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Updated: May 20, 2026
Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment
Published on: April 22, 2019
Oncolysis of canine tumor cells by myxoma virus lacking the serp2 gene
Ashlee S Urbasic1, Stacy Hynes, Amy Somrak
1Department of Pathobiology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61802, USA.
Objective:
To determine the oncolytic efficacy of an attenuated form of myxoma virus lacking the serp2 gene in canine tumor cells.
Sample:
Primary cells were isolated from tumors that were surgically removed from dogs and from connective tissue obtained from the cadaver of a dog. Cells of various established cell lines from tumors and nontumorous tissues were obtained.
Procedures:
Experiments were performed with cells in monolayer culture. Cell cultures were inoculated with wild-type myxoma viruses or myxoma viruses lacking the serp2 gene, and measures of cytopathic effects, viral growth kinetics, and cell death and apoptosis were determined.
Results:
Myxoma viruses replicated in cells of many of the primary and established canine tumor cell lines. Canine tumor cells in which expression of activated protein kinase B was upregulated were more permissive to myxoma virus infection than were cells in which expression of activated protein kinase B was not upregulated. Myxoma viruses lacking the serp2 gene caused more cytopathic effects in canine tumor cells because of apoptosis than did wild-type myxoma viruses.
Conclusions And Clinical Relevance:
Results of the present study indicated myxoma viruses lacking the serp2 gene may be useful for treatment of cancer in dogs. Impact for Human Medicine-Results of the present study may be useful for development of novel oncolytic treatments for tumors in humans.
Insights
An attenuated myxoma virus lacking the serp2 gene shows promise as an oncolytic therapy for canine tumors. This modified virus induced greater apoptosis and cytopathic effects in cancer cells, suggesting potential for veterinary and human cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Oncology
- Virology
Background:
- Canine tumors represent a significant health concern.
- Oncolytic virotherapy is an emerging cancer treatment strategy.
- Myxoma virus is a potential candidate for oncolytic virotherapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the oncolytic efficacy of a modified myxoma virus (lacking the serp2 gene) against canine tumor cells.
- To compare the effects of wild-type and modified myxoma viruses on canine cancer cells.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and culture of primary canine tumor cells and established cell lines.
- Inoculation of cell cultures with wild-type and serp2-gene-deleted myxoma viruses.
- Assessment of viral replication, cytopathic effects, apoptosis, and viral growth kinetics.
Main Results:
- Myxoma viruses successfully replicated in various canine tumor cell lines.
- Canine tumor cells with upregulated activated protein kinase B were more susceptible to infection.
- The serp2-gene-deleted myxoma virus induced significantly more apoptosis and cytopathic effects than the wild-type virus.
Conclusions:
- Myxoma viruses lacking the serp2 gene demonstrate potent oncolytic activity in canine tumor cells.
- This modified myxoma virus holds potential for treating canine cancers.
- The findings may inform the development of novel oncolytic therapies for human tumors.
