Intravenously administered alphavirus vector VA7 eradicates orthotopic human glioma xenografts in nude mice.

ABSTRACT:

Background

VA7 is a neurotropic alphavirus vector based on an attenuated strain of Semliki Forest virus. We have previously shown that VA7 exhibits oncolytic activity against human melanoma xenografts in immunodeficient mice. The purpose of this study was to determine if intravenously administered VA7 would be effective against human glioma.

Methodology/principal findings

In vitro, U87, U251, and A172 human glioma cells were infected and killed by VA7-EGFP. In vivo, antiglioma activity of VA7 was tested in Balb/c nude mice using U87 cells stably expressing firefly luciferase in subcutaneous and orthotopic tumor models. Intravenously administered VA7-EGFP completely eradicated 100% of small and 50% of large subcutaneous U87Fluc tumors. A single intravenous injection of either

SUBMITTER: Heikkila JE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2799335 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature