Boosting the immune attack on glioblastoma using engineered herpes viruses carrying cetuximab‑CCL5 and anti‑CD47
Project 4: Awakening immune responses to GBM by enhancing immune cell trafficking and activation with oHSV armed with Cetuximab-CCL5 and anti-CD47 antibody payloads.
Engineered herpes viruses that carry immune‑boosting proteins aim to help people with glioblastoma by attracting immune cells into tumors and blocking signals that stop the immune system from eating cancer cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11181517 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are modifying a herpes simplex virus so it preferentially grows in glioblastoma cells and releases two immune‑modulating payloads: a cetuximab‑CCL5 fusion to draw in and activate immune cells, and an anti‑CD47 antibody to remove a tumor "don't‑eat‑me" signal. They will test each armed virus alone and in combination to see whether they increase immune infiltration and anti‑tumor activity in preclinical models and link those findings to clinical efforts in the program. The work aims to convert the tumor environment from immune‑cold to immune‑hot so a patient’s own immune cells can better attack the tumor. Safety of similar oncolytic HSVs has been shown in patients, and these new versions are designed to boost efficacy while limiting harm to normal brain tissue.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with glioblastoma—particularly those with recurrent or treatment‑resistant tumors who can undergo intratumoral or specialized virotherapy procedures—would be the most likely candidates.
Not a fit: People with other types of brain tumors, severe immune suppression, uncontrolled infections, or unstable neurological conditions may not benefit or be eligible for this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could improve the immune control of glioblastoma, potentially shrinking tumors or extending survival with manageable side effects.
How similar studies have performed: Oncolytic HSV therapies have demonstrated safety in patients and early trials linked immune‑inflamed tumors to better outcomes, but these specific armed viruses are novel and their efficacy in humans is not yet proven.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Brigham and Women's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Caligiuri, Michael a — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Caligiuri, Michael a
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.