US20070003520A1 - Mutant viruses - Google Patents

Mutant viruses Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20070003520A1
US20070003520A1 US10/579,622 US57962206A US2007003520A1 US 20070003520 A1 US20070003520 A1 US 20070003520A1 US 57962206 A US57962206 A US 57962206A US 2007003520 A1 US2007003520 A1 US 2007003520A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
herpes simplex
simplex virus
nucleic acid
sequence
sirna
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US10/579,622
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Susanne Brown
Bhuvanesh Singh
Ian Ganly
Paul Dunn
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Crusade Laboratories Ltd
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GBGB0326798.6A external-priority patent/GB0326798D0/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US10/579,622 priority Critical patent/US20070003520A1/en
Assigned to SLOAN-KETTERING INSTITUTE FOR CANCER RESEARCH reassignment SLOAN-KETTERING INSTITUTE FOR CANCER RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: SINGH, BHUVANESH
Assigned to CRUSADE LABORATORIES LIMITED reassignment CRUSADE LABORATORIES LIMITED ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: BROWN, SUSANNE MOIRA
Assigned to CRUSADE LABORATORIES LIMITED reassignment CRUSADE LABORATORIES LIMITED ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: DUNN, PAUL
Assigned to SLOAN-KETTERING INSTITUTE FOR CANCER RESEARCH reassignment SLOAN-KETTERING INSTITUTE FOR CANCER RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: GANLY, IAN
Publication of US20070003520A1 publication Critical patent/US20070003520A1/en
Priority to US12/436,382 priority patent/US8530437B2/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
    • C12N15/00—Mutation or genetic engineering; DNA or RNA concerning genetic engineering, vectors, e.g. plasmids, or their isolation, preparation or purification; Use of hosts therefor
    • C12N15/09—Recombinant DNA-technology
    • C12N15/11—DNA or RNA fragments; Modified forms thereof; Non-coding nucleic acids having a biological activity
    • C12N15/113—Non-coding nucleic acids modulating the expression of genes, e.g. antisense oligonucleotides; Antisense DNA or RNA; Triplex- forming oligonucleotides; Catalytic nucleic acids, e.g. ribozymes; Nucleic acids used in co-suppression or gene silencing
    • C12N15/1135—Non-coding nucleic acids modulating the expression of genes, e.g. antisense oligonucleotides; Antisense DNA or RNA; Triplex- forming oligonucleotides; Catalytic nucleic acids, e.g. ribozymes; Nucleic acids used in co-suppression or gene silencing against oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K38/00—Medicinal preparations containing peptides
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P35/00—Antineoplastic agents
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
    • C12N15/00—Mutation or genetic engineering; DNA or RNA concerning genetic engineering, vectors, e.g. plasmids, or their isolation, preparation or purification; Use of hosts therefor
    • C12N15/09—Recombinant DNA-technology
    • C12N15/63—Introduction of foreign genetic material using vectors; Vectors; Use of hosts therefor; Regulation of expression
    • C12N15/79—Vectors or expression systems specially adapted for eukaryotic hosts
    • C12N15/85—Vectors or expression systems specially adapted for eukaryotic hosts for animal cells
    • C12N15/86—Viral vectors
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
    • C12N2710/00—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA dsDNA viruses
    • C12N2710/00011—Details
    • C12N2710/16011—Herpesviridae
    • C12N2710/16611—Simplexvirus, e.g. human herpesvirus 1, 2
    • C12N2710/16641—Use of virus, viral particle or viral elements as a vector
    • C12N2710/16643—Use of virus, viral particle or viral elements as a vector viral genome or elements thereof as genetic vector
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
    • C12N2840/00—Vectors comprising a special translation-regulating system
    • C12N2840/20—Vectors comprising a special translation-regulating system translation of more than one cistron
    • C12N2840/203—Vectors comprising a special translation-regulating system translation of more than one cistron having an IRES

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to materials and methods relating to the squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene (SCCRO) and to mutant herpes simplex viruses.
  • SCCRO squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene
  • the herpes simplex virus (HSV) genome comprises two covalently linked segments, designated long (L) and short (S). Each segment contains a unique sequence flanked by a pair of inverted terminal repeat sequences.
  • the long repeat (RL or R L ) and the short repeat (RS or R S ) are distinct.
  • the HSV ICP34.5 (also ⁇ 34.5) gene which has been extensively studied 1,6,7,8 , has been sequenced in HSV-1 strains F 9 and syn17+ 3 and in HSV-2 strain HG52 4 .
  • One copy of the ICP34.5 gene is located within each of the RL repeat regions.
  • Mutants inactivating both copies of the ICP34.5 gene i.e. null mutants
  • HSV-1 strain 17 mutant 17162 (HSV1716) or the mutants R3616 or R4009 in strain F 5 are known to lack neurovirulence, i.e. be avirulent, and have utility as both gene delivery vectors or in the treatment of tumours by oncolysis.
  • HSV-1 strain 17 mutant 1716 has a 759 bp deletion in each copy of the ICP34.5 gene located within the BamHI s restriction fragment of each RL repeat.
  • ICP34.5 null mutants such as 1716 are, in effect, first-generation oncolytic viruses. Most tumours exhibit individual characteristics and the ability of a broad spectrum first generation oncolytic virus to replicate in or provide an effective treatment for all tumour types is not guaranteed.
  • HSV 1716 is described in EP 0571410 and WO 92/13943 and has been deposited on 28 Jan. 1992 at the European Collection of Animal Cell Cultures, Vaccine Research and Production Laboratories, Public Health Laboratory Services, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 OJG, United Kingdom under accession number V92012803 in accordance with the provisions of the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure (herein referred to as the ‘Budapest Treaty’).
  • Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck afflicts an estimated 125,000 patients annually in Europe, North America and the Far East.
  • Primary therapy for localized disease is surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy. Tumours recur in approximately one-third of patients. Once the cancer has recurred and/or metastasized, the patient is considered incurable.
  • Combination chemotherapy induces responses in 30-50% of patients but there is no clear impact on survival. There remains an urgent need for more effective therapies 12,13 .
  • HSV1716 17 is a deletion mutant of herpes simplex virus which fails to synthesise the virulence protein ICP34.5. It has been shown that HSV1716 replicates in actively dividing cells but not in resting or terminally differentiated cells 18,19 . In vivo, HSV1716 administration has been carried out in mouse models of a range of cancers including melanoma, teratocarcinoma, glioma, medulloblastoma and mesothelioma.
  • HSV1716 has been used in Phase 1 trials in patients with glioblastoma Wforme (GBM) 26 , melanoma and head and neck cancer. No toxicity has been experienced and patients who were seropositive pre HSV1716 seroconverted and evidence of virus replication contained within tumours has been obtained.
  • GBM glioblastoma Wforme
  • Oncoseq nucleic acid sequence was described in U.S. Ser. No. 10/361,725 having publication number US 2004/0009541, published on 15 Jan. 2004. This document is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. A polynucleotide sequence including an open reading frame of 780 nucleotides for Oncoseq and the amino acid sequence of the 259-residue polypeptide encoded thereby was reported.
  • Oncoseq alleles to be oncogenes identified in primary squamous cell carcinoma tissues as being colocalised with the highest gene duplication peak within the 3q26.3 locus using a positional cloning approach with Oncoseq being highly duplicated in those carcinomas.
  • Overexpression of Oncoseq is described to be correlated with gene duplication, aggressive clinical behaviour and malignant transformation in vitro, making it a strong candidate as the target for 3q amplification.
  • the gene is described to be highly oncogenic and to have a basic region-helix-loop-helix-leucine zipper motif, suggesting it may function as a transcription factor.
  • RNAi utilises small double-stranded RNA molecules (dsRNA) to target messenger RNA (mRNA), the precursor molecule that cells use to translate the genetic code into functional proteins.
  • dsRNA small double-stranded RNA molecules
  • mRNA messenger RNA
  • dsRNA is processed into short-interfering RNA (siRNA) duplexes of 21 nucleotides in length, and it is these molecules which recognise and target homologous (endogenous) mRNA sequences for enzymatic degradation (by complementary base-pair binding), resulting in gene silencing.
  • siRNA short-interfering RNA
  • RNAi over other gene-targeting strategies such as anti-sense oligonucleotides
  • its relative specificity the relative specificity
  • its enhanced efficacy only nanomolar quantities of siRNA are required for efficient gene-silencing
  • siRNA treatment feeds into a natural RNAi pathway that is inherent to all cells.
  • siRNA The success of gene-silencing by siRNA can be highly variable depending on the gene target and cell type being targeted.
  • the inventors have used plasmid RL1.dTRES-GFP to generate a shuttle vector, designated RL1.dCMV-asSCCRO-GFP, containing the human antisense squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene (SCCRO) arranged in an orientation downstream of a CMV IE promoter to produce antisense RNA transcripts for use in antisense therapeutic methods.
  • RL1.dCMV-asSCCRO-GFP containing the human antisense squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene (SCCRO) arranged in an orientation downstream of a CMV IE promoter to produce antisense RNA transcripts for use in antisense therapeutic methods.
  • SCCRO human antisense squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene
  • HSV1716/CMV-asSCCRO/GFP also called HSV1716asSCCRO.
  • the genome of this mutant HSV comprises the nucleic acid encoding heterologous (i.e.
  • non-HSV originating) antisense SCCRO inserted at one or each ICP34.5 locus, disrupting the ICP34.5 protein coding sequence such that the ICP34.5 gene is non-functional and cannot express a functional ICP34.5 gene product.
  • the generated HSV is capable of expressing an antisense RNA transcript under control of the CMV IE promoter which is capable of inhibiting the action of the SCCRO gene by binding to sense SCCRO nucleotide sequences, e.g. SCCRO mRNA or genomic SCCRO.
  • This virus retains the oncolytic activity of HSV-1 strain 17 mutant 1716 and can be used in targeted antisense nucleotide delivery strategies and therapeutic methods.
  • the inventors instead of integrating a nucleic acid encoding an antisense, the inventors have integrated an siRNA in the genome of a herpes simplex virus.
  • This siRNA is preferably heterologous to the herpes simplex virus and may be expressed from the herpes simplex virus genome.
  • the integrated nucleic acid encodes an siRNA capable of targeting and repressing or inhibiting expression of the functional SCCRO gene product. When expressed, the siRNA operates to silence, wholly or in part, expression of the functional SCCRO gene product.
  • heterologous asSCCRO expressed by an herpes simplex virus may be useful in RNA based antisense therapeutic techniques for repression or silencing of the SCCRO gene product or of it's expressed function.
  • siRNA expressed by an herpes simplex virus according to the present invention may be useful in siRNA based therapeutic techniques for tissue specific repression or silencing of the SCCRO gene product or of it's expressed function.
  • the present invention relates to (i) materials and methods relating to the squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene; and (ii) mutant herpes simplex viruses.
  • an attenuated replication competent HSV expressing antisense SCCRO namely, HSV1716asSCCRO, which may be used in the treatment of squamous cell cancer, particularly head and neck squamous cell cancer.
  • the present invention further provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising HSV1716asSCCRO and the use of such virus and/or composition in the treatment of cancer.
  • an herpes simplex virus wherein the herpes simplex virus genome comprises nucleic acid encoding an antisense to the squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene (asSCCRO).
  • Said nucleic acid may encode an antisense to a mammalian squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene, more preferably an antisense to a human squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene.
  • said nucleic acid may encode a nucleotide sequence complementary to:
  • said nucleic acid may encode a nucleotide sequence having at least 60% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence complementary to:
  • said degree of sequence identity may be at least 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99%.
  • the fragment referred to at (iii) may comprise at least 20 nucleotides and may be limited to no more than 900 nucleotides. Identity of sequences is determined across the entire length of a given nucleotide sequence. Where sequences are of different length, sequence identity of the shorter sequence is determined over the entire length of the longer sequence.
  • said nucleic acid may be selected as one that hybridises to:
  • the genome of Herpes simplex viruses according to the present invention may further comprises a regulatory sequence operably linked to said nucleic acid encoding an antisense to the squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene, wherein said regulatory sequence has a role in controlling transcription of said siRNA.
  • herpes simplex virus wherein the herpes simplex virus genome comprises nucleic acid encoding a short interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) molecule that is capable of repressing or silencing expression of the squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene (SCCRO) nucleic acid or polypeptide.
  • siRNA short interfering ribonucleic acid
  • Said siRNA may repress or silence expression of a mammalian SCCRO, more preferably of a human SCCRO.
  • Said nucleic acid encoding siRNA may comprise a nucleic acid of between 10 and 50 nucleotides in length and may have the sequence of SEQ ID No.5 or the complement thereof.
  • said nucleic acid encoding siRNA may comprise a nucleic acid of between 10 and 50 nucleotides in length and may have at least 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity to SEQ ID No.5 or the complement thereof. Identity of sequences is determined across the entire length of a given nucleotide sequence. Where sequences are of different length, sequence identity of the shorter sequence is determined over the entire length of the longer sequence.
  • said nucleic acid encoding siRNA may be selected as one that hybridises to the nucleic acid of SEQ ID No. 5 or its complement under high or very high stringency conditions.
  • the genome of said herpes simplex virus may further comprise a regulatory sequence operably linked to said siRNA, wherein said regulatory sequence has a role in controlling transcription of said siRNA.
  • the nucleic acid encoding asSCCRO or said siRNA may be located in at least one RL1 locus of the herpes simplex virus genome. Suitably it may be located in, or overlap, at least one of the ICP34.5 protein coding sequences of the herpes simplex virus genome. The nucleic acid may be located in both (usually this is all) copies of the RL1 locus or ICP34.5 protein coding sequence.
  • the herpes simplex virus is preferably a mutant and may be a mutant of HSV-1 or HSV-2, more preferably of one of HSV-1 strains 17, F or HSV-2 strain HG52.
  • the herpes simplex virus may be a further mutant of HSV-1 strain 17 mutant 1716.
  • herpes simplex virus may be a gene specific null mutant, such as an ICP34.5 null mutant.
  • the herpes simplex virus may lack at least one expressible ICP34.5 gene.
  • the herpes simplex virus may lack only one expressible ICP34.5 gene.
  • herpes simplex virus may be non-neurovirulent.
  • nucleic acid encoding the asSCCRO or said siRNA may form part of a nucleic acid cassette permanently integrated in the herpes simplex virus genome, said cassette comprising nucleic acid encoding:
  • a second regulatory nucleotide sequence may be located upstream (5′) of the nucleic acid encoding asSCCRO or said siRNA, wherein the regulatory nucleotide sequence has a role in controlling and regulating transcription of the nucleic acid encoding the asSCCRO or siRNA and hence expression of the resulting transcript.
  • the regulatory sequences may comprise selected promoter or enhancer elements known to the person skilled in the art, e.g. the CytoMegalovirus (CMV) or phosphoglycerokinase (PGK) promoters.
  • the components of the cassette are preferably arranged in a predetermined order.
  • the nucleic acid encoding the asSCCRO is arranged upstream (i.e. 5′) of the ribosome binding site and the ribosome binding site is arranged upstream (i.e. 5′) of the marker.
  • a single transcript may be produced from the cassette comprising a first cistron comprising the asSCCRO and a second cistron encoding the marker wherein the ribosome binding site is located between the cistrons.
  • a transcription product of this cassette may be a bi- or poly-cistronic transcript comprising a first cistron encoded by the nucleic acid encoding the asSCCRO and a second cistron encoding the marker nucleic acid wherein the ribosome binding site is located between said first and second cistrons.
  • the nucleic acid encoding the siRNA is arranged upstream (i.e. 5′) of a first regulatory nucleotide sequence and the first regulatory nucleotide sequence is arranged upstream (i.e. 5′) of the marker.
  • the cassette may disrupt a protein coding sequence of the herpes simplex virus genome resulting in inactivation of the respective gene product.
  • Nucleic acid encoding a selected antisense DNA that is DNA corresponding to a gene component (e.g. regulatory sequence, 5′ UTR, 3′UTR or protein coding sequence) or fragment of a gene component, is inserted in the cassette in an orientation such that upon transcription an antisense RNA is obtained.
  • a gene component e.g. regulatory sequence, 5′ UTR, 3′UTR or protein coding sequence
  • the expressed product of the cassette may ultimately be an antisense nucleic acid, preferably RNA.
  • One suitable ribosome binding site comprises a ribosome entry site permitting entry of a ribosome to the transcribed mRNA encoded by the nucleic acid of the cassette such that the ribosome binds to the translation start signal.
  • the ribosome entry site is an internal ribosome entry site (IRES), more preferably an encephalomyocarditis virus IRES, permitting cap-independent initiation of translation.
  • IRES internal ribosome entry site
  • the IRES thus enables translation of a coding sequence located internally of a bi- or poly-cistronic mRNA, i.e. of a cistron located downstream of an adjacent cistron on a single transcript.
  • the marker is a defined nucleotide sequence coding for a polypeptide which can be expressed in a cell line (e.g. BHK cells) infected with mutant herpes simplex virus into which the cassette has been recombined.
  • a cell line e.g. BHK cells
  • the function of the marker is to enable identification of virus plaques containing mutant virus transformed with the cassette.
  • the marker is preferably a detectable marker, more preferably an expressible marker polypeptide or protein comprising at least the coding sequence for the selected polypeptide or protein.
  • the nucleic acid encoding the marker may further comprise regulatory sequence upstream and/or downstream of the coding sequence having a role in control of transcription of the marker mRNA.
  • Preferred markers include the Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) protein coding sequence or gene, preferably the enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (EGFP) protein coding sequence or gene.
  • the marker may comprise a defined nucleotide sequence which can be detected by hybridisation under high stringency conditions with a corresponding labelled nucleic acid probe, e.g. using a fluorescent- or radio-label.
