Fusogenic vesicular stomatitis virus for the treatment of head and neck squamous carcinomas.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigates the efficacy of recombinant fusogenic VSV [rVSV-NDV/F(L289A) or rVSV-F] in the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).


METHODS
The in vitro replication and cytotoxicity of rVSV-F were studied in two human SCC cell lines, in one murine SCC cell line, and in human keratinocytes. The effects on tumor size and animal survival were investigated following in vivo rVSV-F treatment of floor-of-mouth tumor model C3H/HeJ mice.


RESULTS
Recombinant VSV-F preferentially induced rapid syncytia formation, and replicated in (P < 0.04) and killed (P < 1 x 10(-13)) all three SCC lines tested. The virus had no observable effect on human keratinocytes. Tumor size was smaller (P < 0.03) and overall survival was better (P < 0.001) for treated animals than for control animals.


CONCLUSIONS
Recombinant VSV-F confers a modest survival benefit for HNSCC in this orthotopic murine model. This oncolytic virus holds promise as a novel cancer treatment for recurrent HNSCC.
Shin
Edward J
EJ
Department of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA. entshin@yahoo.com
Chang
Jaime I
JI
Choi
Bryan
B
Wanna
Georges
G
Ebert
Oliver
O
Genden
Eric M
EM
Woo
Savio L C
SL
D000818:Animals; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000628:therapy* / Q000821:virology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D015726:Giant Cells / Q000821:virology; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy* / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000821:virology; D051379:Mice; D010641:Phenotype; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D018353:Rhabdoviridae Infections / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology*; D014721:Vesicular stomatitis Indiana virus / Q000235:genetics*; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000235:genetics
D017931:DNA Primers; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins