Suppression of tumor growth by oncolytic adenovirus-mediated delivery of an antiangiogenic gene, soluble Flt-1

Mol Ther. 2005 Apr;11(4):553-62. doi: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2004.12.015.

Abstract

Armed oncolytic adenoviruses represent an appealing tumor treatment approach, as they can attack tumors at multiple levels. In this study, considering that angiogenesis plays a central role in tumor growth, we inserted an antiangiogenic gene, sflt-1(1-3) (the first three extracellular domains of FLT1, the hVEGF receptor-1), into an E1B-55-kDa-deleted oncolytic adenovirus (ZD55) to construct ZD55-sflt-1. Although soluble (s) Flt-1 did not affect tumor cell growth, ZD55-sflt-1 could specifically induce a cytopathic effect in tumor cells, like ONYX-015. The secretion of sFlt-1 from ZD55-sflt-1 was much higher than that from replication-deficient Ad-sflt-1 upon infection of SW620 human colon tumor cells, leading to a stronger inhibitory effect on VEGF-induced proliferation and tube formation ability of HUVECs. Moreover, marked reduction of tumor growth and long-term survival rates were observed in ZD55-sflt-1-treated nude mice with subcutaneous SW620 tumor. Its efficacy correlated with a decrease in microvessel density and an increase in apoptotic tumor cells. In addition, ZD55-sflt-1 showed a synergic effect with the chemotherapeutic agent 5-FU. These results indicate that ZD55-sflt-1, combining the advantages of oncolytic adenovirus and antiangiogenic gene therapy, is a powerful agent for human tumor treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenoviridae / genetics
  • Adenovirus E1B Proteins / genetics
  • Animals
  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / therapeutic use
  • Apoptosis
  • Colonic Neoplasms / blood supply
  • Colonic Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Colonic Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Female
  • Fluorouracil / therapeutic use
  • Genes, Tumor Suppressor*
  • Genetic Therapy*
  • Genetic Vectors / genetics
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Nude
  • Neoplasm Transplantation
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / drug therapy
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / genetics
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / therapy*
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / genetics*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / metabolism
  • Virus Replication / genetics

Substances

  • Adenovirus E1B Proteins
  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1
  • Fluorouracil