Oncolytic viruses have proved safe and effective in preclinical testing and are now in clinical trials for patients with a variety of malignant diseases. The current generation of oncolytic herpes simplex viruses (HSVs) was constructed exclusively from type 1 virus (HSV-1) and their tumor selectivity was largely achieved by targeting dividing cells. We recently constructed a novel oncolytic virus from HSV-2 that can selectively replicate in and lyse tumor cells with an activated Ras signaling pathway. Designated FusOn-H2, the mutant virus features multiple antitumor mechanisms, including the induction of cell membrane fusion (syncytia formation) and apoptosis in tumor cells, and thus has potent antitumor activity when tested in different tumor models. Nonetheless, we are well aware of the remaining barriers to successful clinical application of FusOn-H2- mediated virotherapy. For example, the antitumor effect of any oncolytic virus is greatly diminished by the host's innate immunity, which can be instantly activated during virus infection, leading us to suggest that interference with key components of the innate immune system might enhance the oncolytic effects of FusOn- H2. We also hypothesize that the unique oncolytic mechanisms of FusOn- H2 could be exploited in combination regimens with chemotherapy to further potentiate the tumor cell destruction, and that mesenchymal stem cells would function as ideal cell carriers to selectively and repeatedly deliver the oncolytic virus to tumor tissues, even in the presence of active antiviral immunity. We have proposed three specific aims to test these predictions both in vitro and in vivo, with the long-term goal of developing a potent and safe virotherapy that could be translated into a clinically useful strategy in the near future. Successful outcomes of these preclinical studies will have significant implications for the design of future clinical trials of this novel oncolytic virus, as one or more of these enhancement strategies may be implemented to potentiate this virotherapy.

Public Health Relevance

Using viruses to kill tumor cells has shown considerable promise in the laboratory and in early clinical trials. Yet several obstacles must be overcome before this strategy gains acceptance as a safe and potent form of cancer therapy. The applicant has constructed a virus from herpes simplex virus type 2, called FusOn-H2, which has produced encouraging antitumor activity in animal tumor models. He now propose to develop and test different strategies for improving FusOn-H2 virotherapy, with the long-term goal of translating this treatment into a clinically feasible option for patients with malignant sold tumors.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01CA132792-05
Application #
8196839
Study Section
Developmental Therapeutics Study Section (DT)
Program Officer
Welch, Anthony R
Project Start
2008-12-01
Project End
2013-11-30
Budget Start
2011-12-01
Budget End
2012-11-30
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$301,913
Indirect Cost
$100,638
Name
University of Houston
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
036837920
City
Houston
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
77204
Fu, Xinping; Rivera, Armando; Tao, Lihua et al. (2015) An HSV-2 based oncolytic virus can function as an attractant to guide migration of adoptively transferred T cells to tumor sites. Oncotarget 6:902-14
Loya, S M W; Zhang, X (2015) Enhancing the bystander killing effect of an oncolytic HSV by arming it with a secretable apoptosis activator. Gene Ther 22:237-46
Anthony, Kim; More, Abhijit; Zhang, Xiaoliu (2014) Activation of silenced cytokine gene promoters by the synergistic effect of TBP-TALE and VP64-TALE activators. PLoS One 9:e95790
Rote, Sunshine M; Brown, Robyn Lewis (2013) Gender differences in alcohol and drug use among Hispanic adults: the influence of family processes and acculturation. J Addict Dis 32:354-64
Fu, Xinping; Rivera, Armando; Tao, Lihua et al. (2013) Genetically modified T cells targeting neovasculature efficiently destroy tumor blood vessels, shrink established solid tumors and increase nanoparticle delivery. Int J Cancer 133:2483-92
Fu, Xinping; Rivera, Armando; Tao, Lihua et al. (2012) Incorporation of the B18R gene of vaccinia virus into an oncolytic herpes simplex virus improves antitumor activity. Mol Ther 20:1871-81
Fu, Xinping; Rivera, Armando; Tao, Lihua et al. (2012) Construction of an oncolytic herpes simplex virus that precisely targets hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Mol Ther 20:339-46
Fu, X; Tao, L; Rivera, A et al. (2011) Virotherapy induces massive infiltration of neutrophils in a subset of tumors defined by a strong endogenous interferon response activity. Cancer Gene Ther 18:785-94
Fu, Xinping; Tao, Lihua; Rivera, Armando et al. (2011) Rapamycin enhances the activity of oncolytic herpes simplex virus against tumor cells that are resistant to virus replication. Int J Cancer 129:1503-10
Fu, Xinping; Tao, Lihua; Rivera, Armando et al. (2010) A simple and sensitive method for measuring tumor-specific T cell cytotoxicity. PLoS One 5:e11867