Synergistic antitumor effects of immune cell-viral biotherapy

SH Thorne, RS Negrin, CH Contag - Science, 2006 - science.org
SH Thorne, RS Negrin, CH Contag
Science, 2006science.org
Targeted biological therapies hold tremendous potential for treatment of cancer, yet their use
has been limited by constraints on delivery and effective tumor targeting. We combined an
immune effector cell population [cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells] with an oncolytic viral
therapy to achieve directed delivery to, and regression of, tumors in both immunodeficient
and immunocompetent mouse models. Preinfection of CIK cells with modified vaccinia virus
resulted in a prolonged eclipse phase with the virus remaining hidden until interaction with …
Targeted biological therapies hold tremendous potential for treatment of cancer, yet their use has been limited by constraints on delivery and effective tumor targeting. We combined an immune effector cell population [cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells] with an oncolytic viral therapy to achieve directed delivery to, and regression of, tumors in both immunodeficient and immunocompetent mouse models. Preinfection of CIK cells with modified vaccinia virus resulted in a prolonged eclipse phase with the virus remaining hidden until interaction with the tumor. Whole-body imaging revealed that the cells retained their ability to traffic to and to infiltrate the tumor effectively before releasing the virus. These results illustrate the potential of combining biotherapeutics for synergistic effects that more effectively treat cancer.
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