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Biomedical subjects

Lee M Ellis

Publications and source records attributed to Lee M Ellis.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Targeting of urokinase plasminogen activator receptor in human pancreatic carcinoma cells inhibits c-Met- and insulin-like growth factor-I receptor-mediated migration and invasion and orthotopic tumor growth in mice.

Pancreatic carcinomas express high levels of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and its receptor (uPAR), both of which mediate cell migration and invasion. We investigated the hypotheses that (a) insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I)- and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-mediated migration and invasion of human pancreatic carcinoma cells require uPA and uPAR function and (b) inhibition of uPAR inhibits tumor growth, retroperitoneal invasion, and hepatic metastasis of human pancreatic carcinomas in mice. Using transwell assays, we investigated the effect of IGF-I and HGF on L3.6pl migration and invasion. We measured the induction of uPA and uPAR following treatment of cells with IGF-I and HGF using immunoprecipitation and Western blot analysis. The importance of uPA and uPAR on L3.6pl cell migration and invasion was studied by inhibiting their activities with amiloride and antibodies before cytokine treatment. In an orthotopic mouse model of human pancreatic carcinoma, we evaluated the effect of anti-uPAR monoclonal antibodies with and without gemcitabine on primary tumor growth, retroperitoneal invasion, and hepatic metastasis. IGF-I and HGF mediated cell migration and invasion in L3.6pl cells. In addition, IGF-I and HGF induced uPA and uPAR expression in L3.6pl cells. In vitro, blockade of uPA and uPAR activity inhibited IGF-I- and HGF-mediated cell migration and invasion. Treatment of mice with anti-uPAR monoclonal antibody significantly decreased pancreatic tumor growth and hepatic metastasis and completely inhibited retroperitoneal invasion. Our study shows the importance of the uPA/uPAR system in pancreatic carcinoma cell migration and invasion. These findings suggest that uPAR is a potential target for therapy in patients with pancreatic cancer.

Amiloride↗
PubMed2005

Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 promotes migration and invasion in pancreatic carcinoma cell lines.

BACKGROUND: Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (VEGFR-1) is one of three receptor tyrosine kinases for VEGF, a key regulator of angiogenesis in cancer. Although VEGFRs initially were believed to be expressed exclusively on endothelial cells (ECs), recent studies have demonstrated the presence of VEGFR-1 on non-EC types. The authors hypothesized that VEGFR-1 is present and functional in pancreatic carcinoma cells, contributing to the malignant phenotype. METHODS: The authors assessed the expression of VEGFR-1 and its ligands in 11 pancreatic carcinoma cell lines by reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and/or Western blot analysis. The function of VEGFR-1 was evaluated by treating two representative cell lines with VEGF-B, a selective ligand for VEGFR-1, and/or a specific anti-VEGFR-1 antibody and assessing the effects on signaling, migration, invasion, and proliferation. RESULTS: All 11 pancreatic carcinoma cell lines expressed VEGFR-1 mRNA and protein, as well as the VEGFR-1 ligands VEGF-A and VEGF-B. Two representative cell lines (L3.6 and Panc-1) exhibited VEGF-B-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling. A VEGFR-1 neutralizing antibody abrogated signaling, confirming that the ligand effect was mediated through VEGFR-1. VEGFR-1 stimulation by VEGF-A or VEGF-B was found to promote migration in both cell lines. Panc-1 cells also demonstrated enhanced Matrigel invasion after VEGFR-1 stimulation. VEGFR-1-dependent migration and invasion were blocked by the VEGFR-1 neutralizing antibody. VEGFR-1 activation did not appear to enhance cell proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: VEGFR-1 appears to be expressed ubiquitously in pancreatic carcinoma cell lines, in which it induces signaling and promotes migration and invasion. Overexpression of VEGF in tumors may activate tumor cells bearing VEGFR-1 via an autocrine pathway. Agents targeting VEGF or its receptors may have a dual inhibitory effect on tumor growth by suppressing both angiogenesis and tumor cell function.

Blotting, Western↗
PubMed2005

Significant long-term survival after radiofrequency ablation of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) offers an alternative treatment in some unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with disease confined to the liver. We prospectively evaluated survival rates in patients with early-stage, unresectable HCC treated with RFA. METHODS: All patients with HCC treated with RFA between September 1, 1997, and July 31, 2002, were prospectively evaluated. Patients were treated with RFA by using a percutaneous or open intraoperative approach with ultrasound guidance and were evaluated at regular intervals to determine disease recurrence and survival. RESULTS: A total of 194 patients (153 men [79%] and 41 women [21%]) with a median age of 66 years (range, 39-86 years) underwent RFA of 289 sonographically detectable HCC tumors. All patients were followed up for at least 12 months (median follow-up, 34.8 months). Percutaneous and open intraoperative RFA was performed in 140 (72%) and 54 (28%) patients, respectively. The median diameter of tumors treated with RFA was 3.3 cm. Disease recurred in 103 (53%) of 194 patients, including 69 (49%) of 140 patients treated percutaneously and 34 (63%) of 54 treated with open RFA (not significant). Local recurrence developed in nine patients (4.6%). Most recurrence was intrahepatic. The overall complication rate was 12%. Overall survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years for all 194 patients were 84.5%, 68.1%, and 55.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with RFA can produce significant long-term survival rates for cirrhotic patients with early-stage, unresectable HCC. RFA can be performed in these patients with relatively low complication rates. Confirmation of these results in randomized trials should be considered.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Neuropilin-1 suppresses tumorigenic properties in a human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line lacking neuropilin-1 coreceptors.

Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) was first described as a coreceptor implicated in neuronal guidance that bound members of the semaphorin/collapsin family. NRP-1 is also expressed in endothelial cells and is believed to promote angiogenesis by acting as a coreceptor with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor 2. Recent studies suggest that NRP-1 can function through both a VEGF-dependent and VEGF-independent fashion. Expression of NRP-1 has been shown in many human tumors, including pancreatic adenocarcinomas. The exact role of NRP-1 in tumor cells is unknown, particularly in cells that lack the NRP-1 coreceptors VEGF receptor 2 and Plexin-A1. To discern the regulatory role(s) of NRP-1 in pancreatic adenocarcinoma that lack these coreceptors, we overexpressed both full-length NRP-1 and a deletion form of NRP-1 that does not interact with semaphorin or VEGF. Overexpression of either isoform reduced several key tumorigenic properties, including anchorage-independent cell growth and migration in vitro, and resulted in reduced tumor incidence and tumor volume in vivo. Conversely, reduction of NRP-1 expression by small interfering RNA targeting led to enhanced tumor growth. Thus, NRP-1 may play distinct growth regulatory roles in different tumor types, and altering NRP-1 expression or function may be a means of influencing the growth of pancreatic cancers.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2005

HIF-1alpha, STAT3, CBP/p300 and Ref-1/APE are components of a transcriptional complex that regulates Src-dependent hypoxia-induced expression of VEGF in pancreatic and prostate carcinomas.

Hypoxia stimulates a number of pathways critical to cancer cell survival, including the activation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) transcription. In normal fibroblasts, hypoxia-induced activation of the protein tyrosine kinase, Src, is required for VEGF expression. We show here in both pancreatic and prostate carcinoma cell lines cobalt chloride (used to mimic hypoxia) -induced VEGF expression requires Src activation and leads to increased steady-state levels of HIF-1alpha and increased phosphorylation of signal and transducer of transcription 3 (STAT3). STAT3 and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1alpha bind simultaneously to the VEGF promoter, where they form a molecular complex with the transcription coactivators CBP/p300 and Ref-1/APE. Expression of activated Src from an inducible promoter is sufficient to increase VEGF expression and form these STAT3/HIF-1alpha-containing promoter complexes. Inhibition of DNA binding by expression of either STAT3 or HIF-1alpha dominant negative mutants significantly reduces VEGF expression. These data suggest that the binding of both STAT3 and HIF-1alpha to the VEGF promoter is required for maximum transcription of VEGF mRNA following hypoxia.

Autoradiography↗
PubMed2005

Improving delivery of antineoplastic agents with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy.

It is believed that impairments in delivery of antineoplastic agents to solid tumors result from abnormalities of the tumor microenvironment. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), the prototypical angiogenic molecule, is one of the main factors responsible for the development and maintenance of the aberrant tumor vascular network, which is characterized by chaotic, leaky blood vessels with high interstitial fluid pressure and inefficient blood flow. The authors proposed that anti-VEGF therapy would reduce the elevated interstitial fluid pressure in tumors, thereby improving blood flow and potentially improving delivery of cytotoxic agents to tumor cells. For the current report, the authors reviewed characteristics of the abnormal tumor vasculature created under the influence of VEGF, the resulting tumor microenvironment, how the tumor microenvironment may impede delivery of antineoplastic agents, and how the combination of anti-VEGF and cytotoxic therapy may maximize the efficacy of antineoplastic treatment regimens.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Expression and function of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 on human colorectal cancer cells.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is associated with tumor angiogenesis and poor prognosis in human colorectal cancer (CRC). VEGF receptor-1 (VEGFR-1 or Flt-1) is a high-affinity receptor for VEGF and is typically considered specific to endothelial cells. Here we report the expression and function of VEGFR-1 in CRC cell lines. VEGFR-1 was expressed in all CRC cell lines studied as determined by RT-PCR, Western blot analysis, FACS, and ELISA. Treatment of the human CRC cell lines HT-29 and SW480 with VEGF-A (a ligand for both VEGFR-1 and -2) or VEGF-B (a ligand specific for VEGFR-1) led to activation of Erk-1/2, SAPK/JNK, and translocation of the p65 subunit of nuclear factor-kappaB into the nucleus. Both VEGF-A and -B led to significant induction of cell motility and invasiveness of CRC cells. Stimulation of cells with VEGF-A or -B also led to larger and more numerous colonies in soft agar. However, activation of VEGFR-1 did not increase CRC cell proliferation. In contrast to the previous paradigm that VEGFRs are not present on tumor cells of epithelial origin, we found that VEGFR-1 is present and functional on CRC cells, and activation by VEGF family ligands can activate processes involved in tumor progression and metastasis.

Blotting, Western↗
PubMed2005

RON, a tyrosine kinase receptor involved in tumor progression and metastasis.

Tyrosine kinase receptors mediate many critical cellular functions that contribute to tumor progression and metastasis and thus are potential targets for molecular-based cancer therapy. As has been found for many receptor tyrosine kinases, RON (recepteur d'origine nantais) and its ligand, macrophage-stimulating protein, have recently been implicated in the progression and metastasis of tumors. In in vitro experiments using colon and breast cancer cell lines, overexpression of RON led to increased invasion and migration of cancer cells and prevented apoptosis and anoikis. In addition, transgenic mice engineered to overexpress RON in the lung epithelium developed multiple pulmonary tumors, suggesting a role for RON in tumorigenesis. In human cancer specimens, increased RON expression has been demonstrated in colon, breast, ovarian, and lung tumors. Therefore, therapies designed to inhibit RON activation may hinder critical tumor survival mechanisms and play a role in the treatment of advanced disease.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Molecular mechanisms of resistance to therapies targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor.

Targeted therapies that inhibit the activity of tyrosine kinase receptors such as the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) have shown activity against solid malignancies when used as single agents or in combination with chemotherapy. Although anti-EGFR therapies are active in some patients, eventually disease in nearly all patients will become refractory to therapy. Therefore, a better understanding of the mechanisms of resistance to anti-EGFR therapies is critical to further improve the efficacy of this class of agents. Mechanisms that mediate resistance to anti-EGFR therapies include the presence of redundant tyrosine kinase receptors, increased angiogenesis, and the constitutive activation of downstream mediators. Two recent landmark publications have also shown that specific mutations in the kinase domain of EGFR in some lung carcinomas are associated with markedly improved response rates to an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Mutations in the EGFR receptor seem to play a significant role in determining the sensitivity of tumor cells to EGFR inhibitor therapy by altering the conformation and activity of the receptor. As the field of molecular therapeutics continues to evolve, a comprehensive understanding of resistance mechanisms will ultimately lead to refinements in our regimens to provide better care for patients with cancer.

Carcinoma↗
PubMed2005

Bevacizumab.

Bevacizumab (Avastin; Genentech/Roche), an antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor, was approved by the US FDA in February 2004 for the first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer in combination with 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy. It is the first approved agent to target tumour angiogenesis.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors↗
PubMed2005

Insulinlike growth factor-I-mediated migration and invasion of human colon carcinoma cells requires activation of c-Met and urokinase plasminogen activator receptor.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether insulinlike growth factor-I (IGF-I) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) cooperate to induce migration and invasion of human colorectal carcinoma (CRC) cells and whether the effects of IGF-I and/or HGF are mediated through activation of the urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA)/uPA receptor (uPAR) system, a central mediator of tumor-cell migration and invasion. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: CRC cells must invade through the basement membrane of the colon and migrate to form metastases. CRC cells are known to overexpress IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR), c-Met, and uPAR, 3 cell-surface receptors known to mediate cell migration and invasion. We hypothesized that IGF-IR and c-Met cooperate to induce migration and invasion in CRC cells and that this signaling is dependent on uPAR. METHODS: KM12L4 human CRC cells were treated with IGF-I, HGF, or IGF-I + HGF in transwell migration and invasion chambers; cells that had migrated or invaded were counted. To determine the role of c-Met in IGF-I-induced migration and invasion, c-Met was inhibited by infection of cells with an adenovirus containing a c-Met ribozyme; transwell assays were then repeated. To determine the role of the uPA/uPAR system in IGF-I-induced CRC cell migration and invasion, transwell assays were repeated after pretreating cells with the uPA inhibitor amiloride or with neutralizing antibodies to uPA and uPAR. RESULTS: IGF-I and HGF, alone or in combination, increased cell migration and invasion. The c-Met ribozyme inhibited IGF-I- and HGF-mediated migration and invasion, indicating that c-Met is essential for these processes. uPA and uPAR inhibition blocked IGF-I- and HGF-mediated migration and invasion, suggesting that uPAR is downstream of IGF/IGF-IR and HGF/c-Met in the signaling pathways that mediate cell migration and invasion. CONCLUSIONS: IGF-I and HGF cooperate to induce migration and invasion of CRC cells, and c-Met and uPA/uPAR are required for IGF-I-mediated migration and invasion. In our in vitro model of CRC migration and invasion, uPA and uPAR appear to be downstream of IGF-IR and c-Met and are required for migration and invasion. Elucidation of the pathways that contribute to tumor progression and metastasis should provide a foundation for the rational development and use of targeted therapies for CRC.

Cell Line, Tumor↗
PubMed2005

Functional CT for quantifying tumor perfusion in antiangiogenic therapy in a rat model.

PURPOSE: To determine the histologic basis of perfusion parameters measured at functional computed tomography (CT) and to examine the relationship between changes in perfusion and changes in histologic parameters after antiangiogenic therapy in a rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study had institutional animal care and use committee approval. Among 20 Fischer rats with implanted FN13762 tumors in the liver, 10 were treated with SU5416, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, and 10 were treated with the diluent only as control rats. Six rats chosen at random from each group underwent functional CT for the measurement of tumor blood flow, blood volume, mean transit time, and permeability-surface area product. Tumor tissue slides corresponding to functional CT sections were examined to measure tumor microvascular density, number of luminal vessels, vascular perimeter, and vascular area. Two-tailed Student t testing was used to determine differences in growth, numbers of metastases to major organs, vascularity, and perfusion between SU5416-treated and control tumors. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to investigate relationships between vascular parameters. RESULTS: Mean tumor volume and number of metastases, respectively, were lower in SU5416-treated rats than in control rats (1580 mm3 +/- 830 [standard deviation] vs 2330 mm3 +/- 960 and 22.4 +/- 11.0 vs 35.2 +/- 17.3); however, these differences were not significant (P = .084 and P = .079). Mean tumor microvascular density was significantly lower in SU5416-treated rats than in control rats (6.4 vessels per field +/- 4.6 vs 17.2 vessels per field +/- 7.5, P < .001); however, vessel perimeter and vessel area, respectively, were significantly larger in treated rats than in control rats (470 microm per field +/- 320 vs 360 microm per field +/- 270, P = .02; and 4010 microm2 per field +/- 2990 vs 2230 microm2 per field +/- 1750, P = .001). Significant correlations were observed between microvascular density and vessel perimeter and area (r = 0.59 and r = 0.25, respectively; P < .01 for both) in SU5416-treated tumors but not control tumors. Blood flow, blood volume, and permeability-surface area product at functional CT were significantly higher in SU5416-treated tumors than in control tumors (P < .001 for all). CONCLUSION: These results validate the idea that functional CT can help quantify the perfusion function of mature vessels but not changes in microvessel density in antiangiogenic therapy.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors↗
PubMed2004

