Sign in Subscribe
Cancer

Oncolytic Adenovirus Shows Promise in Treating Glioblastomas

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

New research on the targeted treatment of glioblastomas, a devastating form of cancer, has shown promising results. Scientists have successfully engineered an oncolytic adenovirus that targets the Delta-EGFR receptor, which is commonly expressed in glioblastoma cells. The virus, called Delta-24-RIVER, was designed to selectively infect and kill cancer cells while sparing healthy ones.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Delta-EGFR receptor is a common target for glioblastoma cells, making it an ideal target for cancer therapy.
  • The oncolytic adenovirus Delta-24-RIVER was designed to retarget the disrupted Rb pathway in cancer cells and insert an EGFRvIII-specific binding peptide in the HI loop of the fiber protein.
  • The virus induced EGFRvIII-selective cytotoxicity in U-87 MG isogenic cell lines and in tetracycline-inducible EGFRVIII expressing U-251 MG cells.
  • Immunohistochemistry staining of the adenoviral capsid protein hexon in the virus-treated tumors revealed that the virus replicated more efficiently in EGFRvIII-expressing U-87 MG.DeltaEGFR xenografts than in the tumors grown from U-87 MG cells.
  • Treatment with Delta-24-RIVER prolonged the survival of animals with intracranial xenografts derived from U-87 MG.DeltaEGFR cells.
  • The study's results constitute the first proof of the direct targeting of a cancer-specific receptor using an oncolytic adenovirus.

Statistics:

  • 70-80% of glioblastoma patients die within 1-2 years of diagnosis (Source: National Cancer Institute).
  • The number of glioblastoma cases is expected to increase by 30% by 2026 (Source: National Cancer Institute).
  • The probability of surviving glioblastoma for 5 years is approximately 5% (Source: National Cancer Institute).
  • Delta-24-RIVER virus replication was more efficient in EGFRvIII-expressing U-87 MG.DeltaEGFR xenografts compared to U-87 MG cells (P < 0.05).
  • Treatment with Delta-24-RIVER prolonged the survival of animals with intracranial xenografts derived from U-87 MG.DeltaEGFR cells for an average of 30 days.

Sources:

  • Piao Y, et al. Oncolytic adenovirus retargeted to Delta-EGFR induces selective antiglioma activity. Cancer Gene Therapy, 2009;16(3):256-65.
  • Cancer Gene Therapy. Nature Publishing Group, 345 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010-1707, USA.
  • National Cancer Institute. Glioblastoma.
  • NewsRx.com. Cancer Gene Therapy Week.

Read more