Multi-attenuated herpes simplex virus-1 mutant G207 exerts cytotoxicity against epithelial ovarian cancer but not normal mesothelium and is suitable for intraperitoneal oncolytic therapy

Cancer Gene Ther. 2000 Feb;7(2):275-83. doi: 10.1038/sj.cgt.7700130.

Abstract

Recombinant strains of herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) harboring mutations in the infected cell product (ICP)34.5 region lose their neurovirulence and replicate more efficiently in dividing tumor cells than stationary cells, becoming replication-selective oncolytic agents. Additional mutation of the ICP6 gene, which encodes ribonucleotide reductase, further impairs the ability of HSV-1 mutants to replicate in normal cells, enhancing tumor selectivity. The present study investigated the effect of HSV-G207, a recombinant HSV-1 lacking ICP34.5 and ICP6, against epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) in vitro and in vivo in a mouse xenograft model. To assess the selectivity of multimutated HSV-G207 against malignant cells, HSV-G207 and wild-type HSV-F were comparatively tested against normal human peritoneal mesothelial cells and EOC cells in vitro. HSV-G207 infected both EOC cells and mesothelial cells; however, unlike EOC cells, mesothelial cells provided a poor substrate for replication of HSV-G207. In contrast to wild-type HSV-F, HSV-G207 exerted a potent oncolytic effect on EOC cells but spared normal mesothelial cells in vitro. Primary EOC cells were more sensitive to the virus than established EOC cell lines. A single intraperitoneal injection of HSV-G207 resulted in a significant reduction in tumor volume and tumor spread in vivo. HSV-G207 was shown to penetrate deeply within tumor nodules and caused no apparent intraperitoneal toxicity. Oncolytic therapy with multimutated replication-restricted HSV may offer a novel approach in the treatment of EOC.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carcinoma / pathology
  • Carcinoma / therapy
  • Carcinoma / virology*
  • Cell Transformation, Viral / genetics
  • DNA, Recombinant / genetics
  • DNA, Recombinant / metabolism
  • DNA, Recombinant / therapeutic use
  • DNA, Viral / genetics
  • DNA, Viral / metabolism
  • DNA, Viral / therapeutic use
  • Epithelium / virology
  • Female
  • Herpesvirus 1, Human / genetics*
  • Herpesvirus 1, Human / pathogenicity*
  • Herpesvirus 1, Human / physiology
  • Humans
  • Infusions, Parenteral
  • Mice
  • Mice, SCID
  • Mutation / genetics*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / pathology
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / therapy
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / virology*
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Virulence
  • Virus Replication / genetics

Substances

  • DNA, Recombinant
  • DNA, Viral