Celecoxib inhibits angiogenesis by inducing endothelial cell apoptosis in human pancreatic tumor xenografts.

Previous studies suggest that antagonists of cyclooxygenases 1 and 2 (COX-1, -2) inhibit angiogenesis in tumor xenografts, but the molecular mechanisms involved remain unclear. Here we characterized the effects of non-selective (indomethacin) and selective (NS398, celecoxib) cyclooxygenase inhibitors on parameters of angiogenesis in human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells. COX-1 expression was constitutive in 9/9 pancreatic cancer cell lines, whereas COX-2 and cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) expression were observed in 4/9 cell lines (BxPC3, Capan2, Cfpac1, and L3.6 pl). Production of the COX product, prostaglandin E2, correlated with expression of cPLA2 and COX-2 and was blocked by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, indomethacin or NS398). In contrast to the findings of others, neither indomethacin nor NS398 affected tumor cell secretion of angiogenic factors (VEGF, bFGF, IL-8) at concentrations that produced maximal inhibition of PGE2 production, and higher concentrations increased angiogenic factor production. We also studied the effects of celecoxib in orthotopic L3.6 pl xenografts. Immunofluorescence analyses revealed high-level expression of COX-2 in endothelial cells in L3.6 pl xenografts that increased following therapy with celecoxib, whereas the tumor cells expressed uniformly low levels of COX-2. Celecoxib did not decrease tumor-associated VEGF levels in orthotopic human L3.6 pl xenografts, but the drug did decrease tumor microvessel density (MVD) and increase apoptosis in tumor-associated endothelial cells in a dose-dependent fashion. Together, our results demonstrate that the anti-angiogeneic effects of NSAIDs in human pancreatic cancer cells are exerted via direct effects on endothelial cells.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2004

Role of the vascular endothelial growth factor pathway in tumor growth and angiogenesis.

New blood vessel formation (angiogenesis) is a fundamental event in the process of tumor growth and metastatic dissemination. Hence, the molecular basis of tumor angiogenesis has been of keen interest in the field of cancer research. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway is well established as one of the key regulators of this process. The VEGF/VEGF-receptor axis is composed of multiple ligands and receptors with overlapping and distinct ligand-receptor binding specificities, cell-type expression, and function. Activation of the VEGF-receptor pathway triggers a network of signaling processes that promote endothelial cell growth, migration, and survival from pre-existing vasculature. In addition, VEGF mediates vessel permeability, and has been associated with malignant effusions. More recently, an important role for VEGF has emerged in mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells from the bone marrow to distant sites of neovascularization. The well-established role of VEGF in promoting tumor angiogenesis and the pathogenesis of human cancers has led to the rational design and development of agents that selectively target this pathway. Studies with various anti-VEGF/VEGF-receptor therapies have shown that these agents can potently inhibit angiogenesis and tumor growth in preclinical models. Recently, an anti-VEGF antibody (bevacizumab), when used in combination with chemotherapy, was shown to significantly improve survival and response rates in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer and thus, validate VEGF pathway inhibitors as an important new treatment modality in cancer therapy.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors↗
PubMed2004

An HSP90-mimic peptide revealed by fingerprinting the pool of antibodies from ovarian cancer patients.

