Docetaxel increases antitumor efficacy of oncolytic prostate-restricted replicative adenovirus by enhancing cell killing and virus distribution.
BACKGROUND
We explored multiple molecular mechanisms of the combination of docetaxel and an oncolytic prostate-restricted replication competent adenovirus (Ad) (PRRA) in advanced prostate cancer (PCa) models. The combinational therapy has potential to overcome the therapeutic limitations of poor virus distribution inside solid tumors.


METHODS
We evaluated the effect of docetaxel on the antitumor efficacy and efficiency of virus transduction, transgene expression and virus distribution of PRRA in a prostate-specific antigen/prostate-specific membrane antigen-positive tumor xenograft model. We also evaluated the effect of docetaxel on apoptosis induction, cell killing and the efficiency of transgene expression and virus replication in vitro.


RESULTS
Tumor growth inhibition was significantly enhanced when docetaxel was administrated before intratumor injection of PRRA. In vivo dual-photon microscopy and ex vivo fluorescence microscopy and immunohistochemistry showed that docetaxel increased transgene expression and expanded virus distribution. The combination of docetaxel and PRRA also increased cell apoptosis. In vitro, docetaxel significantly increased cell killing in PRRA-treated PCa cells. Docetaxel significantly increased Ad-mediated trangene expression independent of Ad binding receptors and replication capability. Docetaxel increased the activity of cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter but not of a chimeric prostate-specific enhancer, resulting in higher transgene expression. The enhanced CMV promoter activity resulted from activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) because inhibition of p38 MAPK blocked the docetaxel-induced increase in CMV promoter activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Combining docetaxel with an oncolytic PRRA improved therapeutic potential by expanding virus distribution and enhancing cell apoptosis and killing. These studies suggested a novel mechanism for enhancing the effect of therapeutic genes delivered by a PRRA.
Li
Xiong
X
Maine Institute for Human Genetics and Health, Bangor, ME, USA.
Liu
Youhong
Y
Tang
Yong
Y
Roger
Phipps
P
Jeng
Meei-Huey
MH
Kao
Chinghai
C
D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D016923:Cell Death / Q000502:physiology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D000077143:Docetaxel; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D019012:Integrin beta1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D039661:Integrin beta3 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D043823:Taxoids / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019076:Transgenes; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000235:genetics; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D019012:Integrin beta1; D039661:Integrin beta3; D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases