INTRODUCTION: Synovial Sarcoma (SS) and Myxoid Round Cell Liposarcoma (MRCL) are 
devastating sarcoma subtypes with few treatment options and poor outcomes in the 
advanced setting. However, both these diseases may be ideal for novel 
immunotherapies targeting the cancer-testis antigen, NY-ESO-1.
AREAS COVERED: In this review, we discuss the novel NY-ESO-1 targeted vaccine 
regimen, CMB305. This regimen uses a unique integration-deficient, 
dendritic-cell targeting lentiviral vector from the ZVex® platform, LV305, in 
order to prime NY-ESO-1 specific T cells. LV305 has single agent activity, and, 
in one case, caused a durable partial response in a refractory SS patient. 
CMB305 also includes a boost from a NY-ESO-1 protein vaccine given along with a 
potent toll-like-4 receptor agonist, glycopyranosyl lipid A. CMB305 induces 
NY-ESO-1 specific T cell responses in both SS and MRC patients and these 
patients had excellent overall survival (OS) outcomes in the initial phase I 
study.
EXPERT COMMENTARY: CMB305 is a therapeutic vaccine regimen targeting NY-ESO-1 
based on the lentiviral vaccine vector, LV305. Phase I studies have proven this 
vaccine is active immunologically. Data suggesting this vaccine may improve OS 
for SS and MRCL patients is exciting but early, and on-going work is testing the 
impact of CMB305 on patient outcomes.