Targeting Small Cell Lung Cancer by Systemic Delivery of an Oncolytic Virus Via a Stem Cell Carrier
Abstract
Lung cancer is one of the most lethal cancers in the United States. Most patients become resistant to chemo- and radiotherapy, leading to cancer progression and death. Killing cancer cells using viruses (virotherapy) is a promising approach that enhances the immune system’s recognition and destruction of cancer cells. Clinical trials have shown that this approach is safe, but it is limited by the rapid inactivation of the virus by the immune system. Our goal is to overcome this barrier by delivering cancer cell-killing viruses using clinically safe neural stem cells, which we have determined can selectively migrate to tumors throughout the body. We have demonstrated that our cells can protect viruses from inactivation by the immune system and improve delivery to tumors. Once delivered, the viruses infect tumor cells and continue to multiply, with greater tumor-killing effects until normal tissue is reached. We successfully developed and are conducting clinical trials using these cells to deliver an adenovirus to selectively kill brain cancer cells. We have tested another novel oncolytic virus against different cancer cell lines and found it potent against lung cancer cell lines. In the proposed study, we will modify these cells to express this novel oncolytic virus and then test it in mouse models of lung cancer. We hope our novel approach will improve clinical outcomes, minimize toxic treatment side effects, and improve the quality of life for patients with advanced lung cancer.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 04, 2024
- Source ID
- HT94252310045
Entities
People
- Mohamed Hammad
Organizations
- Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope
- United States Army