We have developed genetically engineered herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) vectors that can selectively and efficiently infect and kill brain tumor cells in situ without harming surrounding brain cells and without causing systemic disease. Having taken one such vector into human clinical trial, we are currently planning a second trial based on our recently published data demonstrating that cancer cell DNA repair pathways can be used in conjunction with specific HSV gene mutations and chemotherapeutics to increase the efficacy of herpes oncolytic viral therapy for brain tumor therapy. The current grant proposal both builds upon the findings of the past grant period as well as explores other cancer cell mechanisms that also may be utilized in conjunction with appropriate Pharmaceuticals to improve oncolytic viral efficacy. In order to increase the efficacy of HSV oncolysis in brain tumor therapy, we hypothesize that: 1: HSV vectors directly expressing GADD34 or indirectly inducing GADD34 expression will have increased efficacy in tumor cells. We will create vectors expressing GADD34 as well as vectors containing transgenes that may act as regulators of GADD34. 2: The efficacy of oncolytic HSV therapy can be increased by combination with chemotherapeutic drugs inhibiting topoisomerases or microtubules. Both of these classes of drugs interact with the virus and the tumor cells and may be avenues for novel therapeutic synergy. 3. Targeting the tumor vasculature using """"""""armed"""""""" anti-angiogenic oncolytic HSV vectors in conjunction with appropriate Pharmaceuticals will further improve therapeutic efficacy. We have demonstrated that a combined attack on both the tumor cells and the tumor vasculature can increase anti-tumor efficacy. We have already created several HSV vectors expressing anti-angiogenic genes. We have also developed a rapid method for vector creation to allow for the testing of additional anti-angiogenic genes. Additional """"""""armed"""""""" vectors will be created and we will test their efficacy in vitro and animal brain tumor models. Additionally, we will investigate the interactions of HSV with anti-angiogenic Pharmaceuticals with our vectors. Upon completion of this proposal, we anticipate that one or more of these strategies will be in a position to be translated into a clinical trial for the therapy of malignant glioma.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS032677-18
Application #
7807890
Study Section
Clinical Neuroimmunology and Brain Tumors Study Section (CNBT)
Program Officer
Fountain, Jane W
Project Start
1994-05-01
Project End
2012-03-31
Budget Start
2010-04-01
Budget End
2011-03-31
Support Year
18
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$372,488
Indirect Cost
Name
Massachusetts General Hospital
Department
Type
DUNS #
073130411
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02199
Saha, Dipongkor; Wakimoto, Hiroaki; Peters, Cole W et al. (2018) Combinatorial Effects of VEGFR Kinase Inhibitor Axitinib and Oncolytic Virotherapy in Mouse and Human Glioblastoma Stem-Like Cell Models. Clin Cancer Res 24:3409-3422
Saha, Dipongkor; Martuza, Robert L; Rabkin, Samuel D (2018) Oncolytic herpes simplex virus immunovirotherapy in combination with immune checkpoint blockade to treat glioblastoma. Immunotherapy 10:779-786
Chongsathidkiet, Pakawat; Jackson, Christina; Koyama, Shohei et al. (2018) Sequestration of T cells in bone marrow in the setting of glioblastoma and other intracranial tumors. Nat Med 24:1459-1468
Saha, Dipongkor; Martuza, Robert L; Rabkin, Samuel D (2017) Macrophage Polarization Contributes to Glioblastoma Eradication by Combination Immunovirotherapy and Immune Checkpoint Blockade. Cancer Cell 32:253-267.e5
Esaki, Shinichi; Nigim, Fares; Moon, Esther et al. (2017) Blockade of transforming growth factor-? signaling enhances oncolytic herpes simplex virus efficacy in patient-derived recurrent glioblastoma models. Int J Cancer 141:2348-2358
Nigim, Fares; Esaki, Shin-Ichi; Hood, Michael et al. (2016) A new patient-derived orthotopic malignant meningioma model treated with oncolytic herpes simplex virus. Neuro Oncol 18:1278-87
Esaki, Shinichi; Rabkin, Samuel D; Martuza, Robert L et al. (2016) Transient fasting enhances replication of oncolytic herpes simplex virus in glioblastoma. Am J Cancer Res 6:300-11
Marciscano, Ariel E; Stemmer-Rachamimov, Anat O; Niemierko, Andrzej et al. (2016) Benign meningiomas (WHO Grade I) with atypical histological features: correlation of histopathological features with clinical outcomes. J Neurosurg 124:106-14
Lu, Lei; Saha, Dipongkor; Martuza, Robert L et al. (2015) Single agent efficacy of the VEGFR kinase inhibitor axitinib in preclinical models of glioblastoma. J Neurooncol 121:91-100
Nigim, Fares; Cavanaugh, Jill; Patel, Anoop P et al. (2015) Targeting Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1? in a New Orthotopic Model of Glioblastoma Recapitulating the Hypoxic Tumor Microenvironment. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 74:710-22

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