Coated oncolytic viruses based "double strike" strategy triggering CD19 CAR-T therapy in gastrointestinal tumors

Haoyu Zhang1, Keyi Wen2, Tao Liu1

  • 1Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, PR China.

Biomaterials
|March 28, 2026
PubMed

Insights

A novel oncolytic adenovirus system (Epv@CMP) creates artificial tumor targets and enhances the tumor immune microenvironment. Combined with CAR-T cell therapy, it shows potent tumor eradication in preclinical models.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunotherapy
  • Virology

Background:

  • Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy faces challenges in solid tumors due to limited stable antigen targets.
  • The tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) is often immunosuppressive, hindering effective anti-cancer responses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop an integrated system (Epv@CMP) for enhancing CAR-T cell therapy in solid tumors.
  • To introduce artificial antigen targets and remodel the TIME using an oncolytic adenovirus (OVs).

Main Methods:

  • Engineered an oncolytic lentivirus (Epv@CMP) to express a bispecific T cell engager (αCD3e-αEpCAM) and anchor CD19 on tumor cells.
  • Utilized B cell membrane-derived CD19 as an artificial surface antigen target.
  • Evaluated Epv@CMP alone and in combination with CD19 CAR-T cells in colorectal and gastric cancer models.

Main Results:

  • Epv@CMP demonstrated efficient tumor-specific delivery, viral replication, and tumor regression in vivo.
  • Successful anchoring of CD19 on tumor cells was confirmed.
  • The combination of Epv@CMP and CD19 CAR-T cells achieved potent tumor elimination and immune activation in mouse models.

Conclusions:

  • Epv@CMP represents a novel synergistic strategy integrating oncolytic virotherapy with CAR-T cell immunotherapy.
  • This approach enhances CAR-T cell efficacy by providing a target and remodeling the immunosuppressive TIME.
  • The system shows significant potential for potent tumor eradication and immune activation in solid tumors.

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