  • the cassette may also comprise nucleic acid encoding a polyadenylation (“polyA”) sequence, which sequence is preferably located downstream (3′) of the nucleic acid encoding the marker.
  • polyA polyadenylation
  • One preferred polyA sequence is the Simian Virus 40 (SV40) polyadenylation sequence.
  • SV40 Simian Virus 40
  • the preferred location of the polyA sequence within the cassette is immediately downstream (i.e. 3′) of the marker.
  • antisense nucleic acid is meant a nucleic acid:
  • the target nucleic acid may be an SCCRO polynucleotide sequence (e.g. gene sequence), the polynucleotide coding sequence for the SCCRO polypeptide or protein, or a part/fragment of the gene or polypeptide coding sequence.
  • the antisense nucleic acid may be useful in binding the target nucleic acid (e.g. the SCCRO genomic coding sequence or mRNA transcript) and may be used as an inhibitor to prevent or disrupt the normal expression, activity, folding or binding of the target nucleic acid.
  • the substantial sequence identity is preferably at least 50% sequence identity, more preferably one of at least 60, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 92, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identity. Identity of sequences is determined across the entire length of a given nucleotide sequence. Where sequences are of different length, sequence identity of the shorter sequence is determined over the entire length of the longer sequence.
  • the antisense nucleic acid may comprise all or a fragment of the antisense to the squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene (asSCCRO), preferably it is an antisense to the human SCCRO.
  • asSCCRO squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene
  • the nucleic acid encoding the asSCCRO which may form part of the inserted cassette may encode a full length transcript of the antisense nucleotide sequence to the SCCRO. That full length antisense transcript may be a sequence complementary to one of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID No.1 or SEQ ID No.3 or their complementary sequences. Alternatively, the nucleic acid may encode one or more fragments of the full length antisense transcript.
  • a fragment may comprise a nucleotide sequence encoding at least 10% of the corresponding full length sequence, more preferably the fragment comprises at least 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98 or 99% of the corresponding full length sequence.
  • the fragment comprises at least, i.e.
  • the fragment has a minimum length of, 20 nucleotides, more preferably at least 30, 40, 50, 100, 150, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900 2000, 2100, 2200, 2300., 2400, 2500, 2600, 2700, 2800, 2900, 3000, 3100, 3200, 3300, 3400, 3500, 3600, 3700, 3800, 3900 or 4000 nucleotides.
  • the fragment may have a maximum length, i.e.
  • the fragment length may be anywhere between said minimum and maximum length.
  • a full length transcript comprises a minimum of the contiguous sequence of nucleotides forming an antisense strand to the corresponding complete nucleotide sequence encoding the full amino acid sequence of the SCCRO gene product or to is compliment.
  • the complete nucleotide sequence of the SCCRO gene product may comprise the region of SEQ ID No.1 or SEQ ID No.3 respectively encoding the polypeptide of SEQ ID No. 2 or SEQ ID No.4.
  • Preferred antisense nucleic acids may single stranded and may be DNA or RNA.
  • Preferred siRNA may be single or double stranded and may comprise single stranded nucleic acids capable of forming duplex structures by stem-loop formation and self-binding of complementary nucleotides.
  • Preferred siRNA may include RNA molecules having a sequence encoded by SEQ ID No. 5 or its complement and nucleic acids having a sequence identity of at least 60% to SEQ ID No. 5 or a complementary sequence thereof, and more preferably having at least 70, 80, 85, 90, 95% or 100% sequence identity. Identity of sequences is determined across the entire length of a given nucleotide sequence. Where sequences are of different length, sequence identity of the shorter sequence is determined over the entire length of the longer sequence.
  • Preferred siRNA or nucleic acid encoding preferred siRNA may comprise nucleotide sequences heterologous to the selected HSV strain being modified, i.e. the siRNA or nucleic acid sequence encoding the siRNA does not occur in or originate from the parental, unmodified wild-type, virus.
  • Herpes simplex viruses may contain nucleic acid, encoding siRNA molecules, which hybridise with SEQ ID No 5 or its complement under very high, high or intermediate stringency conditions.
  • siRNA molecules encoded by nucleic acid molecules integrated in the genome of Herpes simplex viruses according to the present invention may be of any length, but preferred siRNA molecules are small and may comprise at least 10 nucleotides and no more than 50 nucleotides.
  • Herpes simplex virus according to the present invention may encode an siRNA which is a fragment of the siRNA encoded by SEQ ID No.5.
  • Particularly suitable siRNA will have a single strand length in the range 10 to 30 nucleotides and more suitably in the range 15 to 25 nucleotides.
  • Selected siRNA molecules may be any of 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 or 25 nucleotides in length.
  • SiRNA molecules which fold to form their own duplex structures, e.g. by stem-loop formation will thus have an unfolded single strand length of about two times the number or range recited above and siRNA and nucleic acid encoding such siRNA may be particularly preferred.
  • Herpes simplex viruses may contain nucleic acid encoding siRNA molecules having one or more of these sequences.
  • Mutant herpes simplex viruses of the present invention may be generated by site directed insertion of a nucleic acid cassette into the viral genome, more preferably by homologous recombination.
  • the viruses of the invention are not limited to Herpes simplex viruses obtained in this way.
  • herpes simplex viruses according to the present invention are provided for use in a method of medical treatment. Suitably they are provided for use in the treatment of disease. Preferably they are provided for use in the treatment of cancer. Suitably they may be provided for use in the oncolytic treatment of cancer/a tumour.
  • the use of herpes simplex viruses according to the present invention in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of cancer is also provided.
  • medicaments comprising herpes simplex virus mutants according to the present invention for use in oncotherapy and methods of treating tumours comprising administering to a patient in need of treatment an effective amount of a mutant HSV or a medicament comprising or derived from such HSV are also provided.
  • Methods of lysing or killing tumour cells in vitro or in vivo comprising the step of administering to a patient in need of treatment an amount of an Herpes simplex virus according to the present invention are also provided.
  • a medicament, pharmaceutical composition or vaccine comprising an Herpes simplex virus according to the present invention is also provided.
  • the medicament, pharmaceutical composition or vaccine may further comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, adjuvant or diluent.
  • the present invention may also include the following aspects which may be provided in combination with any of the other aspects and features described.
  • an herpes simplex virus wherein the genome of said virus comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding an antisense to the squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene (asSCCRO) in at least one of the long repeat regions (R L ).
  • an herpes simplex virus wherein the genome of said virus comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding an antisense to the squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene (asSCCRO) and wherein the herpes simplex virus is non-neurovirulent.
  • an herpes simplex virus for use in the treatment of a tumour, wherein the genome of said virus comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding an antisense to the squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene (asSCCRO) in at least one of the long repeat regions (R L ).
  • an herpes simplex virus for use in the treatment of a tumour, wherein the genome of said virus comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding an antisense to the squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene (asSCCRO) and wherein the herpes simplex virus is non-neurovirulent.
  • asSCCRO squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene
  • an herpes simplex virus wherein the genome of said virus comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding an antisense to the squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene (asSCCRO) in at least one of the long repeat regions (R L ), in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of cancer is provided.
  • asSCCRO squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene
  • an herpes simplex virus wherein the genome of said virus comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding an antisense to the squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene (asSCCRO) and wherein the herpes simplex virus is non-neurovirulent, in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of cancer is provided.
  • asSCCRO squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene
  • a method for the treatment of a tumour comprising the step of administering to a patient in need of treatment an effective amount of an herpes simplex virus, wherein the genome of said virus comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding an antisense to the squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene (asSCCRO) in at least one of the long repeat regions (R L ).
  • a method for the treatment of a tumour comprising the step of administering to a patient in need of treatment an effective amount of an herpes simplex virus, wherein the genome of said virus comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding an antisense to the squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene (asSCCRO) and wherein the herpes simplex virus is non-neurovirulent.
  • an herpes simplex virus wherein the genome of said virus comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding an antisense to the squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene (asSCCRO) and wherein the herpes simplex virus is non-neurovirulent.
  • the herpes simplex virus is capable of killing tumour cells.
  • a method of expressing in vitro or in vivo an antisense to the squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene comprising the step of infecting at least one cell or tissue of interest with a herpes simplex virus, wherein the genome of said virus comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding asSCCRO in at least one of the long repeat regions (R L ), said asSCCRO operably linked to a transcription regulatory sequence.
  • a method of expressing in vitro or in vivo an antisense to the squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene comprising the step of infecting at least one cell or tissue of interest with a non-neurovirulent herpes simplex virus, wherein the genome of said virus comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding asSCCRO, said asSCCRO operably linked to a transcription regulatory sequence.
  • an herpes simplex virus wherein the genome of said virus comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a short interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) molecule that is capable of repressing or silencing expression of squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene (SCCRO) nucleic acid or polypeptide in at least one of the long repeat regions (R L ).
  • siRNA short interfering ribonucleic acid
  • SCCRO squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene
  • an herpes simplex virus wherein the genome of said virus comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a short interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) molecule that is capable of repressing or silencing expression of squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene (SCCRO) nucleic acid or polypeptide and wherein the herpes simplex virus is non-neurovirulent.
  • siRNA short interfering ribonucleic acid
  • SCCRO squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene
  • an herpes simplex virus for use in the treatment of a tumour, wherein the genome of said virus comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a short interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) molecule that is capable of repressing or silencing expression of squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene (SCCRO) nucleic acid or polypeptide in at least one of the long repeat regions (R L ).
  • siRNA short interfering ribonucleic acid
  • SCCRO squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene
  • an herpes simplex virus for use in the treatment of a tumour, wherein the genome of said virus comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a short interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) molecule that is capable of repressing or silencing expression of squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene (SCCRO) nucleic acid or polypeptide and wherein the herpes simplex virus is non-neurovirulent.
  • siRNA short interfering ribonucleic acid
  • SCCRO squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene
  • an herpes simplex virus wherein the genome of said virus comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a short interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) molecule that is capable of repressing or silencing expression of squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene (SCCRO) nucleic acid or polypeptide in at least one of the long repeat regions (R L ), in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of cancer is provided.
  • siRNA short interfering ribonucleic acid
  • SCCRO squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene
  • an herpes simplex virus wherein the genome of said virus comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a short interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) molecule that is capable of repressing or silencing expression of squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene (SCCRO) nucleic acid or polypeptide and wherein the herpes simplex virus is non-neurovirulent, in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of cancer is provided.
  • siRNA short interfering ribonucleic acid
  • SCCRO squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene
  • a method for the treatment of a tumour comprising the step of administering to a patient in need of treatment an effective amount of an herpes simplex virus, wherein the genome of said virus comprises, in at least one of the long repeat regions (R L ), a nucleic acid sequence encoding a short interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) molecule that is capable of repressing or silencing expression of squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene (SCCRO) nucleic acid or polypeptide.
  • siRNA short interfering ribonucleic acid
  • a method for the treatment of a tumour comprising the step of administering to a patient in need of treatment an effective amount of an herpes simplex virus, wherein the genome of said virus comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a short interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) molecule that is capable of repressing or silencing expression of squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene (SCCRO) nucleic acid or polypeptide and wherein the herpes simplex virus is non-neurovirulent.
  • siRNA short interfering ribonucleic acid
  • SCCRO squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene
  • the herpes simplex virus is capable of killing tumour cells.
  • RNA short interfering ribonucleic acid
  • SCCRO squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene
  • RNA short interfering ribonucleic acid
  • SCCRO squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene
