Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 2, 2026
In Vivo Inhibition of MicroRNA to Decrease Tumor Growth in Mice
Published on: August 23, 2019
Oncolytic vaccinia virotherapy of anaplastic thyroid cancer in vivo
Shu-Fu Lin1, Daniel L Price, Chun-Hao Chen
1Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10021, USA.
Context:
Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is a fatal disease with a median survival of only 6 months. Novel therapies are needed to improve dismal outcomes.
Objective:
A mutated, replication-competent, vaccinia virus (GLV-1h68) has oncolytic effects on human ATC cell lines in vitro. We assessed the utility of GLV-1h68 in treating anaplastic thyroid cancer in vivo.
Design:
Athymic nude mice with xenograft flank tumors of human ATCs (8505C and DRO90-1) were treated with a single intratumoral injection of GLV-1h68 at low dose (5x10(5) plaque-forming unit), high dose (5x10(6) plaque-forming unit), or PBS. Virus-mediated marker gene expression (luciferase, green fluorescent protein, and beta-galactosidase), viral biodistribution, and flank tumor volumes were measured.
Results:
Luciferase expression was detected 2 d after injection. Continuous viral replication within tumors was reflected by increasing luciferase activity to d 9. At d 10, tumor viral recovery was increased more than 50-fold as compared with the injected dose, and minimal virus was recovered from the lung, liver, brain, heart, spleen, and kidneys. High-dose virus directly injected into normal tissues was undetectable at d 10. The mean volume of control 8505C tumors increased 50.8-fold by d 45, in contrast to 10.5-fold (low dose) and 2.1-fold (high dose; P=0.028) increases for treated tumors. DRO90-1 tumors also showed significant growth inhibition by high-dose virus. No virus-related toxicity was observed throughout the study.
Conclusions:
GLV-1h68 efficiently infects, expresses transgenes within, and inhibits the growth of ATC in vivo. These promising findings support future clinical trials for patients with ATC.
Insights
A mutated vaccinia virus (GLV-1h68) effectively targets and inhibits anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) growth in vivo. This oncolytic virus shows promise for treating this fatal disease with no observed toxicity.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Virology
- Gene Therapy
Background:
- Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is a highly aggressive cancer with a poor prognosis.
- There is an urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies to improve survival rates in ATC patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of a replication-competent vaccinia virus (GLV-1h68) as an oncolytic agent against anaplastic thyroid cancer in vivo.
- To assess the safety and biodistribution of GLV-1h68 in a preclinical model of ATC.
Main Methods:
- Athymic nude mice bearing human ATC xenografts (8505C and DRO90-1) were treated with intratumoral injections of GLV-1h68 (low or high dose) or PBS.
- Viral replication was monitored via marker gene expression (luciferase).
- Tumor volume changes and viral biodistribution were assessed.
Main Results:
- GLV-1h68 demonstrated efficient replication within ATC tumors, with viral loads increasing significantly by day 10 post-injection.
- High-dose GLV-1h68 treatment resulted in significant inhibition of tumor growth in both 8505C and DRO90-1 xenografts compared to controls.
- The virus was primarily localized to tumors, with minimal recovery from major organs, and no virus-related toxicity was observed.
Conclusions:
- GLV-1h68 is an effective oncolytic virus for inhibiting ATC growth in vivo.
- The virus efficiently infects ATC cells and expresses transgenes within tumors.
- These preclinical findings support the potential of GLV-1h68 for clinical application in anaplastic thyroid cancer treatment.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Tumor Immunotherapy
01:30Cancer Vaccines
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
02:49Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...