Abstract: Herein is described oncolytic viruses for use as immunologic adjuvants. There is provided a method of adjuvanting an immune response to an antigenic protein in a mammalian subject by administering the oncolytic virus and at least one antigenic peptide, with the latter not encoded by the former. Without the requirement for the virus to encode the antigenic protein, therapies may be readily personalized or formulated. The virus may be attenuated or inactivated. Prime:boost therapies for tumours are also provided, in which the prime comprises at least one antigenic protein, the boost comprises a virus and at least one antigenic protein, the at least one antigenic protein of the prime and the at least one antigenic protein of the boost are based on the same at least one tumour associated antigen, and the at least one antigenic protein of the boost is not encoded by the virus of the boost.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an oncolytic recombinant Maraba virus whose genome comprises one or more nucleic acid sequences that, in combination, encode an interleukin-12 (IL12) protein or a functional portion thereof. A method for treating a cancer in a patient using the oncolytic recombinant Maraba virus is also disclosed. The present disclosure also provides a tumour cell infected with an oncolytic rhabdovirus whose genome comprises one or more nucleic acid sequences that, in combination, encode an interleukin-12 (IL12) protein or a functional portion thereof, for use as an infected cell vaccine (ICV) for the treatment of a cancer. A method for treating a cancer in a patient using the infected cell vaccine is also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include compositions and methods related to non-VSV rhabdoviruses and their use as anti-cancer therapeutics. Such rhabdoviruses possess tumor cell killing properties in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract: There is described a kit for use in inducing an immune response in a mammal, the kit includes: a first virus that expresses MAGEA3, Human Papilloma Virus E6/E7 fusion protein, human Six-Transmembrane Epithelial Antigen of the Prostate protein, or Cancer Testis Antigen 1, or a variant thereof as an antigenic protein and that is formulated to generate an immunity to the protein or variant thereof in the mammal. The kit also includes a Maraba MG1 virus encoding the same antigen, or a variant of the same antigen. The Maraba MG1 virus is formulated to induce the immune response in the mammal. The first virus is immunologically distinct from the Maraba MG1 virus.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of treating cancer in a mammal is provided. The method comprises administering to the mammal an oncolytic vector that expresses a tumour antigen to which the mammal has a pre-existing immunity. In another aspect, a method of boosting immune response in a mammal having a pre-existing immunity to an antigen is provided comprising intravenous administration to the mammal of a B-cell infecting vector that expresses the antigen.

Abstract: Herein is described oncolytic viruses for use as immunologic adjuvants. There is provided a method of adjuvanting an immune response to an antigenic protein in a mammalian subject by administering the oncolytic virus and at least one antigenic peptide, with the latter not encoded by the former. Without the requirement for the virus to encode the antigenic protein, therapies may be readily personalized or formulated. The virus may be attenuated or inactivated. Prime:boost therapies for tumours are also provided, in which the prime comprises at least one antigenic protein, the boost comprises a virus and at least one antigenic protein, the at least one antigenic protein of the prime and the at least one antigenic protein of the boost are based on the same at least one tumour associated antigen, and the at least one antigenic protein of the boost is not encoded by the virus of the boost.

Abstract: There is described a kit for use in inducing an immune response in a mammal, the kit includes: a first virus that expresses MAGEA3, Human Papilloma Virus E6/E7 fusion protein, human Six-Transmembrane Epithelial Antigen of the Prostate protein, or Cancer Testis Antigen 1, or a variant thereof as an antigenic protein and that is formulated to generate an immunity to the protein or variant thereof in the mammal. The kit also includes a Maraba MG1 virus encoding the same antigen, or a variant of the same antigen. The Maraba MG1 virus is formulated to induce the immune response in the mammal. The first virus is immunologically distinct from the Maraba MG1 virus.

Abstract: There is described a kit for use in inducing an immune response in a mammal, the kit includes: a first virus that expresses MAGEA3, Human Papilloma Virus E6/E7 fusion protein, human Six-Transmembrane Epithelial Antigen of the Prostate protein, or Cancer Testis Antigen 1, or a variant thereof as an antigenic protein and that is formulated to generate an immunity to the protein or variant thereof in the mammal. The kit also includes a Maraba MG1 virus encoding the same antigen, or a variant of the same antigen. The Maraba MG1 virus is formulated to induce the immune response in the mammal. The first virus is immunologically distinct from the Maraba MG1 virus.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides methods for preferentially killing target proliferating cells in a host, such as cancer cells, by infecting host tissues with two or more strains of virus. The strains of virus may be selected to provide a synergistic and symbiotic effect, involving a contemporaneous lytic infection in the target proliferating cells. In selected embodiments, the viruses are selected so that expression of a first virulence factor in proliferating cells infected with the first virus increases the lytic effect of the second virus; and, expression of the second virulence factor in proliferating cells infected with the second virus increases the lytic effect of the first virus. The genomes of the first and second viruses may be selected so that they are incompatible for recombination between the viral genomes in cells of the host.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of enhancing virus replication in permissive cells that express a receptor to FGF2 protein. The method includes administering FGF2 protein or a functional variant thereof and the virus to the permissive cells. An oncolytic virus having a genome that includes an open reading frame that encodes FGF2 protein or a functional variant thereof is also described.

Abstract: There is described a kit for use in inducing an immune response in a mammal, the kit includes: a first virus that expresses MAGEA3, Human Papilloma Virus E6/E7 fusion protein, human Six-Transmembrane Epithelial Antigen of the Prostate protein, or Cancer Testis Antigen 1, or a variant thereof as an antigenic protein and that is formulated to generate an immunity to the protein or variant thereof in the mammal. The kit also includes a Maraba MG1 virus encoding the same antigen, or a variant of the same antigen. The Maraba MG1 virus is formulated to induce the immune response in the mammal. The first virus is immunologically distinct from the Maraba MG1 virus.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include compositions and methods related to non-VSV rhabdoviruses and their use as anti-cancer therapeutics. Such rhabdoviruses possess tumor cell killing properties in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of enhancing virus replication in permissive cells that express a receptor to FGF2 protein. The method includes administering FGF2 protein or a functional variant thereof and the virus to the permissive cells. An oncolytic virus having a genome that includes an open reading frame that encodes FGF2 protein or a functional variant thereof is also described.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include compositions and methods related to Maraba virus and their use as anti-cancer therapeutics. Such rhabdoviruses possess tumor cell killing properties in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract: A vaccination method is provided. The method comprises administering to a mammal a histone deacytelase inhibitor in conjunction with a vaccine that expresses an antigen to which the mammal has a pre-existing immunity.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of treating cancer in a mammal is provided. The method comprises administering to the mammal an oncolytic vector that expresses a tumor antigen to which the mammal has a pre-existing immunity. In another aspect, a method of boosting immune response in a mammal having a pre-existing immunity to an antigen is provided comprising intravenous administration to the mammal of a B-cell infecting vector that expresses the antigen.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include compositions and methods related to non-VSV rhabdoviruses and their use as anti-cancer therapeutics. Such rhabdoviruses possess tumor cell killing properties in vitro and in vivo.