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Updated: Mar 1, 2026
A Bioluminescent and Fluorescent Orthotopic Syngeneic Murine Model of Androgen-dependent and Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer
Published on: March 6, 2018
Oncolytic alphavirus SFV-VA7 efficiently eradicates subcutaneous and orthotopic human prostate tumours in mice
Miika Martikainen1,2, Janne Ruotsalainen1,3, Johanna Tuomela4
1Department of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio 70211, Finland.
Background:
Despite recent therapeutic and diagnostic advances, prostate cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men in the Western world. Oncolytic viruses that replicate selectively in tumour cells represent a novel treatment candidate for these malignancies.
Methods:
We analysed infectivity of avirulent Semliki Firest virus SFV-VA7 in human prostate cancer cell lines VCaP, LNCaP and 22Rv1 and in nonmalignant prostate epithelial cell line RWPE-1. Therapeutic potency of SFV-VA7 was evaluated in subcutaneous and orthotopic mouse LNCaP xenograft models.
Results:
SFV-VA7 infected and killed the tested human prostate cancer cell lines irrespective of their hormone response status, while the nonmalignant prostate epithelial cell line RWPE-1 proved highly virus resistant. Notably, a single peritoneal dose of SFV-VA7 was sufficient to eradicate all subcutaneous and orthotopic LNCaP tumours.
Conclusions:
Our results indicate that SFV-VA7 is a novel, promising therapeutic virus against prostate cancer warranting further testing in early clinical trials.
Insights
Avirulent Semliki Forest virus SFV-VA7 effectively targets and eliminates prostate cancer cells. A single dose eradicated tumors in mouse models, showing promise for new oncolytic virus therapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncolytic virotherapy
- Cancer research
- Virology
Background:
- Prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer death in men.
- Oncolytic viruses offer a novel therapeutic approach by selectively targeting tumor cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the infectivity and therapeutic potential of Semliki Forest virus SFV-VA7 against prostate cancer.
- To assess SFV-VA7's efficacy in both hormone-sensitive and hormone-refractory prostate cancer cell lines and in vivo models.
Main Methods:
- In vitro analysis of SFV-VA7 infectivity in human prostate cancer cell lines (VCaP, LNCaP, 22Rv1) and a nonmalignant cell line (RWPE-1).
- In vivo evaluation of SFV-VA7 therapeutic potency in subcutaneous and orthotopic LNCaP xenograft mouse models.
Main Results:
- SFV-VA7 demonstrated selective infection and killing of prostate cancer cell lines, sparing nonmalignant cells.
- A single peritoneal administration of SFV-VA7 led to complete eradication of both subcutaneous and orthotopic LNCaP tumors in mice.
Conclusions:
- SFV-VA7 shows significant promise as a novel oncolytic virus for prostate cancer treatment.
- Further investigation in early clinical trials is warranted to explore SFV-VA7's therapeutic application.