  • siRNA according to the invention preferably repress the function of the squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene (SCCRO) protein.
  • SCCRO squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene
  • a method for repressing the cellular expression of the squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene (SCCRO) in vitro comprising the step of: in vitro, contacting a cell with an herpes simplex virus of the present invention or pharmaceutical composition containing such virus.
  • SCCRO squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene
  • the herpes simplex virus is HSV1716/CMV-asSCCRO/GFP, deposited as ‘HSV1716asSCCRO’, in the name of Crusade Laboratories Limited having an address at Department of Neurology Southern General Hospital 1345 Govan Road Govan Glasgow G51 5TF Scotland on 19 May 2004 at the European Collection of Cell Cultures (ECACC), Health Protection Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JG, United Kingdom under accession number 04051901 in accordance with the provisions of the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure (herein referred to as the ‘Budapest Treaty’).
  • a cell in vitro, in which expression of the squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene (SCCRO) protein or nucleic acid is repressed or silenced is provided.
  • the cell may be a mammalian cell, preferably a human cell.
  • the administration of said herpes simplex virus may comprise parenteral administration.
  • administration of the herpes simplex virus is by injection, more preferably injection to the tumour which is to be treated.
  • injections may be intravenous.
  • in vitro or in vivo methods for delivery of nucleic acid encoding asSCCRO or siRNA to at least one cell or to a tissue of interest said method comprising the step of infecting said cell(s) or tissue with a herpes simplex virus according to the invention.
  • a method of making or producing a modified herpes simplex virus of the invention comprising the step of introducing a nucleic acid sequence encoding asSCCRO or siRNA at a selected or predetermined insertion site in the genome of a selected herpes simplex virus.
  • the nucleic acid sequence encoding the asSCCRO or siRNA may form part of a nucleic acid cassette which is inserted in the genome of a selected herpes simplex virus by homologous recombination. Whether part of a cassette or not, the site of insertion may be in any genomic location selected.
  • One preferred insertion site is in one or both of the long repeat regions (R L ), and one copy of the cassette is preferably inserted in each copy of the long repeat (R L ). More preferably the insertion site is in at least one (preferably both) RL1 locus and most preferably it is inserted in at least one (preferably both) of the ICP34.5 protein coding sequences of the HSV genomic DNA. It is preferred that the insertion occurs in identical or substantially similar positions in each of the two repeat regions, RL1 loci or ICP34.5 protein coding sequences.
  • Insertion may be such as to produce a modified virus which is a non-neurovirulent mutant capable of expressing the encoded asSCCRO or siRNA upon transfection into mammalian, more preferably human, cells in vivo and in vitro.
  • the non-neurovirulent mutant may be an ICP34.5 null mutant.
  • the nucleic acid cassette may be of any size, e.g. up to 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 or 50 Kbp in length.
  • the herpes simplex virus contains at least one copy of the nucleic acid encoding the asSCCRO or siRNA in each long repeat region (R L ), i.e. in the terminal and internal long repeat (TR L and IR L ) regions.
  • each exogenous sequence or cassette is located in an RL1 locus of the herpes simplex virus genome, more preferably in the DNA of the herpes simplex virus genome encoding the ICP34.5 gene or protein coding sequence.
  • the herpes simplex virus thereby lacks neurovirulence.
  • the parent herpes simplex virus, from which a virus of the invention is derived may be of any kind, e.g. HSV-1 or HSV-2.
  • the herpes simplex virus is a variant of HSV-1 strain 17 and may be obtained by modification of the strain 17 genomic DNA. Suitable modifications include the insertion of the exogenous asSCCRO or siRNA nucleic acid sequences or exogenous/heterologous cassette comprising said sequence into the herpes simplex virus genomic DNA. The insertion may be performed by homologous recombination of the exogenous nucleic acid sequence into the genome of the selected herpes simplex virus.
  • herpes simplex viruses according to the present invention may be obtained by utilising a non-neurovirulent parent strain, e.g. HSV1716 deposited under the Budapest Treaty at the European Collection of Animal Cell Cultures (ECACC), Health Protection Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, United Kingdom under accession number V92012803, and inserting the exogenous nucleic acid sequence at another location of the genome by standard genetic engineering techniques, e.g. homologous recombination.
  • the location of the herpes simplex virus genome selected for insertion of the asSCCRO or siRNA nucleic acid sequence or cassette containing said sequence may be a neutral location.
  • Herpes simplex viruses of the present invention may be variants of a known ‘parent’ strain from which the herpes simplex virus of the invention has been derived.
  • a particularly preferred parent strain is HSV-1 strain 17.
  • Other parent strains may include HSV-1 strain F or HSV-2 strain HG52.
  • a variant comprises an HSV in which the genome substantially resembles that of the parent, contains the asSCCRO or siRNA encoding nucleic acid sequence or cassette containing said sequence and may contain a limited number of other modifications, e.g.
  • one, two or three other specific mutations which may be introduced to disable the pathogenic properties of the herpes simplex virus, for example a mutation in the ribonucleotide reductase (RR) gene, the 65K trans inducing factor (TIF) and/or a small number of mutations resulting from natural variation, which may be incorporated naturally during replication and selection in vitro or in vivo. Otherwise the genome of the variant will be that of the parent strain.
  • RR ribonucleotide reductase
  • TIF 65K trans inducing factor
  • Herpes simplex viruses of the invention may be used in a method of medical treatment. This may involve treatment of diseases associated with or involving the proliferation of cells, or cancers or tumours of any kind. Treatment may involve the selective lysis of dividing cells. This may be oncolysis, i.e. lysis of tumour cells.
  • Tumours to be treated may be of any kind, may comprise cancers, neoplasms or neoplastic tissue and may be in any animal or human patient.
  • Herpes simplex viruses of the invention may be used in ‘gene delivery’ methods in vitro or in vivo.
  • Non-neurovirulent herpes simplex viruses of the invention are expression vectors and may be used to infect selected cells or tissues in order to express the asSCCRO or siRNA encoded by the herpes simplex virus genome.
  • cells may be taken from a patient, a donor or from any other source, infected with a herpes simplex virus of the invention, optionally screened for expression and/or function of the encoded asSCCRO or siRNA, and optionally returned/introduced to a patient's body, e.g. by injection.
  • Herpes simplex viruses of the invention may be performed using naked virus or by encapsulation of the virus in a carrier, e.g. nanoparticles, liposomes or other vesicles.
  • a carrier e.g. nanoparticles, liposomes or other vesicles.
  • in vitro cultured cells preferably human or mammalian cells, transformed with viruses of the present invention and preferably cells expressing the asSCCRO or siRNA as well as methods of transforming such cells in vitro with said viruses form further aspects of the present invention.
  • Cancer/tumour types to be treated may include primary and/or secondary (metastatic) tumours. These may be carcinomas of the head and/or neck. They may be squamous cell carcinomas, which may be of mucosal origin and may show a predilection for duplication of the 3q locus. Preferred squamous cell carcinomas to be treated may be those of the head and/or neck. Squamous cell carcinomas to be treated may include those originating from the lung, head neck, oesophagus and cervix.
  • tumour types which may be treated may be primary or secondary (metastatic) tumours.
  • Tumours to be treated may be nervous or non-nervous system tumours.
  • Nervous system tumours may originate either in the central or peripheral nervous system, e.g. glioma, medulloblastoma, meningioma, neurofibroma, ependymoma, Schwannoma, neurofibrosarcoma, astrocytoma and oligodendroglioma.
  • Non-nervous system tumours may originate in any other non-nervous tissue, examples include melanoma, mesothelioma, lymphoma, hepatoma, epidermoid carcinoma, prostate carcinoma, breast cancer cells, lung cancer cells or colon cancer cells.
  • HSV mutants of the present invention may be used to treat metastatic tumours of the central or peripheral nervous system which originated in a non-nervous system tissue.
  • a mutant herpes simplex virus is a non-wild type herpes simplex virus and may be a recombinant herpes simplex virus.
  • Mutant herpes simplex viruses may comprise a genome containing modifications relative to the wild type.
  • a modification may include at least one deletion, insertion, addition or substitution.
  • Medicaments and pharmaceutical compositions according to aspects of the present invention may be formulated for administration by a number of routes, including but not limited to, parenteral, intravenous, intramuscular, intratumoural, oral and nasal.
  • the medicaments and compositions may be formulated in fluid or solid (e.g. tablet) form.
  • Fluid formulations may be formulated for administration by injection to a selected region of the human or animal body.
  • non-neurovirulence is defined by the ability to introduce a high titre of virus (approx 10 6 plaque forming units (pfu)) to an animal or patient 22,23 without causing a lethal encephalitis such that the LD 50 in animals, e.g. mice, or human patients is in the approximate range of ⁇ 10 6 pfu 21 .
  • the virus is considered to be an ICP34.5 null mutant.
  • a regulatory sequence e.g. promoter
  • a regulatory sequence that is operably linked to a nucleotide sequence may be located adjacent to that sequence or in close proximity such that the regulatory sequence can effect and/or control expression of a product of the nucleotide sequence.
  • the encoded product of the nucleotide sequence may therefore be expressible from that regulatory sequence.
  • polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No.1, positions 43-918 and the polynucleotide of SEQ ID No.2 are disclosed in GenBank Accession No. AF456425 (GI:18700655) released to the public as of 19 February 2002.
  • Oncoseq2 Oncoseq2 polypeptide is encoded by the polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No.3, which together with the polypeptide thereby encoded (SEQ ID No.4) are disclosed in GenBank Accession No. AF456426 (GI:18700657) released to the public as of 19 February 2002.
  • GenBank database may be accessed at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/.
  • the following therapeutic strategies are provided by way of example only.
  • the invention is not limited to a theory of operation of a given antisense or siRNA.
  • Herpes simplex viruses according to the present invention may express an antisense nucleic acid, e.g. single stranded RNA that targets and binds, by complementary sequence binding, to the target mRNA thereby blocking translation of that mRNA and expression of the gene product.
  • an antisense nucleic acid e.g. single stranded RNA that targets and binds, by complementary sequence binding, to the target mRNA thereby blocking translation of that mRNA and expression of the gene product.
  • Expressed antisense nucleic acid may also be arranged to bind sense genomic nucleic acid and inhibit transcription of a target nucleotide sequence.
  • Herpes simplex viruses according to the present invention may encode nucleic acid designed such that on transcription an RNA having internal complementary sequence is provided and which may bind to form a short hairpin siRNA duplex having a stem-loop structure.
  • the hairpin siRNA mediates specific repression and/or silencing of gene expression by RNA interference.
  • siRNA molecules may be encoded which are designed to bind by complementary sequence binding and form a functionally active duplex molecule.
  • siRNA and antisense molecules provided under the invention are designed to repress or silence the expression of a target nucleic acid, peptide, polypeptide or protein or to repress a function of such nucleic acid, peptide, polypeptide or protein.
  • a repression of expression results in a decrease in the quantity or expressed function of the target.
  • the repression of SCCRO by expression of an siRNA or antisense may result in a decrease in either the quantity of the SCCRO gene product or the expressed function of the SCCRO gene product relative to an untreated cell.
  • Repression of a function may involve the decrease in transcription of an mRNA, or translation of a peptide or polypeptide.
  • Repression may be partial. Preferred degrees of repression are at least 50%, more preferably one of at least 60, 70, 80, 85 or 90%. A level of repression between 90% and 100% is considered a ‘silencing’ of expression or function.
  • nucleic acid sequences may be identified by using hybridization and washing conditions of appropriate stringency.
  • Complementary nucleic acid sequences will hybridise to one another through Watson-Crick binding interactions. Sequences which are not 100% complementary may also hybridise but the strength of the hybridisation usually decreases with the decrease in complementarity. The strength of hybridisation can therefore be used to distinguish the degree of complementarity of sequences capable of binding to each other.
  • the stringency of a given reaction may depend upon factors such as probe length, washing temperature, and salt concentration. Higher temperatures are generally required for proper annealing of long probes, while shorter probes may be annealed at lower temperatures. The higher the degree of desired complementarity between the probe and hybridisable sequence, the higher the relative temperature which can be used. As a result, it follows that higher relative temperatures would tend to make the reaction conditions more stringent, while lower temperatures less so.
  • hybridizations may be performed, according to the method of Sambrook et al., (“Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1989) using a hybridization solution comprising: 5 ⁇ SSC, 5 ⁇ Denhardt's reagent, 0.5-1.0% SDS, 100 ⁇ g/ml denatured, fragmented salmon sperm DNA, 0.05% sodium pyrophosphate and up to 50% formamide.
  • Hybridization is carried out at 37-42° C. for at least six hours.
  • filters are washed as follows: (1) 5 minutes at room temperature in 2 ⁇ SSC and 1% SDS; (2) 15 minutes at room temperature in 2 ⁇ SSC and 0.1% SDS; (3) 30 minutes-l hour at 37° C. in 1 ⁇ SSC and 1% SDS; (4) 2 hours at 42-65° C. in 1 ⁇ SSC and 1% SDS, changing the solution every 30 minutes.
  • T m melting temperature
  • the T m is 57° C.
  • the T m of a DNA duplex decreases by 1-1.5° C. with every 1% decrease in sequence complementarity.
  • nucleotide sequences can be categorised by an ability to hybridise to a target sequence under different lybridisation and washing stringency conditions which can be selected by using the above equation.
  • the T m may be used to provide an indicator of the strength of the hybridisation.
  • Sequences exhibiting 95-100% sequence complementarity may be considered to hybridise under very high stringency conditions, sequences exhibiting 85-95% complementarity may be considered to hybridise under high stringency conditions, sequences exhibiting 70-85% complementarity may be considered to hybridise under intermediate stringency conditions, sequences exhibiting 60-70% complementarity may be considered to hybridise under low stringency conditions and sequences exhibiting 50-60%% complementarity may be considered to hybridise under very low stringency conditions.
