# Project 1: Optimizing a VSV-based virotherapy-based regimen for advanced MM

> **NIH NIH P50** · MAYO CLINIC ARIZONA · 2021 · $296,745

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Oncolytic virotherapy is a two-stage therapy. In the oncolytic phase (short-lived) the infection spreads in the
tumor, killing infected cells and inflaming the microenvironment. In the immune phase (prolonged) priming and
amplification of tumor-specific cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) by inflammatory mediators and phagocytosed debris
from dead or dying tumor cells leads to killing of uninfected tumor cells. VSV-IFNβ-NIS is a fast-replicating
oncolytic Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV) that causes inflammatory tumor cell killing. During the first Myeloma
SPORE funding period, we launched an investigator initiated first-in-human study of single dose, single agent
intravenous (IV) VSV-IFNβ-NIS in patients with hematological malignancies. There is good tolerability and
encouraging signs of antitumor activity. Extensive correlative analyses have been conducted to characterize
the kinetics of the antitumor immune responses, and their relationship to patient-specific baseline parameters.
During the second Myeloma SPORE funding period we seek to maximize the potency of intravenous
VSVIFNβ-NIS therapy by combining (i) repeat virus administration, (ii) early suppression of the antiviral
immune response, and (iii) late boosting of antimyeloma T cells by using a combination of immune suppression
and immune activating regimens with the overall goal to achieve a durable response using VSV virotherapy in
patients with multiple myeloma.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10270455
- **Project number:** 2P50CA186781-06A1
- **Recipient organization:** MAYO CLINIC ARIZONA
- **Principal Investigator:** MARTHA Q LACY
- **Activity code:** P50 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $296,745
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2015-09-01 → 2026-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10270455

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10270455, Project 1: Optimizing a VSV-based virotherapy-based regimen for advanced MM (2P50CA186781-06A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10270455. Licensed CC0.

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