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Research ArticleOncology Free access | 10.1172/JCI32727

Rational strain selection and engineering creates a broad-spectrum, systemically effective oncolytic poxvirus, JX-963

Steve H. Thorne,1,2 Tae-Ho H. Hwang,3 William E. O’Gorman,4 David L. Bartlett,5 Shizuko Sei,6 Femina Kanji,7 Christopher Brown,8 Joel Werier,9 Jin-Han Cho,10 Dong-Ewon Lee,11 Yaohe Wang,12 John Bell,2,7 and David H. Kirn2

1Department of Pediatrics and Bio-X Program, James H. Clark Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA. 2Jennerex Biotherapeutics, San Francisco, California, USA. 3Department of Pharmacology, Medical College of Dong-A University, Busan, Republic of Korea. 4Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA. 5Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. 6Viral Vector Toxicology Section, LHTP, SAIC-Frederick Inc., National Cancer Institute–Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, USA. 7Ottawa Health Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 8Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology Department, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 9Ottawa General Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 10Department of Radiology and 11Department of Pharmacology, Medical College of Dong-A University, Busan, Republic of Korea. 12Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary’s University of London, London, United Kingdom.

Address correspondence to: David H. Kirn, Jennerex Biotherapeutics, One Market Street, San Francisco, California 94105, USA. Phone: (415) 281-8886; Fax: (415) 598-2600; E-mail: dkirn@jennerex.com.

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1Department of Pediatrics and Bio-X Program, James H. Clark Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA. 2Jennerex Biotherapeutics, San Francisco, California, USA. 3Department of Pharmacology, Medical College of Dong-A University, Busan, Republic of Korea. 4Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA. 5Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. 6Viral Vector Toxicology Section, LHTP, SAIC-Frederick Inc., National Cancer Institute–Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, USA. 7Ottawa Health Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 8Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology Department, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 9Ottawa General Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 10Department of Radiology and 11Department of Pharmacology, Medical College of Dong-A University, Busan, Republic of Korea. 12Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary’s University of London, London, United Kingdom.

Address correspondence to: David H. Kirn, Jennerex Biotherapeutics, One Market Street, San Francisco, California 94105, USA. Phone: (415) 281-8886; Fax: (415) 598-2600; E-mail: dkirn@jennerex.com.

Find articles by Hwang, T. in: PubMed | Google Scholar

1Department of Pediatrics and Bio-X Program, James H. Clark Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA. 2Jennerex Biotherapeutics, San Francisco, California, USA. 3Department of Pharmacology, Medical College of Dong-A University, Busan, Republic of Korea. 4Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA. 5Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. 6Viral Vector Toxicology Section, LHTP, SAIC-Frederick Inc., National Cancer Institute–Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, USA. 7Ottawa Health Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 8Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology Department, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 9Ottawa General Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 10Department of Radiology and 11Department of Pharmacology, Medical College of Dong-A University, Busan, Republic of Korea. 12Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary’s University of London, London, United Kingdom.

Address correspondence to: David H. Kirn, Jennerex Biotherapeutics, One Market Street, San Francisco, California 94105, USA. Phone: (415) 281-8886; Fax: (415) 598-2600; E-mail: dkirn@jennerex.com.

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1Department of Pediatrics and Bio-X Program, James H. Clark Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA. 2Jennerex Biotherapeutics, San Francisco, California, USA. 3Department of Pharmacology, Medical College of Dong-A University, Busan, Republic of Korea. 4Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA. 5Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. 6Viral Vector Toxicology Section, LHTP, SAIC-Frederick Inc., National Cancer Institute–Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, USA. 7Ottawa Health Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 8Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology Department, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 9Ottawa General Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 10Department of Radiology and 11Department of Pharmacology, Medical College of Dong-A University, Busan, Republic of Korea. 12Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary’s University of London, London, United Kingdom.

Address correspondence to: David H. Kirn, Jennerex Biotherapeutics, One Market Street, San Francisco, California 94105, USA. Phone: (415) 281-8886; Fax: (415) 598-2600; E-mail: dkirn@jennerex.com.

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1Department of Pediatrics and Bio-X Program, James H. Clark Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA. 2Jennerex Biotherapeutics, San Francisco, California, USA. 3Department of Pharmacology, Medical College of Dong-A University, Busan, Republic of Korea. 4Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA. 5Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. 6Viral Vector Toxicology Section, LHTP, SAIC-Frederick Inc., National Cancer Institute–Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, USA. 7Ottawa Health Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 8Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology Department, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 9Ottawa General Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 10Department of Radiology and 11Department of Pharmacology, Medical College of Dong-A University, Busan, Republic of Korea. 12Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary’s University of London, London, United Kingdom.