  • the invention includes the combination of the aspects and preferred features described except where such a combination is clearly impermissible or expressly avoided.
  • FIG. 1 Generation of plasmid RL1.dIRES-GFP from plasmids pNAT-IRES-GFP and RL1.del.
  • FIG. 2 Agarose gel electrophoresis of HpaI digested, CIP treated, RL1.del. RL1.del was digested with HpaI. The digested DNA was then treated with Calf Intestinal Phosphatase (CIP) to prevent the vector re-annealing to itself in subsequent ligation reactions. A sample of the digested/CIP treated DNA was electrophoresed, beside a 1 Kbp DNA ladder (Promega), on a 1% agarose gel. HpaI linearises the vector at 8.6 Kbp.
  • CIP Calf Intestinal Phosphatase
  • FIG. 3 Agarose gel electrophoresis of NsiI/SspI digested pNAT-IRES-GFP (A) and purified/blunt-ended pCMV-NAT-IRES-GFP-PolyA (B).
  • A NsiI/SspI digested pNAT-IRES-GFP
  • B purified/blunt-ended pCMV-NAT-IRES-GFP-PolyA
  • FIG. 4 Identification of RL1.del clones containing the pCMV-NAT-IRES-GFP-PolyA insert. Ligation reactions were set up with the purified, blunt ended pCMV-NAT-IRES-GFP-PolyA fragment and HpaI digested, CIP treated RL1.del. Bacteria were transformed with samples from the ligation reactions and plated out onto LBA (Ampr) plates. Colonies were picked and plasmid DNA was extracted and digested with AflII. Digested samples were electrophoresed, beside a 1 Kbp DNA ladder (L) (Promega), on a 1% agarose gel.
  • LBA Anmpr
  • FIG. 5 Determination of the orientation of pCMV-NAT-IRES-GFP-PolyA in clone 5 (RL1.dCMV-NAT-GFPb).
  • pCMV-NAT-IRES-GFP-PolyA blue ended
  • the plasmid was digested with XhoI and the digested DNA electrophoresed, beside a 1 Kbp DNA ladder (Promega), on a 1% agarose gel.
  • FIG. 6 Removal of pCMV-NAT from clone 5 (A) and large scale plasmid preparation of RL1.dIRES-GFP (B).
  • A Four samples of clone 5 were digested with XhoI and electrophoresed, beside a 1 Kbp DNA ladder (L) (Promega), on a 1% agarose gel (A). The larger fragment of DNA generated from this digestion (10.2 Kbp) was purified from the gel and ligated back together, at the XhoI sites, to form a single XhoI site in a new plasmid, designated RL1.dIRES-GFP.
  • a large-scale plasmid preparation was grown up and the preparation checked by digesting with XhoI.
  • FIG. 7 Generation, detection and purification of ICP34.5 null HSV-1 expressing a gene product of interest.
  • FIG. 8 Strategy used to clone pCMV-asSCCRO, from pUSEamp-asSCCRO, into RL1.dIRES-GFP.
  • CIP Calf Intestinal Phosphatase
  • FIG. 9 Agarose gel electrophoresis of BglII digested, blunt ended, CIP treated RL1.dIRES-GFP.
  • RL1.dIRES.GFP was digested with BglII.
  • the digested plasmid was then blunt ended using Klenow polymerase and treated with Calf Intestinal Phosphatase (CIP) to prevent the vector re-annealing to itself in subsequent ligation reactions.
  • CIP Calf Intestinal Phosphatase
  • a sample of the digested/blunt ended/CIP treated DNA was electrophoresed, beside a 1 Kbp DNA ladder (Promega), on a 1% agarose gel to check its concentration.
  • pCMV-asSCCRO was subsequently cloned into this digested/CIP treated vector.
  • FIG. 10 Agarose gel electrophoresis of SspI/XhoI digested pUSEamp-asSCCRO (A) and the purified pCMV-asSCCRO fragment (B).
  • A SspI/XhoI digested pUSEamp-asSCCRO
  • B purified pCMV-asSCCRO fragment
  • the 1.96 Kbp fragments consisting of DNA antisense to the squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene (asSCCRO) downstream of the CMV IE promoter (pCMV), were purified from the gel, blunt ended using Klenow polymerase, purified again and a sample of the purified DNA electrophoresed on an agarose gel to check its concentration.
  • FIG. 11 Identification of RL1.dIRES-GFP clones containing the pCMV-asSCCRO insert. Ligation reactions were set up with the purified, blunt ended pCMV-asSCCRO fragment and BglII digested, blunt ended, CIP treated RL1.dIRES-GFP. Bacteria were transformed with samples from the ligation reactions and plated onto LBA (Amp r ) plates. Colonies were picked and plasmid DNA was extracted and digested with BglII. Digested samples were electrophoresed, beside a 1 Kbp DNA ladder (L) (Promega), on a 1% agarose gel
  • FIG. 12 Determination of the orientation of pCMV-asSCCRO in clone 11.
  • Clone 11 was digested with NruI and electrophoresed, beside a 1 Kbp DNA ladder (L) (Promega), on a 1% agarose gel. If pCMV-asSCCRO was in the desired orientation (A), NruI digestion would produce a fragment of 1.64 Kbp. If in the opposite orientation (B), no 1.64 Kbp fragment would be generated from this digestion.
  • FIG. 13 Agarose gel electrophoresis of ScaI digested clone 11 (A) and HSV1716/CMV-asSCCRO/GFP virus titre (B).
  • Clone 11 (RL1.dCMV-asSCCRO-GFP) was digested with ScaI, the digested DNA purified and 5 ⁇ l electrophoresed, beside a 1 Kbp DNA ladder (Promega), on a 1% agarose gel, to check its concentration.
  • 80% confluent BHK cells were then co-transfected with 10 ⁇ l HSV17 + DNA and an appropriate volume of the remaining digested clone 11. The cells were incubated at 37° C. for 3 days until cpe was evident.
  • HSV1716/CMV-asSCCRO/GFP Recombinant viral plaques were picked under the fluorescent microscope, purified and a virus stock, named HSV1716/CMV-asSCCRO/GFP, grown up. HSV1716/CMV-asSCCRO/GFP was titrated on BHK cells.
  • FIG. 14 Cytotoxicity assay for cell lines SCC15 and 584 after infection with HSV1716 or HSV1716asSCCRO at MOI of 1 pfu/cell and 5 pfu/cell.
  • FIG. 15 Cytotoxicity assay for cell lines 1483 and 1986 after infection with HSV1716 or HSV1716asSCCRO at MOI of 1 pfu/cell and 5 pfu/cell.
  • FIG. 16 Cytotoxicity assay for cell line 1186 and 1386 after infection with HSV1716 or HSV1716asSCCRO at MOI of 1 pfu/cell and Spfu/cell.
  • FIG. 17 Viral proliferation assays for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines after infection with HSV1716 or HSV1716asSCCRO at MOI 1 pfu/cell.
  • FIG. 18 Infectivity assay—gfp expression 6 hours post infection with 1716gfp virus.
  • FIG. 19 Western blot results of the cell line SCC15 showing downregulation of SCCRO protein at 12 hours with HSV1716asSCCRO but not in 584.
  • FIG. 20 Nude mice xenograft growth curves in SCC15 and 584 following single intratumoural injection of HSV1716 or HSV1716asSCCRO.
  • FIG. 21 Nude mice xenograft growth curves in SCC15 following single intratumoural injection of PBS, HSV1716 or HSV1716asSCCRO.
  • FIG. 22 is a diagrammatic representation of FIG. 22 .
  • FIG. 23 (A) DNA nucleotide sequence encoding the siRNA construct designed to target expression of the SCCRO gene (SEQ ID No. 5); and (B) nucleotide sequence encoding control siRNA (SEQ ID No 6). Sequences either side of the central nucleotides are respectively complimentary enabling the transcribed RNA to form a hairpin structure (stem-loop) by binding of complementary nucleotides.
  • Mutant herpes simplex viruses of the invention may be generated by use of nucleic acid vectors.
  • nucleic acid vector comprising, consisting or consisting essentially of:
  • first and second nucleotide sequences corresponding to nucleotide sequences flanking an insertion site in the genome of a selected herpes simplex virus
  • nucleic acid vector comprising, consisting or consisting essentially of:
  • first and second nucleotide sequences corresponding to nucleotide sequences flanking an insertion site in the genome of a selected herpes simplex virus
  • the first and second nucleotide sequences may correspond to nucleotide sequences flanking an insertion site formed in, or comprising all or a part of, the ICP34.5 protein coding sequence of the genome of a selected herpes simplex virus.
  • the cassette may comprise a plurality of insertion sites, each insertion site preferably formed by nucleic acid encoding a specific restriction endonuclease site (‘restriction site’). Together the restriction sites may form a multiple cloning site (MCS) comprising a series of overlapping or distinct restriction sites, preferably a series of distinct restriction sites comprising one or more of the ClaI, BglII, NruI, XhoI restriction sites.
  • MCS multiple cloning site
  • the encoded components of the cassette may be arranged in a predetermined order.
  • the one or plurality of insertion sites is/are arranged upstream (i.e. 5′) of the ribosome binding site/first regulatory sequence and the ribosome binding site/first regulatory sequence is arranged upstream (i.e. 5′) of the marker.
  • the first and second nucleotide sequences may comprise nucleotide sequences having identity to regions of the genome surrounding the insertion site in the selected herpes simplex virus (the ‘viral insertion site’). These sequences enable the cassette to be incorporated at the viral insertion site by homologous recombination between the first and second nucleotide sequences and their respective corresponding sequences in the viral genome.
  • first and second nucleotide sequences are flanking sequences for homologous recombination with corresponding sequences of a selected viral genome, such homologous recombination resulting in insertion of the cassette at the viral insertion site.
  • the first and second nucleotide sequences may correspond to nucleotide sequences flanking an insertion site in the RL1 locus of the HSV genome, more preferably in the ICP34.5 protein coding sequence of the HSV genome.
  • the first and second nucleotide sequences may each be at least 50bp in length, more preferably at least 100, 150, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900 2000, 2100, 2200, 2300, 2400, 2500, 2600, 2700, 2800, 2900, 3000, 3100, 3200, 3300, 3400, 3500, 3600, 3700, 3800, 3900 or 4000bp in length.
  • Each of the first and second nucleotide sequences may have at least 50% sequence identity to their corresponding sequence in the viral genome, more preferably at least 60%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 92%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% 99% or 100% identity. Identity of sequences is determined across the entire length of a given nucleotide sequence. Where sequences are of different length, sequence identity of the shorter sequence is determined over the entire length of the longer sequence.
  • the first and second nucleotide sequences may be characterised by the ability of one strand of a given sequence to hybridise with the corresponding single-stranded complement of the HSV genome under varying hybridisation stringency conditions.
  • the first and second nucleotide sequences will hybridise with their corresponding complement under very low, low or intermediate stringency conditions, more preferably at high or very high stringency conditions.
  • the viral insertion site is the position between the genomic nucleotide sequences corresponding to the first and second nucleotide sequences of the vector (the ‘genomic’ and ‘vector flanking sequences’ respectively) at which homologous recombination will occur and may be predetermined by selection of the vector flanking sequences. Where the genomic flanking sequences are immediately adjacent, the insertion site is the position between the peripheral and immediately adjacent bases of the two genomic flanking sequences, such that insertion of the cassette separates the genomic flanking sequences. Where the genomic flanking sequences are separated by one or a plurality of bases in the viral genome, the insertion site is formed by said one or a plurality of bases which are excised from the genome by the homologous recombination event.
  • the position of the viral insertion site may be accurately selected by careful selection and construction of the vector flanking sequences. Accordingly, the vector may be constructed such that homologous insertion of the cassette results in disruption of a chosen protein coding sequence and inactivation of the respective gene product or such that the cassette is inserted at a non-protein coding region of the viral genome.
  • the complete genome sequences of several herpes simplex virus strains have been reported and are publicly available.
  • the complete genome sequence for HSV-1 strain 17syn+ was reported by Dolan et al 3 (incorporated herein by reference) and the complete genome sequence of HSV-2 strain HG52 was reported by Dolan et al 4 (incorporated herein by reference) and is available from the EMBL database under accession code Z86099.
  • the vector of the present invention may preferably be designed for use in generating mutant HSV-1 (e.g. in strain 17 or F) or mutant HSV-2 (e.g. in strain HG52).
  • the first and second nucleotide sequences may each comprise sequence corresponding to the RL terminal repeat region of the genome of the selected HSV (e.g. HSV-1 strains 17 or F or HSV-2 strain HG52).
  • the vector flanking sequences may comprise, consist or consist essentially of nucleotide sequences of the RL repeat region which flank the ICP34.5 protein coding sequence.
  • flanking the ICP34.5 coding sequence one or both of the selected sequences may, in the corresponding HSV genome, overlap, i.e. extend into, the ICP34.5 protein coding sequence or one or both sequences may be selected so as to not overlap the ICP34.5 protein coding sequence.
  • the selected sequences may be chosen to overlap completely or partially other important encoded signals, e.g. transcription initiation site, polyadenylation site, defined promoters or enhancers.
  • the insertion site will thus comprise all or a part of the ICP34.5 protein coding sequence and/or be such that the inserted cassette disrupts the ICP34.5 protein coding sequence.
  • the vectors described comprising first and second nucleotide sequences corresponding to regions of the RL repeat region flanking and/or overlapping the ICP34.5 protein coding sequence, may be used in the generation of ICP34.5 null mutants wherein all or a portion of the ICP34.5 protein coding sequence is excised and replaced during the homologous recombination event such that both copies of the ICP34.5 coding sequence are disrupted.
  • the recombination may result in an insertion of nucleic acid within the ICP34.5 protein coding sequence thereby disrupting that sequence.
  • successfully transformed virus are thus mutants incapable of generating the ICP34.5 active gene product from at least one copy, and preferably from both copies, of the ICP34.5 gene.
  • Each component of the cassette may be positioned substantially adjacent the neighbouring component such that a single bicistronic transcript comprising or consisting essentially of the mRNA encoding the nucleotide sequence of interest, ribosome binding site and marker is obtainable.
  • the vectors described may further comprise, consist, or consist essentially of a nucleic acid encoding a selectable marker such as a polypeptide or protein conferring antibiotic resistance e.g. kanamycin resistance or ampicillin resistance.
  • a selectable marker such as a polypeptide or protein conferring antibiotic resistance e.g. kanamycin resistance or ampicillin resistance.
  • the vectors described are preferably DNA vectors, particularly dsDNA vectors.
  • the vector may be provided as a linear or circular (plasmid) DNA vector.
  • the vector preferably contains nucleotide sequences, e.g. restriction endonuclease site(s), permitting transition between the two forms by use of DNA ligation and restriction materials (e.g. enzymes) and techniques known to the person skilled in the art.
  • DNA ligation and restriction materials e.g. enzymes
  • the vector is preferably provided in linear form.
  • plasmid RL1.dIRES-GFP deposited in the name of Crusade Laboratories Limited having an address at Department of Neurology Southern General Hospital 1345 Govan Road Govan Glasgow G51 5TF Scotland on 03 Sep. 2003 at the European Collection of Cell Cultures (ECACC), Health Protection Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JG, United Kingdom under accession number 03090303 in accordance with the provisions of the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure (herein referred to as the ‘Budapest Treaty’).
  • RL1.dIRES-GFP provides a platform for generating a plurality of ‘shuttle vectors’ which can exploit the process of homologous recombination to transfer a nucleotide sequence of interest (downstream of a selected promoter) into the disabling RL1 locus of HSV-1, generating easily identifiable, oncolytic, ICP34.5 null HSV-1 mutants expressing the products of the nucleotide sequence of interest, e.g. an RNA transcript or a polypeptide, and GFP.
