TreatmentGene Therapy


PNAS, August 22, 2006, vol. 103, no. 34, 12873-12878; Published online before print August 14, 2006, 10.1073/pnas.0605496103


Abstract

Cyclophosphamide enhances glioma virotherapy by inhibiting innate immune responses

Giulia Fulci1,2, Laura Breymann2, Davide Gianni2, Kazuhiko Kurozomi1, Sarah S. Rhee3, Jianhua Yu5, Balveen Kaur1, David N. Louis4, Ralph Weissleder3, Michael A. Caligiuri5, and E. Antonio Chiocca1,2,5,*

1Dardinger Center for Neuro-Oncology and Neurosciences, Department of Neurological Surgery, James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210; 2Molecular Neuro-Oncology Laboratories, Neurosurgery Service, 3Center for Molecular Imaging Research, and 4Pathology Service, Massachusetts General Hospital, East Building, 13th Street, Charlestown, MA 02129; and 5Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH 43210 -- *To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Dardinger Center for Neuro-Oncology and Neurosciences, Department of Neurological Surgery, Ohio State University Medical Center, N-1017 Doan Hall, 410 West 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210. E-mail: ea.chiocca@osumc.edu. -- Communicated by Avner Friedman, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, July 4, 2006 (received for review March 3, 2006). -- Author contributions: G.F. and E.A.C. designed research; G.F., L.B., D.G., K.K., S.S.R., J.Y., and B.K. performed research; D.N.L., R.W., and M.A.C. contributed new reagents/analytic tools; G.F. analyzed data; and G.F. and E.A.C. wrote the paper. -- Conflict of interest statement: No conflicts declared.


Clinical trials are testing oncolytic viruses (OVs) as therapies for cancer. 
We have shown that animals that have brain tumors and are treated with a herpes simplex virus (HSV)-derived OV live significantly longer when cyclophosphamide (CPA) is preadministered. 
Here, we explore the mechanisms behind this finding. 
In a syngeneic rat glioma model, intratumoral HSV administration is associated with rapid increase of natural killer cells, microglia/macrophages (CD68+ and CD163+), and IFN-γ. 
Pretreatment with CPA enhances HSV replication and oncolysis and reduces an HSV-mediated increase in CD68+ and CD163+ cells and intratumoral IFN-γ. 
Molecular imaging shows CPA pretreatment to inhibit HSV-induced infiltration of tumor-associated phagocytic cells. 
Our results reveal molecular and cellular mechanisms that inhibit intratumoral spread of HSV and suggest a therapeutic path for improving the efficacy of virotherapy as a treatment for cancer.

Keywords: gene therapy;  innate immunity; oncolytic virus; brain tumor; herpes simplex virus


Copyright © 2006 by the National Academy of Sciences
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