The University of Massachusetts (UMass), through its Office of Grant & Contract Administration, has been awarded a $402,147 Project Grant (R21CA293765) from the National Cancer Institute (CFDA 93.395 - Cancer Treatment Research) to develop a bacterial vector to deliver oncolytic viruses for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. The proposed research aims to utilize genetically-modified Salmonella bacteria to carry and deliver the H-1 parvovirus (H-1PV) into solid tumors, enabling targeted infection and destruction of cancer cells while stimulating an anti-tumor immune response. The project will evaluate the tumor-targeting capabilities, safety, and immune-stimulating effects of this virus-delivering Salmonella vector in mouse models of liver cancer over the 2-year award period from June 2024 to May 2026. This work seeks to address limitations in the delivery of oncolytic viruses to internal solid tumors and leverage the advantages of bacterial vectors to enhance the efficacy of this emerging cancer immunotherapy approach.
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