To gain insight into the mechanisms of molecular recognition and humoral immune response in ovarian cancer, we used fingerprinting, a phage display-based combinatorial selection to isolate peptide ligands to tumor-related antibodies present in ascites from patients with advanced disease. First, we have isolated a consensus motif (sequence CVPELGHEC) in 86% of the peptides screened; this enriched motif was selected from a total of 10(8)-10(9) unique random sequences present in the library. Next, we identified the heat-shock protein 90 kDa (HSP90) as the native antigen mimicked by the motif. Finally, we evaluated the expression of HSP90 and the presence of antibodies against the HSP90-mimic peptide in a large panel of ovarian cancer patients and controls. In tissue microarrays, we show that the expression of HSP90 is ubiquitous. However, the corresponding humoral immune response against HSP90 is restricted to a subset of patients with stage IV disease. Together, these results show that screening humoral response can identify tumor antigens that may serve as molecular targets in ovarian cancer. Recognition of such relevant proteins in the immunobiology of malignant tumors may lead to the development of therapies

Amino Acid Motifs↗
PubMed2004

Interleukin-1beta stimulates IL-8 expression through MAP kinase and ROS signaling in human gastric carcinoma cells.

Recent studies have suggested that the expression of interleukin-8 (IL-8) directly correlates with the vascularity of human gastric carcinomas. In this study, the effect of IL-1beta on IL-8 expression in human gastric cancer TMK-1 cells and the underlying signal transduction pathways were investigated. IL-1beta induced the IL-8 expression in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. IL-1beta induced the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases-1/2 and P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), but not the activation of c-jun amino-terminal kinse and Akt. Specific inhibitors of MEK-1 (PD980590) and P38 MAPK (SB203580) were found to suppress the IL-8 expression and the IL-8 promoter activity. Expression of vectors encoding a mutated-type MEK-1 and P38 MAPK resulted in decrease in the IL-8 promoter activity. IL-1beta also induced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) prevented the IL-1beta-induced ROS production and IL-8 expression. In addition, exogenous H2O2 could induce the IL-8 expression. Deletional and site-directed mutagenesis studies on the IL-8 promoter revealed that activator protein-1 (AP-1) and nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB sites were required for the IL-1beta-induced IL-8 transcription. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay confirmed that IL-1beta increased the DNA-binding activity of AP-1 and NF-kappaB. Inhibitor (PD980590, SB203580) and ROS scavenger (NAC) studies revealed that the upstream signalings for the transcription factors AP-1 and NF-kappaB were MAPK and ROS, respectively. Conditioned media from the TMK-1 cells pretreated with IL-1beta could remarkably stimulate the in vitro growth of HUVEC and this effect was partially abrogated by IL-8-neutralizing antibodies. The above results suggest that MAPK-AP-1 and ROS-NF-kappaB signaling pathways are involved in the IL-1beta-induced IL-8 expression and that these paracrine signaling pathways induce endothelial cell proliferation.

Cell Line, Tumor↗
PubMed2004

Oncolysis by viral replication and inhibition of angiogenesis by a replication-conditional herpes simplex virus that expresses mouse endostatin.

BACKGROUND: In preclinical models, infection of tumors by oncolytic strains of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) resulted in the destruction of tumor cells by viral replication and release of progeny virion that infected and destroyed adjacent tumor cells. However, complete tumor regression was rarely observed. METHODS: To augment the antitumor effect of viral oncolysis, a replication conditional HSV-1 mutant (HSV-Endo) was constructed in which the murine endostatin gene was incorporated into the HSV-1 genome. RESULTS: Replication of HSV-Endo effectively destroyed several colon carcinoma cell lines in vitro. Secretion of endostatin by HSV-Endo-infected HT29 human colon carcinoma cells was confirmed by Western blot analysis. The secreted endostatin was biologically active as assessed in a chick chorioallantoic membrane assay. Importantly, endostatin production at the site of viral replication did not inhibit viral replication. Direct injection of HSV-Endo into flank tumors caused tumor destruction, and some of the HSV-Endo-treated flank tumors completely sloughed. Immunohistochemical staining of the tumors revealed a decreased number of blood vessels in the HSV-Endo-treated group versus the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The oncolytic HSV-1 mutant HSV-Endo provided a two-pronged therapy; namely, inhibition of angiogenesis and direct tumor cell destruction by viral replication.

Allantois↗