  • RL1.dIRES-GFP thus provides for ease of generation and purification of ICP34.5 null HSV.
  • RL1.dIRES-GFP is a useful vector for making second-generation oncolytic viruses having enhanced cytotoxic potential and which may express the product(s) of selected gene(s) to enhance the oncolytic and/or therapeutic effect of the administered virus.
  • the RL1.dIRES-GFP plasmid incorporates a multi-cloning sequence (MCS), upstream of an internal ribosome entry site (IRES), the GFP gene and SV40 polyadenylation sequences flanked by HSV-1 RL1 sequences.
  • MCS multi-cloning sequence
  • IRES internal ribosome entry site
  • EMCV IRES encephalomyocarditis virus IRES
  • recombinant HSV-1 expressing the desired nucleic acid transcript or protein can be generated and purified within 2 weeks. This compares with 2-3 months using prior art protocols.
  • ICP34.5 null HSV generated using the RL1.dIRES-GFP plasmid provided by the inventors transcription of both the nucleotide sequence of interest and GFP as a single transcript is controlled by the same promoter upstream of the nucleotide sequence of interest, the transcribed IRES directing cap-independent translation of GFP.
  • the generated ICP34.5 null HSV are non-neurovirulent.
  • RL1.dIRES-GFP is promoterless, thus enabling a promoter of choice to be incorporated in the homologously recombined shuttle vector for controlling expression of the nucleotide sequence of interest from the inserted cassette.
  • Plasmid RL1.dIRES-GFP or modified plasmid shuttle vectors thereof further comprising nucleotide sequence encoding a nucleic acid transcript or polypeptide of interest may be provided in isolated or purified form.
  • the vector may be a variant of plasmid RL1.dIRES-GFP.
  • RL1.dIRES-GFP As the plasmid RL1.dIRES-GFP is designed for tandem expression of a sequence of interest and the marker gene encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP).
  • the sequence of interest is cloned into RL1.dIRES-GFP along with its promoter (e.g. CMV) such that the promoter drives transcription of an mRNA for the sequence of interest along with the IRES-GFP.
  • CMV green fluorescent protein
  • Translation results in expression of the GFP from the internal ribosomal entry site and the gene of interest and promoter must be cloned into RL1.dIRES-GFP in the correct orientation to achieve this.
  • this tandem expression arrangement may be unsuitable and a variation of the cassette design is favourable.
  • RNA polIII promoters such as H1 or U6. These promoters are unable to drive the additional tandem expression of the IRES-GFP as the RNApolIII expression cassette is designed only to produce short transcripts. Additionally, sequences of interest derived from genomic DNA with strong mRNA shut-off signals in their 3′ untranslated regions may not support IRES-GFP expression.
  • a cassette may be provided in which the sequence of interest and marker are expressed separately from independent promoters.
  • One variant contains a cassette in which the ribosome binding site of plasmid RL1.dIRES-GFP is replaced with a regulatory nucleotide sequence, preferably a strong, constitutive promoter such as the Phosphoglycerokinase promoter.
  • the marker is thereby expressed under the control of this (the ‘first’) regulatory sequence.
  • the nucleotide sequence of interest e.g. antisense or siRNA
  • This vector variant is particularly suitable for expression of siRNA where a weak promoter may be used for expression of the siRNA molecule or the nucleic acid encoding the siRNA may have a strong termination signal making it difficult to produce a single bi- or poly-cistronic transcript containing the transcribed siRNA and marker sequence.
  • the transformed virus containing the cassette integrated in the viral genome produces two separate transcripts under the control of the first and second promoters.
  • This cassette was constructed in the following manner.
  • the 1.3 kbp blunt-ended EcoRI/AflII fragment that contains the PGK promoter/GFP gene was obtained by restriction digestion followed by Klenow treatment from the vector pSNRG and cloned into the RL1-del vector cut with the restriction enzyme NruI that generates blunt ends.
  • Successful insertion of the PGK/GFP DNA was confirmed by BamHI digestion and the orientation of the inserted DNA identified using the unique XhoI site in RL1-del and the BsrGI site at the 3′ end of PGK/GFP.
  • Plasmids with PGK/GFP in both forward and reverse orientation were obtained and the plasmids were designated RL1-dPGK/GFPfor and RL1-dPGK/GFPrev. Expression of GFP was confirmed in BHK cells transfected with the forward and reverse orientation plasmids.
  • sequences of interest along with their own promoters can then be cloned into either RL1-dPGK/GFPfor or RL1-dPGK/GFPrev in either orientation using the remaining unique BglII, XhoI or HpaI unique restriction enzyme sites.
  • the resulting plasmid can be used to derive recombinant HSV in which the marker GFP gene and the gene of interest are expressed independently from their own promoters.
  • the vectors described may be constructed for use in generating engineered HSV-1 or HSV-2 by insertion of a nucleic acid cassette through a mechanism of homologous recombination between nucleotide sequences flanking the cassette and corresponding sequences in the selected herpes simplex virus genome.
  • the vectors described may comprise and have use as:
  • the vectors described may be used in the manufacture of engineered gene specific HSV null mutants, i.e. HSV mutants incapable of expressing an active gene product of a selected gene. They may be used in the manufacture of engineered viruses which express a selected protein from only one gene copy the other gene copy being disrupted or modified such that it cannot express a functional gene product. Such vectors may also be used in the manufacture of a medicament, preferably comprising said gene specific HSV null mutant, for use in treating cancer and tumours, preferably by the oncolytic treatment of the tumour.
  • the vectors described may also be used in the manufacture of engineered HSV mutants wherein the genome of the mutant HSV comprises a nucleotide sequence which has been inserted in the HSV genome by homologous recombination of the cassette such that the nucleotide sequence is arranged to be transcribed from the HSV genome under the control of a regulatory element e.g. promoter, preferably a regulatory element forming part of the inserted cassette, to produce an antisense transcript or siRNA.
  • a regulatory element e.g. promoter, preferably a regulatory element forming part of the inserted cassette, to produce an antisense transcript or siRNA.
  • the antisense nucleotide sequence is an exogenous/heterologous (i.e. non-HSV originating) sequence.
  • Such vectors may be used in the manufacture of a medicament, preferably comprising the engineered HSV mutant, for use in the treatment of disease, including the oncolytic treatment of tumours.
  • the vectors described may also be used in the manufacture of an engineered HSV mutant wherein the genome of the mutant HSV comprises a nucleotide sequence which has been inserted in a protein coding sequence of the HSV genome by homologous recombination of the cassette such that the mutant HSV is incapable of expressing the active gene encoded by said protein coding sequence and wherein the inserted nucleotide sequence is expressed under the control of a regulatory element to produce an antisense transcript or siRNA.
  • the regulatory element forms part of the cassette.
  • Such vectors may be used in the manufacture of a medicament, preferably comprising the engineered HSV mutant, for use in the treatment of disease, including the oncolytic treatment of tumours.
  • the vectors described may be used to generate mutant HSV by inserting the cassette into the genome of a selected HSV, the method of generation may comprise providing a vector described above, where the vector is a plasmid, linearising the vector; and co-transfecting a cell culture with the linearised vector and genomic DNA from said HSV.
  • the co-transfection may be carried out under conditions effective for homologous recombination of said cassette into an insertion site of the viral genome.
  • the method may further comprise one or more of the steps of:
  • Plasmid RL1.dIRES-GFP was generated in three stages, illustrated in FIG. 1 .
  • the DNA sequences containing the CMV IE promoter (pCMV), the NAT gene, the internal ribosome entry site (IRES), the GFP reporter gene and the SV40 polyadenylation sequences were excised from pNAT-IRES-GFP using NsiI and SspI and purified.
  • RL1.dCMV-NAT-GFP The pCMV-NAT DNA sequences of RL1.dCMV-NAT-GFP were excised using XhoI and the remainder of the plasmid re-ligated to form a novel plasmid designated RL1.dIRES-GFP.
  • This novel plasmid contained a multi-cloning site (all sites shown are unique) upstream of an IRES, the GFP gene and the SV40 polyA sequences all within the HSV-1 RL1 flanking sequences.
  • Recombinant ICP34.5 null HSV-1 expressing a gene of interest in the RL1 locus, can be generated by cloning the gene of interest (downstream of a suitable promoter) into the multi-cloning site and co-transfecting BHK cells with the plasmid and HSV-1 DNA.
  • Recombinant virus expressing the target gene can be identified using GFP fluorescence.
  • RL1.dCMV-NAT-GFP a novel plasmid containing a multi-cloning site (MCS), upstream of the encephalomyocarditis virus internal ribosome entry site (EMCV IRES), the GFP reporter gene and the SV40 PolyA sequences, all within RL1 flanking sequences.
  • MCS multi-cloning site
  • EMCV IRES encephalomyocarditis virus internal ribosome entry site
  • GFP reporter gene and the SV40 PolyA sequences all within RL1 flanking sequences.
  • This novel arrangement of DNA sequences or ‘smart cassette’ allows ICP34.5 null HSV-1, expressing a gene of interest in the RL1 locus, to be easily generated by simply inserting the desired transgene (downstream of a suitable promoter) into the MCS and co-transfecting BHK cells with the plasmid and HSV-1 DNA.
  • the IRES situated between the GFP gene and the MCS permits expression of two genes from the same promoter and so recombinant virus expressing the gene of interest also expresses GFP and can therefore be easily identified under a fluorescence microscope and purified.
  • Ligation reactions were carried out in small eppendorf tubes containing 5 units T4 DNA Ligase (Promega), a suitable volume of 10 ⁇ DNA Ligase Buffer (Promega), nuclease free water (Promega) and various volumes of the HpaI digested/CIP treated RL1.del and blunt ended pCMV-NAT-IRES-GFP-SV40 Poly A DNA, at 16° C. overnight. Competent JM109 bacterial cells (Promega) were then transformed with various aliqouts of the ligation reactions***. Colonies formed on the plates were picked, had their plasmid DNA extracted using a Qiagen Plasmid Mini kit and screened for inserts using AflII (New England Biolabs) restriction enzyme analysis.
  • Plasmid DNA containing the insert would produce two fragments of 4.8 Kbp and 9.2 Kbp following digestion with AflII.
  • Two clones contained the insert ( FIG. 4 ).
  • the orientation of the insert in clone 5 was determined using XhoI restriction enzyme analysis ( FIG. 5 ).
  • the CMV-NAT portion of the CMV-NAT-IRES-GFP-SV40 PolyA insert was removed by digesting 4 ⁇ 500 ng of clone 5 with 10 units of XhoI in a suitable volume of buffer and water (Promega), overnight at 37° C.
  • the digested DNA was electrophoresed on a 1% agarose gel at 110 volts for lhr ( FIG. 6A ).
  • the 10.2 Kbp fragment consisting of the IRES, the GFP gene, the SV40 PolyA sequences and RL1 flanking sequences in a pGEM3Zf( ⁇ ) (Promega) backbone was excised using a sterile scalpel and the DNA purified from the gel using a QIAquick Gel Extraction kit.
  • Ligation reactions were performed in small eppendorf tubes containing 100 ng-500 ng purified DNA, 3 units T4 DNA Ligase (Promega), a suitable volume of 10 ⁇ DNA Ligase Buffer (Promega) and nuclease free water (Promega) overnight at 16° C. Competent JM109 bacterial cells (Promega) were then transformed with various aliquots of the ligation reactions***. Colonies formed on the plates were picked, had their plasmid DNA extracted using a Qiagen Plasmid Mini kit and screened using XhoI (Promega) restriction enzyme analysis.
  • Colonies containing plasmid DNA from which CMV-NAT had been removed would produce one fragment of 10.2 Kbp when digested with XhoI.
  • Several positive clones were found, one was isolated, and a large-scale plasmid preparation undertaken using Promega's Wizard Plus Maxipreps kit. The large-scale plasmid preparation was checked by digesting with XhoI ( FIG. 6B ). This plasmid DNA was subsequently named ‘RL1.dIRES-GFP’.
  • Plasmid RL1.dIRES-GFP has been deposited in the name of Crusade Laboratories Limited having an address at Department of Neurology Southern General Hospital 1345 Govan Road Govan Glasgow G51 5TF Scotland on 03 Sep. 2003 at the European Collection of Cell Cultures (ECACC), Health Protection Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JG, United Kingdom under accession number 03090303 in accordance with the provisions of the Budapest Treaty.
  • *RL1.del was provided by Dr.E.McKie and is the pGEM-3Zf( ⁇ ) plasmid (Promega) into which has been cloned an HSV-1 fragment (123459-129403) consisting of the RL1 gene and its flanking sequences.
  • the 477 bp PflMI-BstEII fragment of the RL1 gene (125292-125769) has been removed and replaced with a multi-cloning site (MCS) to form RL1.del.
  • **pNAT-IRES-GFP was supplied by Dr. Marie Boyd (CRUK Beatson Laboratories) and is the pIRES2-EGFP plasmid (BD Biosciences Clontech) into which she has cloned the bovine noradrenaline transporter (NAT) gene (3.2 Kbp), at the NheI and XhoI sites.
  • NAT bovine noradrenaline transporter
  • the cells were then resuspended in 1/10 th volume of transformation and storage buffer (10 mM MgCl 2 , 10 mM Mg(SO) 4 , 10% (w/v) PEG 3,500, 5% (v/v) DMSO)
  • the cells were placed on ice for between 10 minutes and 2 hrs, after which time they were considered competent for transformation.
  • 1-10 ⁇ l of DNA was mixed with 100 ⁇ l of competent bacteria in eppendorf tubes, and the tubes placed on ice for 30 minutes. After this, the samples were ‘heat shocked’ by incubating the tubes in a 42° C. water bath for exactly 45 seconds before placing them on ice for a further 2 minutes. 1 ml of L-Broth was added, the tube inverted 2-3 times, and the bacteria incubated for 1 hr at 37° C. 100 ⁇ l of the transformed bacteria was plated out onto L-broth agar plates containing 100 ⁇ g/ml of the appropriate antibiotic (usually ampicillin or kanamycin). Plates were allowed to dry at room temperature, before incubating in an inverted position at 37° C. overnight.
  • the appropriate antibiotic usually ampicillin or kanamycin
  • FIG. 7 illustrates the method steps involved.
  • plasmid DNA containing the gene of interest and the desired promoter (X), is digested with restriction endonucleases to release the promoter/gene fragment.
  • the promoter/gene fragment is purified and cloned into the multi-cloning site (MCS) of RL1.dIRES.GFP forming a shuttle vector suitable for generating oncolytic HSV-1 ( FIG. 7B ).
  • MCS multi-cloning site
  • This vector contains HSV-1 sequences that flank the essential RL1 gene but does not contain the RL1 gene.
  • the plasmid also contains the gene for Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) downstream of an internal ribosome entry site (IRES).
  • GFP Green Fluorescent Protein
  • IRES permits expression of both the gene of interest and the GFP gene from the same upstream promoter.
  • BHK cells are then co-transfected with linearised RL1.dIRES.GFP, now containing the gene of interest, and HSV-1 DNA ( FIG. 7C ).
  • designer virus expressing the gene of interest and GFP, is generated and can be distinguished from wild type virus (also generated but not expressing GFP) under a fluorescence microscope.
  • Viral plaques, expressing GFP (and hence the gene of interest), are picked under the fluorescence microscope and purified until all wild-type HSV-1 has been removed.
  • the recombinant HSV-1 is considered 100% pure when all the viral plaques are expressing GFP ( FIG. 7D ).
