Immune effector cells pre-infected with oncolytic virus

Abstract

Compositions and methods are provided for the treatment of cancer. An immune effector cell population is pre-infected with an oncolytic virus. The combined therapeutic is safe and highly effective, producing an enhanced anti-tumor effect compared to either therapy alone. The methods of the invention thus provide for a synergistic effect based on the combined biotherapeutics.

1 . An isolated mammalian immune effector cell population, infected with an oncolytic virus.  
   
   
       2 . The cell population according to  claim 1 , wherein said cell population is human.  
   
   
       3 . The cell population according to  claim 1 , wherein said immune effector cell is a T cell and/or natural killer cell.  
   
   
       4 . The cell population according to  claim 1 , wherein said immune effector cells are expanded in in vitro culture.  
   
   
       5 . The cell population according to  claim 4 , wherein said effector cell is a cytokine induced killer (CIK) cell.  
   
   
       6 . The cell population according to  claim 3 , wherein said oncolytic virus is a vaccinia virus.  
   
   
       7 . The cell population according to  claim 6 , wherein said vaccinia virus comprises a mutation in the viral thymidine kinase gene.  
   
   
       8 . The cell population according to  claim 6 , wherein said vaccinia virus comprises a mutation in the viral growth factor (VGF) gene.  
   
   
       9 . The cell population according to  claim 1 , wherein said replication of said oncolytic virus is in an eclipse phase.  
   
   
       10 . The cell population according to  claim 1 , further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.  
   
   
       11 . A method of treating cancer in a patient, the method comprising: 
 administering to a cancer patient an effective amount of a mammalian immune effector cell population infected with an oncolytic virus.    
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein said cell population is human.  
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein said immune effector cell is a T cell and/or natural killer cell.  
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein said immune effector cells are expanded in in vitro culture.  
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein said effector cell is a cytokine induced killer (CIK) cell.  
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein said oncolytic virus is a vaccinia virus.  
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein said vaccinia virus comprises a mutation in the viral thymidine kinase gene.  
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein said vaccinia virus comprises a mutation in the viral growth factor (VGF) gene.  
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein said administering is performed when replication of said oncolytic virus is in an eclipse phase.