The present invention relates to the field of oncolytic viruses and in particular to a recombinant rhabdovirus, such as vesicular stomatitis virus encoding in its genome for a CCL21 protein. The invention is further directed to the use of the recombinant virus in the treatment of cancer, and also to methods for producing such viruses.

Provided herein are methods for enhancing infection, growth, spread, or titer of an oncolytic RNA virus in a cancer or tumor cell; enhancing the oncolytic activity, cytokine-induced cell death activity, and/or cytotoxic activity of an oncolytic RNA virus in a cancer or tumor cell; upregulating cytokine response to, and/or enhancing the immunotherapeutic activity of an oncolytic RNA virus in a cancer or tumor cell; and/or treating a tumor or cancer in a subject in need thereof. Such methods employ a vanadium-containing compound, administered to the cancer or tumor cells before, after, or concurrently with infection of the cancer or tumor cells with the oncolytic RNA virus. Related compositions, uses, and kits therefor are also provided. Methods for producing RNA viruses, RNA virus-based cancer vaccines, and RNA virus-based cancer gene therapy vectors are also provided.

The disclosure provides recombinant vesicular stomatitis vims (VSV) particles, wherein the VSV glycoprotein (G) is replaced by a coronavirus spike (S) glycoprotein, or a fragment or a derivative thereof, as well as compositions, vaccines, kits, and methods for using the recombinant VSV particles. In a specific embodiment, the S glycoprotein is derived from Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the methods are for the treatment or prevention of a disease or disorder in a subject infected with SARS-CoV-2. In certain embodiments, the disease or disorder is COVID-19.

A recombinant vesicular stomatitis vims (rVSV) carrying at least one gene that encodes for a MERS-CoV structural protein or modifications thereof. Vaccines or immunogenic compositions against MERS-CoV, and prime boost immunization platforms a prime boost immunization combination against MERS-CoV including: (a) a prime vaccine or immunogenic composition comprising a rVSV carrying at least one gene that encodes for a MERS-CoV structural protein or modifications thereof, and (b) a boost vaccine or immunogenic composition comprising a rVSV carrying the same at least one gene that encodes for a MERS-CoV structural protein or modifications thereof. The at least one gene can be genetically modified to encode a modified MERS-CoV structural protein that elevates glycoprotein synthesis and trigger efficient humoral immune response.

The present invention relates to a method for rescue of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV) from DNA in a HEK293 cell line or a HEK293 cell line adapted to suspension growth comprising (a) providing cells from a HEK293 cell line or a HEK293 cell line adapted to suspension growth in cell culture, (b) transfecting the cells with at least one plasmid, wherein the at least one plasmid comprises (i) an expression cassette comprising a VSV genomic cDNA; (ii) at least one expression cassette encoding VSV nucleoprotein (N) protein, VSV phosphoprotein (P) protein, and VSV large (L) protein; and (iii) an expression cassette encoding SV40 Large T antigen; (c) culturing the transfected cells; and (d) harvesting the cell culture supernatant comprising the rescued VSV. Also provided is the use of a HEK293 cell line or a HEK293 cell line adapted to suspension growth for rescue of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV) or the use of a plasmid encoding SV40 Large T antigen for rescue of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV) in a HEK293 cell line or a HEK293 cell line adapted to suspension growth HEK293-F cells by means of transient transfection.

The present relation relates to recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus for use as prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines as well as the preparation and purification of immunogenic compositions which are formulated into the vaccines of the present invention.

The present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules comprising viral genes or derivatives thereof for use in the production of retroviral packaging vectors, and retroviral packaging and producer cell lines. In one embodiment, the nucleic acid molecules comprise env and gag-pol genes wherein the coding sequences of the env and gag-pol genes are in opposing orientations.

The present application relates to an attenuated oncolytic virus strain, an oncolytic virus vaccine and a drug for treating tumors by combining the oncolytic virus vaccine with immune cells. The present application provides a new attenuated oncolytic virus strain by a site-directed mutation of a matrix protein M of a VSV wild-type virus. On the basis of the attenuated oncolytic virus strain, the present application further provides a vaccine that can be used in tumor treatment. On the basis of the vaccine, the present application further provide a drug that can effectively treat multiple kinds of tumors by combining the vaccine with immune cells.

This document provides methods and materials related to vesicular stomatitis viruses. For example, replication-competent vesicular stomatitis viruses, nucleic acid molecules encoding replication-competent vesicular stomatitis viruses, methods for making replication-competent vesicular stomatitis viruses, and methods for using replication-competent vesicular stomatitis viruses to treat cancer or infectious diseases are provided.

The present invention relates to the field of upstream and downstream processing and provides a process for producing a purified rhabdovirus from a cell culture, preferably a purified oncolytic rhabdovirus and in particular a vesicular stomatitis virus, including pharmaceutical compositions comprising the rhabdovirus.