology, virology and immunotherapy. More particularly, it concerns the use of poxviruses, specifically the replication competent attenuated vaccinia virus with deletion of thymidine kinase (VC-TK.sup.−) with and without the expression of human Flt3L or GM-CSF as oncolytic and immunotherapy. The foregoing poxviruses can also be used in combination with immune checkpoint blocking agents. The foregoing poxviruses can also be inactivated via Heat or UV-treatment and the inactivated virus can be used as immunotherapy either alone or in combination with immune checkpoint blocking agents.

Provided herein are enhanced systems for potentiating cell-mediated oncolytic viral therapy. Also provided are modified viruses for such systems, and methods of treatment of cancers by administering such systems.

The present invention relates generally to the fields of oncology, virology and immunotherapy. More particularly, it concerns the use of poxviruses, specifically the replication competent attenuated vaccinia virus with deletion of thymidine kinase (VC-TK.sup.−) with and without the expression of human Flt3L or GM-CSF as oncolytic and immunotherapy. The foregoing poxviruses can also be used in combination with immune checkpoint blocking agents. The foregoing poxviruses can also be inactivated via Heat or UV-treatment and the inactivated virus can be used as immunotherapy either alone or in combination with immune checkpoint blocking agents.