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Updated: Aug 6, 2026
Ex Vivo Infection of Live Tissue with Oncolytic Viruses
Published on: June 25, 2011
Pilot study of oncolytic viral therapy using mutant herpes simplex virus (HF10) against recurrent metastatic breast
Hideto Kimata1, Tsuneo Imai, Toyone Kikumori
1Department of Surgery II, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan.
Background:
An oncolytic herpes simplex virus type 1 mutant (HF10) has been isolated and evaluated for antitumor efficacy in a syngeneic immunocompetent mouse model, where it was effective against cancer and conferred resistance to rechallenge with tumor cells in all surviving mice. Several studies have shown that HF10 is effective and safe for use against localized or peritoneally disseminated nonneuronal malignant tumors in animals.
Methods:
A pilot study using HF10 was initiated in six patients with cutaneous or subcutaneous metastases from breast cancer. For each patient, .5 mL of HF10 suspension containing various viral doses was injected into one nodule; .5 mL of sterile saline was injected into another. All patients were monitored for local and systemic adverse effects. Nodules were excised 14 days after injection for histopathologic studies.
Results:
All patients tolerated the intratumoral injection of HF10. No adverse effects occurred, and histopathological evaluation revealed 30% to 100% cancer cell death.
Conclusions:
This pilot study found HF10 to be safe and effective against metastatic breast cancer.
Insights
Oncolytic herpes simplex virus type 1 mutant (HF10) showed safety and efficacy in a pilot study for metastatic breast cancer. Intratumoral injection led to significant cancer cell death with no adverse effects observed.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Oncology
- Immunology
Background:
- Oncolytic herpes simplex virus type 1 mutant (HF10) demonstrates antitumor efficacy in preclinical models.
- HF10 has shown effectiveness and safety against various non-neuronal malignant tumors in animal studies.
- Previous research indicates HF10 can confer resistance to tumor rechallenge in surviving mice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of HF10 in patients with metastatic breast cancer.
- To assess local and systemic adverse effects following intratumoral HF10 injection.
- To determine the impact of HF10 on cancer cell death in human tumors.
Main Methods:
- A pilot study involved six patients with cutaneous or subcutaneous breast cancer metastases.
- HF10 suspension was injected into one tumor nodule, with sterile saline injected into a control nodule per patient.
- Patients were monitored for adverse effects, and nodules were excised 14 days post-injection for histopathology.
Main Results:
- Intratumoral injection of HF10 was well-tolerated by all patients.
- No local or systemic adverse effects were reported.
- Histopathological analysis revealed cancer cell death ranging from 30% to 100% in HF10-treated nodules.
Conclusions:
- HF10 is a safe and effective agent for treating metastatic breast cancer.
- Intratumoral HF10 demonstrates significant oncolytic activity in human tumors.
- This pilot study supports further investigation of HF10 in breast cancer therapy.