Address correspondence to: David H. Kirn, Jennerex Biotherapeutics, One Market Street, San Francisco, California 94105, USA. Phone: (415) 281-8886; Fax: (415) 598-2600; E-mail: dkirn@jennerex.com.

Find articles by Sei, S. in: PubMed | Google Scholar

1Department of Pediatrics and Bio-X Program, James H. Clark Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA. 2Jennerex Biotherapeutics, San Francisco, California, USA. 3Department of Pharmacology, Medical College of Dong-A University, Busan, Republic of Korea. 4Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA. 5Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. 6Viral Vector Toxicology Section, LHTP, SAIC-Frederick Inc., National Cancer Institute–Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, USA. 7Ottawa Health Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 8Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology Department, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 9Ottawa General Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 10Department of Radiology and 11Department of Pharmacology, Medical College of Dong-A University, Busan, Republic of Korea. 12Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary’s University of London, London, United Kingdom.

Address correspondence to: David H. Kirn, Jennerex Biotherapeutics, One Market Street, San Francisco, California 94105, USA. Phone: (415) 281-8886; Fax: (415) 598-2600; E-mail: dkirn@jennerex.com.

Find articles by Kanji, F. in: PubMed | Google Scholar

1Department of Pediatrics and Bio-X Program, James H. Clark Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA. 2Jennerex Biotherapeutics, San Francisco, California, USA. 3Department of Pharmacology, Medical College of Dong-A University, Busan, Republic of Korea. 4Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA. 5Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. 6Viral Vector Toxicology Section, LHTP, SAIC-Frederick Inc., National Cancer Institute–Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, USA. 7Ottawa Health Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 8Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology Department, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 9Ottawa General Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 10Department of Radiology and 11Department of Pharmacology, Medical College of Dong-A University, Busan, Republic of Korea. 12Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary’s University of London, London, United Kingdom.

Address correspondence to: David H. Kirn, Jennerex Biotherapeutics, One Market Street, San Francisco, California 94105, USA. Phone: (415) 281-8886; Fax: (415) 598-2600; E-mail: dkirn@jennerex.com.

Find articles by Brown, C. in: PubMed | Google Scholar

1Department of Pediatrics and Bio-X Program, James H. Clark Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA. 2Jennerex Biotherapeutics, San Francisco, California, USA. 3Department of Pharmacology, Medical College of Dong-A University, Busan, Republic of Korea. 4Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA. 5Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. 6Viral Vector Toxicology Section, LHTP, SAIC-Frederick Inc., National Cancer Institute–Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, USA. 7Ottawa Health Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 8Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology Department, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 9Ottawa General Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 10Department of Radiology and 11Department of Pharmacology, Medical College of Dong-A University, Busan, Republic of Korea. 12Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary’s University of London, London, United Kingdom.

Address correspondence to: David H. Kirn, Jennerex Biotherapeutics, One Market Street, San Francisco, California 94105, USA. Phone: (415) 281-8886; Fax: (415) 598-2600; E-mail: dkirn@jennerex.com.

Find articles by Werier, J. in: PubMed | Google Scholar

1Department of Pediatrics and Bio-X Program, James H. Clark Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA. 2Jennerex Biotherapeutics, San Francisco, California, USA. 3Department of Pharmacology, Medical College of Dong-A University, Busan, Republic of Korea. 4Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA. 5Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. 6Viral Vector Toxicology Section, LHTP, SAIC-Frederick Inc., National Cancer Institute–Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, USA. 7Ottawa Health Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 8Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology Department, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 9Ottawa General Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 10Department of Radiology and 11Department of Pharmacology, Medical College of Dong-A University, Busan, Republic of Korea. 12Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary’s University of London, London, United Kingdom.

Address correspondence to: David H. Kirn, Jennerex Biotherapeutics, One Market Street, San Francisco, California 94105, USA. Phone: (415) 281-8886; Fax: (415) 598-2600; E-mail: dkirn@jennerex.com.

Find articles by Cho, J. in: PubMed | Google Scholar

1Department of Pediatrics and Bio-X Program, James H. Clark Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA. 2Jennerex Biotherapeutics, San Francisco, California, USA. 3Department of Pharmacology, Medical College of Dong-A University, Busan, Republic of Korea. 4Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA. 5Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. 6Viral Vector Toxicology Section, LHTP, SAIC-Frederick Inc., National Cancer Institute–Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, USA. 7Ottawa Health Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 8Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology Department, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 9Ottawa General Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 10Department of Radiology and 11Department of Pharmacology, Medical College of Dong-A University, Busan, Republic of Korea. 12Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary’s University of London, London, United Kingdom.

