Virus-boosted immunotherapy for advanced liver cancer
Project 3
Looks at whether adding a cancer-killing virus to immunotherapy and anti-VEGF treatment can help people with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have progressed after first-line therapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11178603 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project focuses on advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that has progressed after first-line immune checkpoint and anti-VEGF therapy. Researchers are combining an oncolytic virus (VSV engineered to make interferon-beta) with PD-L1 blockade and anti-VEGF approaches to inflame cold liver tumors and improve immune attack. The team has completed an early Phase I first-in-human trial of VSV-IFNβ and used mouse models to study interactions with checkpoint blockade, and now aims to identify combinations that preserve immune benefit. If eligible, patients may be considered for related trials or treatments at Mayo Clinic Rochester.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma who progressed on first-line atezolizumab plus bevacizumab or similar PD-L1/VEGF regimens and who meet liver function and safety criteria for experimental therapy.
Not a fit: People with early-stage HCC, decompensated liver disease, uncontrolled active infections, or who cannot tolerate viral or immune-based therapies are unlikely to be eligible or benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could increase tumor responses and survival for people with advanced HCC who no longer respond to current immunotherapy combinations.
How similar studies have performed: Early-phase human testing of VSV-IFNβ and preclinical mouse studies have shown promising immune activation, but combining oncolytic viruses with checkpoint inhibitors in HCC remains experimental and not yet proven to improve long-term survival.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- Mayo Clinic Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vile, Richard G. — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Vile, Richard G.
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.