# Breast cancer virotherapy

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO · 2022 · $219,775

## Abstract

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women worldwide.
Despite advances in early detection and treatment, a notable fraction of patients progress
to metastatic disease where no cure exists. Accordingly, there is a pressing need for
effective therapeutic strategies. Breast cancer arises primarily due to genetic or epigenetic
alterations that aberrantly regulate oncogenes, tumor-suppressor genes or immune genes.
While advantageous for cancer cell proliferation or immune-escape, these changes often
make malignant cells vulnerable to attack by oncolytic herpes simplex (HSV). There is
now increased recognition that dynamic virus-host interplay determines the magnitude of
cell destruction or release of immunogenic factors. Preliminary studies suggest that
recombinant HSV that lacks selected gene motifs efficiently replicates in and lyses
cancer cells. Furthermore, it activates dendritic cells that are necessary to mediate
adaptive antitumor immunity. We hypothesize that selectively engineered HSV may
serve as a distinct anticancer platform, which destructs malignant cells meanwhile
primes superior antitumor immunity. With state of the art technology, we will determine
the therapeutic potency of oncolytic HSV in preclinical models. As such, we will
systematically examine the antitumor activities exerted by genetically modified HSV. To
achieve therapeutic synergy, we will integrate cyclic GAMP synthase, a key factor of
innate immunity, into the oncolytic virus backbone. In addition, we will characterize its
oncolytic efficacy in combination with an immune checkpoint blockade. Lastly, we will
investigate the nature by which oncolytic HSV remodels the tumor microenvironment for
antitumor responses. Collectively, these studies may facilitate the development of novel
agents for breast cancer therapy.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10358606
- **Project number:** 5R21CA252027-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO
- **Principal Investigator:** BIN HE
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $219,775
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-04-01 → 2024-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10358606

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10358606, Breast cancer virotherapy (5R21CA252027-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-28 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10358606. Licensed CC0.

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