The strategic combination of trastuzumab emtansine with oncolytic rhabdoviruses leads to therapeutic synergy

Commun Biol. 2020 May 22;3(1):254. doi: 10.1038/s42003-020-0972-7.

Abstract

We have demonstrated that microtubule destabilizing agents (MDAs) can sensitize tumors to oncolytic vesicular stomatitis virus (VSVΔ51) in various preclinical models of cancer. The clinically approved T-DM1 (Kadcyla®) is an antibody-drug conjugate consisting of HER2-targeting trastuzumab linked to the potent MDA and maytansine derivative DM1. We reveal that combining T-DM1 with VSVΔ51 leads to increased viral spread and tumor killing in trastuzumab-binding, VSVΔ51-resistant cancer cells. In vivo, co-treatment of VSVΔ51 and T-DM1 increased overall survival in HER2-overexpressing, but trastuzumab-refractory, JIMT1 human breast cancer xenografts compared to monotherapies. Furthermore, viral spread in cultured HER2+ human ovarian cancer patient-derived ascites samples was enhanced by the combination of VSVΔ51 and T-DM1. Our data using the clinically approved Kadcyla® in combination with VSVΔ51 demonstrates proof of concept that targeted delivery of a viral-sensitizing molecule using an antibody-drug conjugate can enhance oncolytic virus activity and provides rationale for translation of this approach.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Breast Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Drug Synergism*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Maytansine / administration & dosage
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Oncolytic Virotherapy / methods*
  • Rhabdoviridae / genetics*
  • Trastuzumab / administration & dosage
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Maytansine
  • Trastuzumab