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Updated: Jul 16, 2026
Dual Bioluminescence Imaging of Tumor Progression and Angiogenesis
Published on: August 1, 2019
Luciferase imaging for evaluation of oncolytic adenovirus replication in vivo
K Guse1, J D Dias, G J Bauerschmitz
1Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Molecular Cancer Biology Program and Haartman Institute, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Abstract:
Oncolytic viruses kill cancer cells by tumor-selective replication. Clinical data have established the safety of the approach but also the need of improvements in potency. Efficacy of oncolysis is linked to effective infection of target cells and subsequent productive replication. Other variables include intratumoral barriers, access to target cells, uptake by non-target organs and immune response. Each of these aspects relates to the location and degree of virus replication. Unfortunately, detection of in vivo replication has been difficult, labor intensive and costly and therefore not much studied. We hypothesized that by coinfection of a luciferase expressing E1-deleted virus with an oncolytic virus, both viruses would replicate when present in the same cell. Photon emission due to conversion of D-Luciferin is sensitive and penetrates tissues well. Importantly, killing of animals is not required and each animal can be imaged repeatedly. Two different murine xenograft models were used and intratumoral coinjections of luciferase encoding virus were performed with eight different oncolytic adenoviruses. In both models, we found significant correlation between photon emission and infectious virus production. This suggests that the system can be used for non-invasive quantitation of the amplitude, persistence and dynamics of oncolytic virus replication in vivo, which could be helpful for the development of more effective and safe agents.
Insights
This study introduces a novel, non-invasive method to track oncolytic virus replication in vivo. The new system uses luciferase imaging to quantify viral activity, aiding the development of more potent cancer therapies.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Oncology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Oncolytic viruses offer a promising cancer treatment strategy through tumor-selective replication.
- Clinical applications demonstrate safety but highlight the need for enhanced therapeutic potency.
- Current methods for detecting in vivo viral replication are challenging, limiting research and development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a non-invasive, sensitive, and cost-effective method for quantifying oncolytic virus replication in vivo.
- To assess the correlation between photon emission and infectious virus production.
- To facilitate the optimization of oncolytic virus-based cancer therapies.
Main Methods:
- Coinfection of murine xenograft models with an oncolytic virus and a luciferase-expressing E1-deleted virus.
- Intratumoral injection of the coinfection system.
- Non-invasive in vivo imaging of photon emission using D-Luciferin.
- Correlation analysis between photon emission and infectious virus yield.
Main Results:
- A significant correlation was observed between photon emission levels and infectious oncolytic virus production in both tested murine models.
- The luciferase-based system proved sensitive and capable of repeated measurements without animal sacrifice.
- The method demonstrated the ability to track the amplitude, persistence, and dynamics of viral replication.
Conclusions:
- The developed luciferase-based imaging system provides a valuable tool for non-invasive monitoring of oncolytic virus replication in vivo.
- This technique can significantly aid in the preclinical development of more effective and safer oncolytic virotherapies.
- Further research utilizing this method could accelerate the optimization of oncolytic virus agents for cancer treatment.
