Preclinical therapy of disseminated HER-2⁺ ovarian and breast carcinomas with a HER-2-retargeted oncolytic herpesvirus

PLoS Pathog. 2013 Jan;9(1):e1003155. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1003155. Epub 2013 Jan 31.

Abstract

Oncolytic viruses aim to specifically kill tumor cells. A major challenge is the effective targeting of disseminated tumors in vivo. We retargeted herpes simplex virus (HSV) tropism to HER-2 oncoprotein p185, overexpressed in ovary and breast cancers. The HER-2-retargeted R-LM249 exclusively infects and kills tumor cells expressing high levels of human HER-2. Here, we assessed the efficacy of systemically i.p. delivered R-LM249 against disseminated tumors in mouse models that recapitulate tumor spread to the peritoneum in women. The human ovarian carcinoma SK-OV-3 cells implanted intraperitoneally (i.p.) in immunodeficient Rag2⁻/⁻;Il2rg⁻/⁻ mice gave rise to a progressive peritoneal carcinomatosis which mimics the fatal condition in advanced human patients. I.p. administration of R-LM249 strongly inhibited carcinomatosis, resulting in 60% of mice free from peritoneal diffusion, and 95% reduction in the total weight of neoplastic nodules. Intraperitoneal metastases are a common outcome in breast cancer: i.p. administration of R-LM249 strongly inhibited the growth of ovarian metastases of HER-2+ MDA-MB-453 breast cells. Brain metastases were also reduced. Cumulatively, upon i.p. administration the HER-2-redirected oncolytic HSV effectively reduced the growth of ovarian and breast carcinoma disseminated to the peritoneal cavity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / mortality
  • Breast Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
  • Female
  • Genetic Therapy / methods
  • Genetic Vectors / genetics
  • Genetic Vectors / metabolism
  • Herpesvirus 1, Human / genetics*
  • Herpesvirus 1, Human / physiology
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Oncolytic Virotherapy / methods*
  • Oncolytic Viruses / genetics*
  • Oncolytic Viruses / metabolism
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / mortality
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / mortality
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / secondary
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / genetics
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / metabolism
  • Survival Rate
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • ERBB2 protein, human
  • Receptor, ErbB-2