Abstract 591: Host cell DNA damage and inflammation responses determine oncolytic adenovirus efficacy in ovarian cancer

Abstract

Abstract Introduction. Oncolytic adenoviruses show promise as a cancer treatment, by replicating selectively within malignant cells. Viral replication requires multiple cell cycle checkpoints to be overcome. Ovarian cancer sensitivity to viral cytotoxicity varies greatly, even between cells with similar infectivity and intracellular virion production. Viruses also generate acute inflammatory responses with production of cytokines, especially TNF-α. We investigated the role of cellular DNA damage in efficacy of adenovirus dl922-947 in ovarian cancer and also whether inhibition of TNF-α augments activity. Methods. Host DNA damage and repair pathways were assessed in ovarian cancer lines, TOV21G, IGROV1 and A2780CP, which cover three-log range of virus sensitivity. The ATR-chk1 pathway was inhibited using siRNA and UCN-01 treatment. In addition, inflammatory cytokine responses to dl922-947 were assessed in vitro and in xenograft models. TNF-α was inhibited using shRNA and monoclonal antibodies. Results. Oncolytic adenovirus cytotoxicity is associated with extensive genomic DNA damage. Following infection, sensitive, but not resistant, ovarian cancer cells activate cdc25a and over-replicate genomic DNA, creating extensive double-strand breaks. Inhibition of ATR-chk1 in resistant cells augments cdc25a activity and increases genomic DNA over-replication. This enhances cytotoxicity without increasing E1A expression or viral replication. In addition, dl922-947 induces transcription of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 in ovarian cancer cells and xenograft-bearing mice prior to any viral gene expression and host NF-κB activation. Both RNAi-mediated TNF-α knockdown and anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibody treatment increase virus cytotoxicity in vitro and in IGROV1 intraperitoneal xenografts. The increased efficacy results from suppression of cIAP1 transcription in malignant cells and a consequent increase in caspase-mediated apoptosis. Conclusions. A phase I trial of dl922-947 in women with relapsed ovarian cancer is planned for 2011. Host cell DNA damage is a key determinant of oncolytic adenoviral activity, whilst TNF-α acts as a survival factor in infected cells. Inhibiting both repair of DNA damage and TNF-α could improve anti-tumour activity in future clinical trials. Note: This abstract was not presented at the AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010 because the presenter was unable to attend. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 591.