Recombinant oncolytic viruses for expression of sialidase and their use in the treatment of cancer, particularly solid tumors, are described.

The present disclosure relates to methods of targeting specific cell types within the retina using optimized gene therapy vectors. In particular, the disclosure provides gene therapy vectors to specifically target retinal cells and methods of treating visual impairment, retinal degeneration and vision-related disorders such as CLN disease.

The present invention teaches a system and method for identifying, targeting and destroying cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. This invention uses a vector engineered virus to selectively seek out cells that are both hotter than normal with a pH factor that is lower than normal thereby identifying cells that are cancerous regardless of location. Cancer succeeds for two reasons: i) rapid growth and ii) failure of the body's immune system to recognize the aberrant cells. This novel approach of using a dual vectored virus creates a dominant preference for locating and attaching to cancer cells, eliminating the need for chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and most major surgeries.

Provided are: a pharmaceutical composition for curing, treating, or preventing a disease involving a biological mechanism controlled by a dendritic cell immunoreceptor, in which the pharmaceutical composition contains a carbohydrate modifying enzyme as an active ingredient; and a method of curing, treating, or preventing a disease involving a biological mechanism controlled by a dendritic cell immunoreceptor.

The present disclosure relates to methods of targeting specific cell types within the retina using optimized gene therapy vectors in combination with a glycoside hydrolase enzyme, such as neuraminidase. In particular, the disclosure provides gene therapy vectors administered with a glycoside hydrolase enzyme to specifically target retinal cells and methods of treating visual impairment, retinal degeneration and vision-related disorders.

In various aspects, the invention relates to immune tolerant glycosidase therapy. The invention provides methods for treating or preventing infectious disease, including chronic viral infections, and highly contagious infectious agents that present an ongoing challenge for the immune system. The compositions and treatment regimens find use with other antiviral or antimicrobial therapies, as well as in conjunction with vaccination to boost effectiveness and/or extend the duration of protective effect. In certain embodiments, the regimen described herein reduces or eliminates the need for administration of other traditional antiviral or antimicrobial therapies. In various embodiments, the invention finds use in immunocompromised patients to boost immune function.

Provided are: a pharmaceutical composition for curing, treating, or preventing a disease involving a biological mechanism controlled by a dendritic cell immunoreceptor, in which the pharmaceutical composition contains a carbohydrate modifying enzyme as an active ingredient; and a method of curing, treating, or preventing a disease involving a biological mechanism controlled by a dendritic cell immunoreceptor.

In various aspects, the invention relates to immune tolerant glycosidase therapy. The invention provides methods for treating or preventing infectious disease, including chronic viral infections, and highly contagious infectious agents that present an ongoing challenge for the immune system. The compositions and treatment regimens find use with other antiviral or antimicrobial therapies, as well as in conjunction with vaccination to boost effectiveness and/or extend the duration of protective effect. In certain embodiments, the regimen described herein reduces or eliminates the need for administration of other traditional antiviral or antimicrobial therapies. In various embodiments, the invention finds use in immunocompromised patients to boost immune function.

In various aspects, the invention relates to immune tolerant glycosidase therapy. The invention provides methods for treating or preventing infectious disease, including chronic viral infections, and highly contagious infectious agents that present an ongoing challenge for the immune system. The compositions and treatment regimens find use with other antiviral or antimicrobial therapies, as well as in conjunction with vaccination to boost effectiveness and/or extend the duration of protective effect. In certain embodiments, the regimen described herein reduces or eliminates the need for administration of other traditional antiviral or antimicrobial therapies. In various embodiments, the invention finds use in immunocompromised patients to boost immune function.

The invention provides manipulated adenovirus, i.e. a viral particle based on a manipulated adenovirus, for use as a medicament, especially for use in the treatment of tumours. The viral particle of the invention has the advantage of having a preference or specificity for tumour cells, yielding a preferred infection of tumour cells. The viral particle is based on adenovirus, especially type C, preferably serotype 2 (Ad2), more preferably serotype 5 (Ad5), in which the native entire fiber protein, and its coding sequence, respectively, is deleted and replaced by a fusion protein providing specificity for cell surface bound polysialic acid.