  • Oncolytic HSV-1 expressing a gene product of interest from a selected promoter, is then ready for characterisation and in vitro examination of its tumour killing potential.
  • the gene of interest To generate replication restricted HSV-1, expressing the gene of interest and GFP, the gene of interest must be cloned into RL1dIRES-GFP downstream of a suitable promoter (e.g. CMV IE).
  • the promoter is required upstream of the gene of interest for the production of a bicistronic mRNA transcript.
  • the IRES sequence between the two open reading frames in the transcript functions as a ribosome binding site for efficient cap-independent internal initiation of translation.
  • the design enables coupled transcription of both the gene of interest and GFP, followed by cap-dependent initiation of translation of the first gene (gene of interest) and IRES-directed, cap-independent translation of GFP. Co-ordinate gene expression is thus ensured in this configuration.
  • HSV-1 (17 + ) DNA and 0.1-1 ⁇ g linearized SMART cassette containing the gene and promoter of interest is pipetted into 1.5 ml eppendorf tubes containing 1 ⁇ l of calf thymus DNA (10 ⁇ g/ml) and an appropriate volume of distilled water to give a final volume of 165 ⁇ l.
  • the solutions are very gently mixed using a 200 ⁇ l pipette tip.
  • 388 ⁇ l of HEBS, pH 7.5, (130 mM NaCl, 4.9 mM KCl, 1.6 mM Na 2 HPO 4 , 5.5 mM D-glucose, 21 mM HEPES) is then added, the solution mixed, before adding 26.5 ⁇ l of 2M CaCl 2 dropwise and flicking the eppendorf tube two or three times.
  • the samples are left at room temperature for 10-15 minutes then added dropwise to 80% confluent BHK's in 60 mm petri dishes from which the medium has been removed. Following incubation at 37° C. for 45 minutes, the cells are overlaid with 5 ml of ETC10 and incubated at 37° C.
  • the media is removed and the plates washed with ETC10.
  • the cells are overlaid with 1 ml 25% (v/v) DMSO in HEBS at room temperature. After the 4 minutes, the cells are immediately washed three times with 5 ml ETC10 before overlaying with 5 ml of ETC10 and returning to the incubator. The following day, fresh medium is added to the cells. Two days later, when cpe is evident, cells are scraped into the medium, transferred to small tended and sonicated thoroughly. The sample is then stored at ⁇ 70° C. until required (see section below on plaque purification).
  • the volume of virus DNA to add is determined by undertaking the above procedure without plasmid DNA, using a range of virus DNA volumes and choosing the volume that gives the greatest number of viral plaques on the BHK monolayer after 2 or 3 days.
  • Sonicated samples from co-transfection plates are thawed and serially diluted 10 fold in ETC10.
  • 100 ⁇ l from neat to the 10 5 dilution is plated out on confluent BHK's in 60 mm petri dishes from which the media has been removed. After 45 minutes incubation at 37° C., the cells are overlaid with 5 ml EMC10 and incubated at 37° C. for 48hrs.
  • the plates are then checked for the presence of viral plaques and those dishes with the fewest, most separated plaques are placed under a fluorescent stereomicroscope.
  • Recombinant virus designed to express the green fluorescent protein (GFP) in addition to the gene of interest, can clearly be distinguished from wild type virus using a GFP filter.
  • GFP green fluorescent protein
  • Fluorescent plaques are picked using a 20 ⁇ l pipette and placed (including the tip) into an eppendorf tube containing 1 ml ETC10. The sample is thoroughly sonicated before making serial 10 fold dilutions in ETC10 and repeating the above purification procedure. The process is repeated typically 3-4 times until every plaque on the BHK monolayer is fluorescent. Once this has been achieved, 50 ⁇ l of this sample is used to infect BHK's in roller bottles, in 50 ml ETC10, and a virus stock grown.
  • BHK21/C13 cells are grown in Eagle's medium (Gibco) supplemented with 10% newborn calf serum (Gibco) and 10% (v/v) tryptose phosphate broth. This is referred to as ETC10.
  • ETC10 Eagle's medium containing 1.5% methylcellulose and 10% newborn calf serum
  • EMC10 is used to overlay the cells.
  • HSV1716/CMV-asSCCRO/GFP was generated by first digesting pUSEamp-asSCCRO with SspI and XhoI and purifying the 1.96 Kbp fragment generated from the digestion.
  • the 1.96 kbp SspI/XhoI fragment comprises DNA antisense to squamous cell carcinoma related antigen (asSCCRO), downstream of the CMV IE promoter (pCMV). This fragment was cloned into the MCS of the RL1.dIRES-GFP smart cassette, in the forward orientation with respect to the GFP gene in RL1.dIRES-GFP ( FIG. 8 ).
  • the resultant plasmid named RL1.dCMV-asSCCRO-GFP, was then linearised and recombinant virus generated and purified as described in Example 2.
  • the plasmid pUSEamp-asSCCRO was obtained from Bhuvanesh Singh, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York.
  • 2 ⁇ g of the RL1.dIRES-GFP plasmid was then digested with 15 units of BglII (Promega), in a suitable volume of 10 ⁇ buffer (Promega) and nuclease free water (Promega), at 37° C. for 16 hrs.
  • the digested plasmid was then purified using the QIAquick PCR purification kit (Qiagen), treated with 5 units of Klenow polymerase (Promega) for 20 minutes at room temperature, then purified again.
  • the purified DNA was then added to 10 units of Calf Intestinal Phosphatase (Promega), in a suitable volume of 10 ⁇ CIP buffer and nuclease free water for 4 hrs at 37° C., before being purified again using the QIAquick PCR purification kit. 5 ⁇ l of the purified DNA was electrophoresed on a 1% agarose gel to check its concentration ( FIG. 9 ).
  • the purified DNA was blunt ended using 5 units of Klenow polymerase (Promega) for 20 minutes at room temperature, then purified again. 5 ⁇ l of the purified DNA fragment was electrophoresed on a 1% agarose gel to check its concentration ( FIG. 10 ).
  • Ligation reactions were carried out in small eppendorf tubes containing 5 units T4 DNA Ligase (Promega), a suitable volume of 10 ⁇ DNA Ligase Buffer (Promega), nuclease free water (Promega) and various volumes of the BglII digested/blunt ended/CIP treated RL1.dIRES-GFP plasmid and blunt ended pCMV-asSCCRO, at 16° C. overnight. Competent JM109 bacterial cells (Promega) were then transformed with various aliqouts of the ligation reactions.
  • RL1.dIRES-GFP plasmid DNA containing the pCMV-asSCCRO insert would produce two fragments of 10.8 Kbp and 1.4 Kbp following digestion with BglII.
  • One clone (clone 11) was found to contain the insert ( FIG. 11 ).
  • the pCMV-asSCCRO insert could have been cloned into RL1.dIRES-GFP in two orientations.
  • clone 11 was digested with 10 units of NruI (Promega), in a suitable volume of 10 ⁇ buffer (Promega) and nuclease free water (Promega), at 37° C. for 16 hrs. If the insert was in the correct orientation, a fragment of 1.64 Kbp would be generated. As a 1.64 Kbp fragment was generated following digestion with NruI ( FIG. 12 ), it was confirmed that pCMV-asSCCRO had been cloned in the desired orientation. This plasmid (clone 11) was named ‘RL1.dCMV-asSCCRO-GFP’.
  • RL1.dCMV-asSCCRO-GFP was linearized by digesting with 10 units of ScaI (Promega), in a suitable volume of 10 ⁇ buffer (Promega) and nuclease free water (Promega), at 37° C. for 16 hrs.
  • a sample (5 ⁇ l) of the digested DNA was electrophoresed on a 1% agarose gel for 1 hr at 110 volts to check that it had been linearized.
  • 80% confluent BHK cells were then co-transfected with a suitable volume of the remaining linearised DNA and HSV-1 DNA.
  • HSV1716/CMV-asSCCRO/GFP was grown and titrated on BHK cells ( FIG. 13 ).
  • HSV1716/CMV-asSCCRO/GFP has been deposited as ‘HSV1716asSCCRO’ in the name of Crusade Laboratories Limited having an address at Department of Neurology Southern General Hospital 1345 Govan Road Govan Glasgow G51 5TF Scotland on 19 May 2004 at the European Collection of Cell Cultures (ECACC), Health Protection Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JG, United Kingdom under accession number 04051901 in accordance with the provisions of the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure (herein referred to as the ‘Budapest Treaty’).
  • HSV1716asSCCRO as a Novel Therapeutic Agent for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer.
  • HSV1716asSCCRO virus was constructed, amplified and purified in accordance with the present invention. Following this, in vitro and in vivo analysis was carried out on a series of head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) cell lines. HNSCC cell lines studied were SCC15, 1483, 1186, 1386, 1986 and 584. The relative expression of SCCRO protein expression in these cell lines was initially determined by western blotting. This showed the cell lines SCC15, 1483 and 1186 had high levels of expression of SCCRO, 1386 intermediate expression and 1986, 584 low expression.
  • HNSCC head and neck squamous cell cancer
  • cell lines SCC15 high expression and 584 (low expression) post virus infection by serial protein expression over a 36 hour period.
  • Cells were infected at an MOI of 1 pfu/cell with HSV1716 or HSV1716asSCCRO and cells harvested and lysed for protein at 12, 24 and 36 hours post infection.
  • Western blotting of the cell line SCC15 showed downregulation of SCCRO protein at 12 hours with HSV1716asSCCRO but not in 584 (see FIG. 19 ). This suggested that this was the mechanism by which HSV1716asSCCRO had enhanced efficacy in cell line SCC15.
  • HSV1716 and HSV1716asSCCRO has great potential as useful therapeutic agents in the treatment of recurrent or locally advanced head and neck cancer by direct intratumoral injection.
  • HSV1716asSCCRO may augment anti-tumour activity in SCCRO over-expressing tumours. Since SCCRO is overexpressed in a significant number of squamous cell cancers of the head and neck this modified virus may be particularly efficacious in this disease. Therefore, the inventors believe that HSV1716asSCCRO will be an important therapeutic agent in head and neck cancer patients with locally advanced or recurrent head and neck cancer, particularly as these cancers are amenable to direct intratumoural injection.
  • a plasmid that contains the siRNA construct designed to target expression of the SCCRO-gene (SEQ ID No. 5) and designated 339i was provided by Dr Bhuv Singh, MSKCC, New York.
  • RNA polIII only transcribes short RNA molecules and the H1 promoter would be insufficient to drive expression of IRES-gfp from the normal recombinant virus producing shuttle vector RL1-del.IRES.gfp so an alternative cloning strategy was adopted.
  • a cassette was constructed in the following manner.
  • the 1.3 kbp blunt-ended EcoRI/AflII fragment that contains the PGK promoter/GFP gene was obtained by restriction digestion followed by Klenow treatment from the vector pSNRG and cloned into the RL1-del vector cut with the restriction enzyme NruI that generates blunt ends.
  • Successful insertion of the PGK/GFP DNA was confirmed by BamHI digestion and the orientation of the inserted DNA identified using the unique XhoI site in RL1-del and the BsrGI site at the 3′ end of PGK/GFP.
  • Plasmids with PGK/GFP in both forward and reverse orientation were obtained and the plasmids were designated RL1-dPGK/GFPfor and RL1-dPGK/GFPrev. Expression of GFP was confirmed in BHK cells transfected with the forward and reverse orientation plasmids.
  • sequences of interest along with their own promoters can then be cloned into either RL1-dPGK/GFPfor or RL1-dPGK/GFPrev in either orientation using the remaining unique BglII, XhoI or HpaI unique restriction enzyme sites.
  • the resulting plasmid can be used to derive recombinant HSV in which the marker GFP gene and the gene of interest are expressed independently from their own promoters
  • a green fluorescent protein (gfp) expression cassette comprising the gfp gene with a Phosphoglycerokinase (PGK) promoter.
  • PGK Phosphoglycerokinase
  • the blunt-ended fragment was ligated into the RL1-del shuttle vector which had been digested with the restriction enzyme Nru1 that produces a blunt-ended cut.
  • Nru1 restriction enzyme
  • the Nru1-cut RL1-del was gel purified and phosphatase-treated using Calf Intestinal Alkaline Phosphatase.
  • the reaction mix was used to transform DH5alpha cells and these were plated-out on LB amp plates. After overnight incubation at 37° C., individual clones from each of the LB amp plates were grown overnight in 3 ml of LB broth and plasmid DNA extracted.
  • plasmids were initially digested with BamHI, as insertion of the H1/siRNA and PGK/gfp cassette increases the size of the RL1 BamHI fragment in the plasmid from 5.4 kbp to 7.0 kbp.
  • 1/24 clones screened demonstrated a 7.0 kbp BamHI fragment and the presence of the H1/siRNA and PGK/EGFP cassette in these plasmids was confirmed by EcoR1, EcoR1/HindIII and EcoR1/SalI digests, the inserted H1/siRNA and PGK/EGFP cassette introduces a novel EcoR1 site into the RL1-del vector.
  • plasmid was prepared and used to transfect BHK cells. Fifty microlitres (50 ⁇ l) of plasmid was mixed with 6 ⁇ l lipofectamine 2000 in a final volume of 100 ⁇ l serum free medium and used to transfect BHK cells plated out on a 13 mm glass coverslip in a 24-well plate. After 48 hrs of transfection the cells were washed once in PBS, incubated for 2 hrs in 4% paraformaldehyde, washed once more in PBS and mounted on microscope slides using Vectashield. The presence of c5% gfp-positive cells following transfection with the RL1-del/339i and RL1-del/Coni plasmids confirmed the presence of the PGK/GFP cassette.
  • the RL1-del/339i and RL1-del/Coni plasmids were linearized using either of the restriction enzymes ScaI and XmnI and the linearized plasmid was used along with viral DNA to transfect BHK cells plated out to c80% confluency in 60 mm dishes.
  • 501 of HSV-1 strain 17+ DNA was added along with 20 ⁇ l lipofectamine 2000 in a final volume of 500 ⁇ l serum free medium and the mix added to the BHK cells. After 4 hrs of transfection, the cells were shocked with 25% DMSO in HBSS for exactly 4 minutes, washed ⁇ 3 with medium and returned to 37° C.
  • Each of the six plaques of Coni and 339i virus was used to infect a T175 flask of Vero cells, after 72 hrs of infection virus was harvested and titred. For 3 each of the Coni and 339i viruses that gave the highest titres 0.5 ml was used to infect a second T175 flask for 24 hrs. Viral DNA was then harvested from each of the 6 flasks. The BamHI-digested viral DNA was Southern blotted with the Alu/Rsa RL1 probe and the band pattern compared to wild type and HSV1716 DNA digested also with BamHI.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Genetics & Genomics (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Bioinformatics & Cheminformatics (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Biotechnology (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • Plant Pathology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Microbiology (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • Medicinal Chemistry (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Pharmacology & Pharmacy (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Proteomics, Peptides & Aminoacids (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Virology (AREA)
  • Oncology (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
  • Medicines That Contain Protein Lipid Enzymes And Other Medicines (AREA)
  • Micro-Organisms Or Cultivation Processes Thereof (AREA)
  • Pharmaceuticals Containing Other Organic And Inorganic Compounds (AREA)
  • Medicines Containing Antibodies Or Antigens For Use As Internal Diagnostic Agents (AREA)
  • Medicines Containing Material From Animals Or Micro-Organisms (AREA)
US10/579,622 2003-11-17 2004-11-17 Mutant viruses Abandoned US20070003520A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/579,622 US20070003520A1 (en) 2003-11-17 2004-11-17 Mutant viruses
US12/436,382 US8530437B2 (en) 2003-11-17 2009-05-06 Methods for treating cancer using herpes simplex virus expressing antisense to the squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0326798.6 2003-11-17
GBGB0326798.6A GB0326798D0 (en) 2003-11-17 2003-11-17 Methods for generating mutant virus
US54130804P 2004-02-03 2004-02-03
PCT/GB2004/004908 WO2005049846A2 (en) 2003-11-17 2004-11-17 Mutant herpes simplex virus and use thereof in the treatment of squamous cell cancer
US10/579,622 US20070003520A1 (en) 2003-11-17 2004-11-17 Mutant viruses

