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Work | Tumor Initiating Cells

Oncolytic Virus Program

A Phase I Clinical Trial Using an Oncolytic Virus Called Vaccinia For Neuroblastoma and Other Pediatric Solid Tumors

The same viruses that have plagued us with diseases like influenza and chicken pox could potentially make survivorship possible for some of the deadliest forms of childhood cancer. This phenomenon has been observed since the late 1800s where cases of people’s cancers diminished after naturally contracting certain viruses.

In the last few decades, scientists have learned how to manufacture and genetically manipulate viruses to attack cancer cells without making the individual sick with viral disease. This breakthrough has only recently been introduced into clinical trials for adults with cancer. SKC in partnership with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, and Jennerex Biotherapeutics is introducing the first clinical trial using the oncolytic vaccinia virus for children with cancer in the U.S.

The trial employs a virus that has shown strong preclinical evidence in neuroblastoma and sarcomas. This virus was engineered from the strain of vaccinia virus that is the basis for the vaccine that has been used in hundreds of millions of people in vaccination against smallpox. The vaccinia virus has been engineered to target, attack, and eradicate cancer without harming the surrounding cells.

The virus is activated by genetic pathways that are critical to the vast majority of human cancers, including common solid tumors such as lung, colon, prostate, breast, pancreas and melanoma. The virus employs a novel primary mechanism of action that is effective even against cancers that are resistant to standard therapies such as chemotherapy, small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors, antibodies, and radiotherapy. It is designed to destroy both injected and non-injected metastatic tumors creating a targeted and multi-pronged attack against neuroblastoma and other solid tumors.

This Phase 1 study has been funded in part by generous individuals. We are grateful for their support.

Benefactor

Debra Ashkenazy ($41,000)

Maze Master ($25,000 sponsors)

Carl & Katia George

Puzzle Champ ($10,000 sponsors)

Chris Jonns

Genevieve Lynch

Mark Mallon

Donna Karan Weiss ($11,000)

Solver ($5,000 sponsors)

Christopher & Melissa Casey

John Codling ($7,000)

Alexandra Franco/Russell James

John & Stacey Giordano

Stephen Logan

Edward Razek

Challenger ($1,000 sponsors)

Rob Adler

Marc Agnifilo

Amy Brownstein ($500)

Richard Brusselback

Patti Cohen

Rachel Dalton

Brian D'Ambrosio

Alexander Dexter-Jones

David Dushey

Yan & Polina Erlikh

Bonnie Pfeifer Evans

Joseph & Linette Genovese

Bret Jacknow

James Jordan, Jr.

Jackie Kern

Aliza Licht

Steve & Amy Lipin

Micha Magid

Vincent Martorana

P. McCarthy

Kyle J. Mumford

Louis Satenstein

Steven Shapiro

Betty Sitt

Howard Sobel, MD

Brett Spector

Bonnie Young