Address correspondence to: David H. Kirn, Jennerex Biotherapeutics, One Market Street, San Francisco, California 94105, USA. Phone: (415) 281-8886; Fax: (415) 598-2600; E-mail: dkirn@jennerex.com.

Find articles by Lee, D. in: PubMed | Google Scholar

1Department of Pediatrics and Bio-X Program, James H. Clark Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA. 2Jennerex Biotherapeutics, San Francisco, California, USA. 3Department of Pharmacology, Medical College of Dong-A University, Busan, Republic of Korea. 4Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA. 5Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. 6Viral Vector Toxicology Section, LHTP, SAIC-Frederick Inc., National Cancer Institute–Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, USA. 7Ottawa Health Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 8Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology Department, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 9Ottawa General Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 10Department of Radiology and 11Department of Pharmacology, Medical College of Dong-A University, Busan, Republic of Korea. 12Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary’s University of London, London, United Kingdom.

Address correspondence to: David H. Kirn, Jennerex Biotherapeutics, One Market Street, San Francisco, California 94105, USA. Phone: (415) 281-8886; Fax: (415) 598-2600; E-mail: dkirn@jennerex.com.

Find articles by Wang, Y. in: PubMed | Google Scholar

1Department of Pediatrics and Bio-X Program, James H. Clark Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA. 2Jennerex Biotherapeutics, San Francisco, California, USA. 3Department of Pharmacology, Medical College of Dong-A University, Busan, Republic of Korea. 4Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA. 5Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. 6Viral Vector Toxicology Section, LHTP, SAIC-Frederick Inc., National Cancer Institute–Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, USA. 7Ottawa Health Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 8Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology Department, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 9Ottawa General Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 10Department of Radiology and 11Department of Pharmacology, Medical College of Dong-A University, Busan, Republic of Korea. 12Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary’s University of London, London, United Kingdom.

Address correspondence to: David H. Kirn, Jennerex Biotherapeutics, One Market Street, San Francisco, California 94105, USA. Phone: (415) 281-8886; Fax: (415) 598-2600; E-mail: dkirn@jennerex.com.

Find articles by Bell, J. in: PubMed | Google Scholar

1Department of Pediatrics and Bio-X Program, James H. Clark Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA. 2Jennerex Biotherapeutics, San Francisco, California, USA. 3Department of Pharmacology, Medical College of Dong-A University, Busan, Republic of Korea. 4Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA. 5Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. 6Viral Vector Toxicology Section, LHTP, SAIC-Frederick Inc., National Cancer Institute–Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, USA. 7Ottawa Health Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 8Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology Department, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 9Ottawa General Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 10Department of Radiology and 11Department of Pharmacology, Medical College of Dong-A University, Busan, Republic of Korea. 12Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary’s University of London, London, United Kingdom.

Address correspondence to: David H. Kirn, Jennerex Biotherapeutics, One Market Street, San Francisco, California 94105, USA. Phone: (415) 281-8886; Fax: (415) 598-2600; E-mail: dkirn@jennerex.com.

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Published October 25, 2007 - More info

J Clin Invest. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI32727.
© 2007 The American Society for Clinical Investigation
Published October 25, 2007 - Version history
Received: May 18, 2007; Accepted: August 15, 2007
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Abstract

Replication-selective oncolytic viruses (virotherapeutics) are being developed as novel cancer therapies with unique mechanisms of action, but limitations in i.v. delivery to tumors and systemic efficacy have highlighted the need for improved agents for this therapeutic class to realize its potential. Here we describe the rational, stepwise design and evaluation of a systemically effective virotherapeutic (JX-963). We first identified a highly potent poxvirus strain that also trafficked efficiently to human tumors after i.v. administration. This strain was then engineered to target cancer cells with activation of the transcription factor E2F and the EGFR pathway by deletion of the thymidine kinase and vaccinia growth factor genes. For induction of tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes, we further engineered the virus to express human GM-CSF. JX-963 was more potent than the previously used virotherapeutic Onyx-015 adenovirus and as potent as wild-type vaccinia in all cancer cell lines tested. Significant cancer selectivity of JX-963 was demonstrated in vitro in human tumor cell lines, in vivo in tumor-bearing rabbits, and in primary human surgical samples ex vivo. Intravenous administration led to systemic efficacy against both primary carcinomas and widespread organ-based metastases in immunocompetent mice and rabbits. JX-963 therefore holds promise as a rationally designed, targeted virotherapeutic for the systemic treatment of cancer in humans and warrants clinical testing.

Version history
  • Version 1 (October 25, 2007): No description
  • Version 2 (November 1, 2007): No description

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