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US12/436,382 Continuation US8530437B2 (en) 2003-11-17 2009-05-06 Methods for treating cancer using herpes simplex virus expressing antisense to the squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20070003520A1 true US20070003520A1 (en) 2007-01-04

Family

ID=34621663

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/579,622 Abandoned US20070003520A1 (en) 2003-11-17 2004-11-17 Mutant viruses
US12/436,382 Active 2025-12-09 US8530437B2 (en) 2003-11-17 2009-05-06 Methods for treating cancer using herpes simplex virus expressing antisense to the squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US12/436,382 Active 2025-12-09 US8530437B2 (en) 2003-11-17 2009-05-06 Methods for treating cancer using herpes simplex virus expressing antisense to the squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (2) US20070003520A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
EP (1) EP1694852B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JP2007511216A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
WO (1) WO2005049846A2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9447156B2 (en) 2011-05-17 2016-09-20 St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Methods and compositions for inhibiting neddylation of proteins

Families Citing this family (41)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB9415320D0 (en) 1994-07-29 1994-09-21 Medical Res Council Cancer treatment
WO2005049846A2 (en) 2003-11-17 2005-06-02 Crusade Laboratories Limited Mutant herpes simplex virus and use thereof in the treatment of squamous cell cancer
US7897146B2 (en) 2003-11-17 2011-03-01 Crusade Laboratories Limited Treatment using herpes simplex virus
WO2008099189A2 (en) * 2007-02-16 2008-08-21 Crusade Laboratories Limited Herpes simplex viruses and methods of viral replication
WO2008156655A2 (en) 2007-06-15 2008-12-24 Genelux Corporation Vaccinia virus vectors encoding a sodium-dependent transporter protein for imaging and/or treatment of tumors
WO2012008860A2 (en) 2010-07-16 2012-01-19 Auckland Uniservices Limited Bacterial nitroreductase enzymes and methods relating thereto
US20130309246A1 (en) * 2011-02-02 2013-11-21 The Trustees Of Princeton University Jagged1 as a marker and therapeutic target for breast cancer bone metastasis
US8859256B2 (en) 2011-10-05 2014-10-14 Genelux Corporation Method for detecting replication or colonization of a biological therapeutic
US20140087362A1 (en) 2012-03-16 2014-03-27 Aladar A. Szalay Methods for assessing effectiveness and monitoring oncolytic virus treatment
US20130280170A1 (en) 2012-04-20 2013-10-24 Aladar A. Szalay Imaging methods for oncolytic virus therapy
EP2662117A1 (en) 2012-05-11 2013-11-13 Virttu Biologics Limited Herpes Simplex Virus for the treatment of liver cancer
US20140140959A1 (en) 2012-10-05 2014-05-22 Aladar A. Szalay Energy Absorbing-Based Diagnostic and Therapeutic Methods Employing Nucleic Acid Molecules Encoding Chromophore-Producing Enzymes
US10238700B2 (en) 2014-01-02 2019-03-26 Genelux Corporation Oncolytic virus adjunct therapy with agents that increase virus infectivity
DK3207130T3 (da) 2014-10-14 2019-11-11 Halozyme Inc Sammensætninger af Adenosin Deaminase-2 (ADA2), varianter deraf og fremgangsmåder til anvendelse af samme
GB201520345D0 (en) * 2015-11-18 2015-12-30 Virttu Biolog Ltd Herpes simplex viruses
EP3442999A2 (en) 2016-04-15 2019-02-20 Alpine Immune Sciences, Inc. Icos ligand variant immunomodulatory proteins and uses thereof
AU2017248830B2 (en) 2016-04-15 2023-03-09 Alpine Immune Sciences, Inc. CD80 variant immunomodulatory proteins and uses thereof
WO2018022946A1 (en) 2016-07-28 2018-02-01 Alpine Immune Sciences, Inc. Cd155 variant immunomodulatory proteins and uses thereof
US11834490B2 (en) 2016-07-28 2023-12-05 Alpine Immune Sciences, Inc. CD112 variant immunomodulatory proteins and uses thereof
US11471488B2 (en) 2016-07-28 2022-10-18 Alpine Immune Sciences, Inc. CD155 variant immunomodulatory proteins and uses thereof
CA3040296A1 (en) 2016-10-20 2018-04-26 Alpine Immune Sciences, Inc. Secretable variant immunomodulatory proteins and engineered cell therapy
CA3047508A1 (en) 2016-12-23 2018-06-28 Virttu Biologics Limited Treatment of cancer
WO2018148462A1 (en) 2017-02-09 2018-08-16 Indapta Therapeutics, Inc. Engineered natural killer (nk) cells and compositions and methods thereof
EP4306537A3 (en) 2017-03-16 2024-03-06 Alpine Immune Sciences, Inc. Pd-l1 variant immunomodulatory proteins and uses thereof
CA3053812A1 (en) 2017-03-16 2018-09-20 Alpine Immune Sciences, Inc. Pd-l2 variant immunomodulatory proteins and uses thereof
CA3054068A1 (en) 2017-03-16 2018-09-20 Alpine Immune Sciences, Inc. Cd80 variant immunomodulatory proteins and uses thereof
KR102776394B1 (ko) 2017-10-18 2025-03-10 알파인 이뮨 사이언시즈, 인코포레이티드 변이체 icos 리간드 면역조절 단백질 및 관련 조성물 및 방법
BR112020013236A2 (pt) 2018-01-03 2020-12-01 Alpine Immune Sciences, Inc. proteínas imunomoduladoras de múltiplos domínios e métodos de seu uso
WO2019213305A1 (en) 2018-05-01 2019-11-07 Albert Einstein College Of Medicine HSV-2-DELTA-gD VACCINES AND METHODS FOR THEIR PRODUCTION AND USE
US11505782B2 (en) 2018-06-04 2022-11-22 Calidi Biotherapeutics, Inc. Cell-based vehicles for potentiation of viral therapy
EP3801584B1 (en) 2018-06-04 2023-09-27 Calidi Biotherapeutics, Inc. Cell-based vehicles for potentiation of viral therapy
US12065476B2 (en) 2018-06-15 2024-08-20 Alpine Immune Sciences, Inc. PD-1 variant immunomodulatory proteins and uses thereof
WO2020047161A2 (en) 2018-08-28 2020-03-05 Actym Therapeutics, Inc. Engineered immunostimulatory bacterial strains and uses thereof
WO2020097269A1 (en) 2018-11-06 2020-05-14 Calidi Biotherapeutics, Inc. Enhanced systems for cell-mediated oncolytic viral therapy
JP7541516B2 (ja) 2018-11-21 2024-08-28 インダプタ セラピューティクス インコーポレイテッド ナチュラルキラー（ｎｋ）細胞サブセットの増大のための方法ならびに関連する組成物および方法
AU2019389151B2 (en) 2018-11-30 2025-07-24 Alpine Immune Sciences, Inc. CD86 variant immunomodulatory proteins and uses thereof
US12024709B2 (en) 2019-02-27 2024-07-02 Actym Therapeutics, Inc. Immunostimulatory bacteria engineered to colonize tumors, tumor-resident immune cells, and the tumor microenvironment
EP3931210A1 (en) 2019-02-27 2022-01-05 Actym Therapeutics, Inc. Immunostimulatory bacteria engineered to colonize tumors, tumor-resident immune cells, and the tumor microenvironment
CN116368221A (zh) 2020-04-22 2023-06-30 因达普塔治疗公司 自然杀伤(nk)细胞组合物及其生成方法
WO2022147480A1 (en) 2020-12-30 2022-07-07 Ansun Biopharma, Inc. Oncolytic virus encoding sialidase and multispecific immune cell engager
WO2025129492A1 (zh) * 2023-12-20 2025-06-26 中国科学院深圳先进技术研究院 一种减毒单纯疱疹病毒在制备神经环路逆向示踪工具病毒中的应用

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5922576A (en) * 1998-02-27 1999-07-13 The John Hopkins University Simplified system for generating recombinant adenoviruses
US6025127A (en) * 1994-01-14 2000-02-15 The Johns Hopkins University School Of Medicine Nucleic acid mutation detection in histologic tissue
US20030022329A1 (en) * 2000-04-18 2003-01-30 Tang Y. Tom Novel nucleic acids and polypeptides
US6573090B1 (en) * 1998-12-09 2003-06-03 The General Hospital Corporation Enhanced packaging of herpes virus amplicons and generation of recombinant virus vectors
US20040009541A1 (en) * 2002-02-08 2004-01-15 Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Novel carcinoma-related genes and polypeptides and methods of use thereof
US20040048277A1 (en) * 2000-11-09 2004-03-11 Christophe Echeverri Eukaryotic cell division genes and their use in diagnosis and treatment of proliferative diseases

Family Cites Families (26)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5965138A (en) 1985-09-06 1999-10-12 Syntro Corporation Recombinant chimeric virus and uses thereof
AU623913B2 (en) 1988-06-24 1992-05-28 British Technology Group Limited Fowlpox virus non-essential regions
EP1380651A2 (en) 1991-08-26 2004-01-14 Baxter Healthcare S.A. Recombinant fowlpox virus with intact FPV-tk-gene
EP0722493A1 (en) 1993-07-27 1996-07-24 THE WISTAR INSTITUTE OF ANATOMY & BIOLOGY Modified dna virus vectors and uses therefor
GB9415320D0 (en) 1994-07-29 1994-09-21 Medical Res Council Cancer treatment
EP0753581A1 (en) 1995-07-10 1997-01-15 Immuno Ag Improved recombinant eukaryotic cytoplasmic viruses, method for their production and their use as vaccines
ZA966287B (en) 1995-07-27 1998-03-09 American Cyanamid Co Avirulent herpetic viruses useful as tumoricidal agents and vaccines.
WO1997014808A2 (en) 1995-10-19 1997-04-24 St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Herpesvirus vectors and their uses
EP0895476B1 (en) 1996-01-25 2003-06-04 The University Court Of The University Of Glasgow Hsv mutant 1716 for the treatment of mesotheliomas
US5998174A (en) 1997-05-12 1999-12-07 University Of Pittsburgh Of The Commonwealth System Of Higher Education Multigene vectors
GB9801930D0 (en) 1998-01-29 1998-03-25 Univ London Mutant herpes simplex viruses and uses thereof
AU3391200A (en) 1999-03-04 2000-09-21 Corixa Corporation Compositions and methods for breast cancer therapy and diagnosis
US6428968B1 (en) * 1999-03-15 2002-08-06 The Trustees Of The University Of Pennsylvania Combined therapy with a chemotherapeutic agent and an oncolytic virus for killing tumor cells in a subject
SI1212428T1 (en) 1999-08-31 2005-06-30 The General Hospital Corporation Cell-specific and/or tumor-specific promoter retargeting of herpes gamma 34.5 gene expression
GB9930418D0 (en) 1999-12-22 2000-02-16 Neurovex Ltd Replication incompetent herpes virus vectors
EP1252323B1 (en) * 2000-01-21 2005-12-07 BioVex Limited Virus strains for the oncolytic treatment of cancer
WO2002050249A2 (en) * 2000-12-21 2002-06-27 Myriad Genetics, Inc. Protein-protein interactions
US20040235171A1 (en) * 2001-07-17 2004-11-25 Milner Ann Josephine Silencing of gene expression by sirna
GB0203285D0 (en) * 2002-02-12 2002-03-27 Brown Susanne M An herpes simplex virus complex
US7288529B2 (en) * 2003-04-24 2007-10-30 New York University ALK protein tyrosine kinase, cells and methods embodying and using same
WO2007026146A1 (en) 2005-08-30 2007-03-08 Crusade Laboratories Limited Treatment using herpes simplex virus
GB0326798D0 (en) 2003-11-17 2003-12-24 Crusade Lab Ltd Methods for generating mutant virus
WO2005049846A2 (en) 2003-11-17 2005-06-02 Crusade Laboratories Limited Mutant herpes simplex virus and use thereof in the treatment of squamous cell cancer
EP2016182B8 (en) 2006-05-11 2015-09-02 Virttu Biologics Limited Mutant hsv, materials and methods for generation of mutant hsv
WO2008099189A2 (en) 2007-02-16 2008-08-21 Crusade Laboratories Limited Herpes simplex viruses and methods of viral replication
GB0714578D0 (en) 2007-07-26 2007-09-05 Crusade Lab Ltd Viruses

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6025127A (en) * 1994-01-14 2000-02-15 The Johns Hopkins University School Of Medicine Nucleic acid mutation detection in histologic tissue
US5922576A (en) * 1998-02-27 1999-07-13 The John Hopkins University Simplified system for generating recombinant adenoviruses
US6573090B1 (en) * 1998-12-09 2003-06-03 The General Hospital Corporation Enhanced packaging of herpes virus amplicons and generation of recombinant virus vectors
US20030022329A1 (en) * 2000-04-18 2003-01-30 Tang Y. Tom Novel nucleic acids and polypeptides
US20040048277A1 (en) * 2000-11-09 2004-03-11 Christophe Echeverri Eukaryotic cell division genes and their use in diagnosis and treatment of proliferative diseases
US20040009541A1 (en) * 2002-02-08 2004-01-15 Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Novel carcinoma-related genes and polypeptides and methods of use thereof

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9447156B2 (en) 2011-05-17 2016-09-20 St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Methods and compositions for inhibiting neddylation of proteins

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US8530437B2 (en) 2013-09-10
WO2005049846A9 (en) 2006-10-19
EP1694852A2 (en) 2006-08-30
JP2007511216A (ja) 2007-05-10
EP1694852B1 (en) 2010-10-13
WO2005049846A3 (en) 2005-10-06
WO2005049846A2 (en) 2005-06-02
US20090274728A1 (en) 2009-11-05

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US8530437B2 (en) Methods for treating cancer using herpes simplex virus expressing antisense to the squamous cell carcinoma related oncogene
EP2281897A2 (en) Oncolytic mutant Herpes Simplex virus
AU2018230046B9 (en) Recombinant Herpes simplex virus and use thereof
US7897146B2 (en) Treatment using herpes simplex virus
US6641817B1 (en) Herpes virus vectors for dendritic cells
JP2003520044A (ja) ヘルペスウイルス株
KR20060039013A (ko) 바이러스 벡터
JPH11506931A (ja) 腫瘍または細胞特異的な単純ヘルペスウイルスの複製
KR20210098483A (ko) 신경독성이 감소된 hsv 벡터
EP2016182B1 (en) Mutant hsv, materials and methods for generation of mutant hsv
Grandi et al. Design and application of oncolytic HSV vectors for glioblastoma therapy
JP2001508294A (ja) 真核細胞遺伝子発現カセットおよびその使用
WO2017085175A1 (en) Herpes simplex viruses
CA2383372C (en) Cell-specific and/or tumor-specific promoter retargeting of herpes gamma 34.5 gene expression
CN109641020A (zh) 在癌细胞中具有增强复制的hsv载体
US20220002680A1 (en) Regulatable fusogenic oncolytic herpes simplex virus type 1 virus and methods of use
AU2005235826A1 (en) Method of constructing recombinant herpes simplex virus
EP3594328A1 (en) Recombinant herpes simplex virus and use thereof
CN100489091C (zh) 可分泌血管抑素和内皮抑素蛋白的重组单疱疹病毒及其在治疗肺癌中的应用

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: SLOAN-KETTERING INSTITUTE FOR CANCER RESEARCH, NEW

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:GANLY, IAN;REEL/FRAME:017896/0804

Effective date: 20051209

Owner name: CRUSADE LABORATORIES LIMITED, UNITED KINGDOM

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:BROWN, SUSANNE MOIRA;REEL/FRAME:017898/0177

Effective date: 20050214

Owner name: SLOAN-KETTERING INSTITUTE FOR CANCER RESEARCH, NEW

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SINGH, BHUVANESH;REEL/FRAME:017898/0190

Effective date: 20051024

Owner name: CRUSADE LABORATORIES LIMITED, UNITED KINGDOM

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:DUNN, PAUL;REEL/FRAME:017898/0181

Effective date: 20031219

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION