Recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus targeted to Her2/neu combined with anti-CTLA4 antibody eliminates implanted mammary tumors

Cancer Gene Ther. 2009 Jan;16(1):44-52. doi: 10.1038/cgt.2008.55. Epub 2008 Jul 25.

Abstract

Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is being developed for cancer therapy. We created a recombinant replicating VSV (rrVSV) that preferentially infected Her2/neu expressing breast cancer cells. We now used this rrVSV to treat macroscopic peritoneal tumor implants of a mouse mammary tumor cell line stably transfected to express Her2/neu. rrVSV therapy alone prolonged survival but did not cure any animals. rrVSV therapy combined with antibody to TGFb or antibody to IL-10 receptor (IL-10R) each produced cure in one of six animals. Strikingly, rrVSV therapy combined with anti-CTLA4 monoclonal antibody (MAb) produced cure in four of five animals. Anti-CTLA4 MAb was only effective when administered within one day of rrVSV therapy. Cure required CD4 T-cells early (<7 days) and late (>7 days) after rrVSV therapy whereas CD8 T-cells were required only late (>7 days) after rrVSV therapy. Surviving animals were resistant to re-challenge with D2F2/E2 suggesting a memory immune response. Histopathologic analysis demonstrated a dense inflammatory infiltrate of tumor nodules within days of therapy and foamy histiocytes replacing the tumor nodules 2 weeks following therapy. These studies demonstrate that targeted rrVSV combined with anti-CTLA4 MAb can eliminate established macroscopic tumor implants by eliciting an anti-tumor CD4 and CD8 T-cell immunologic response.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology*
  • Antigens, CD / immunology*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • CTLA-4 Antigen
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Memory* / drug effects
  • Inflammation / genetics
  • Inflammation / immunology
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / genetics
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / immunology
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / metabolism
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / pathology
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / therapy*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / biosynthesis
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / immunology*
  • Time Factors
  • Transfection
  • Vesiculovirus*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens, CD
  • CTLA-4 Antigen
  • CTLA4 protein, human
  • Ctla4 protein, mouse
  • Receptor, ErbB-2