Evidence for Oncolytic Viral Eradication of Cholesteatoma In Vitro

Cholesteatomas (CHSTs) are congenital or acquired lesions of the temporal bone that are associated with significant morbidity. We hypothesized that an oncolytic herpes simplex virus (oHSV) could preferentially eradicate primary human CHST cells in vitro and that this virus will replicate selectively and efficiently in CHST cells when compared with control cells. In this work, primary human CHST cells were cultured from surgically collected tissue. Cholesteatomas and control cells were grown and infected by oncolytic oHSV. More than 80% CHST cells versus <5% control cells were killed by oHSV. The oHSV showed a significant enhanced cytotoxic effect against CHST cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Therefore, this novel therapy has promise as a future treatment to minimize the spread and recurrence of CHST.