Evaluation of pseudorabies virus as a gene transfer vector and an oncolytic agent for human tumor cells

BACKGROUND: Psuedorabies virus (PrV) is a neurotropic herpesvirus with a wide host-range including several mammalian species, but the virus is non-pathogenic for humans. We have evaluated PrV as a gene delivery vector for human tumor cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SK-N-SH (neuroblastoma), U-87MG (glioblastoma) and Hep-2 (hepatoma) cells were infected with five different mutant PrV strains carrying the lacZ or gfp reporter gene. Mouse and human colon tumors were treated with a ribonucleotide reductase null mutant PrV in a mouse model. RESULTS: PrV penetrated the cells and expressed the reporter genes. The viruses could replicate and egress mature virions from the infected cells. The tested virus could infect and destroy both mouse and human tumors in vivo without signs of disease related to PrV infection. CONCLUSION: PrV can infect and spread in human cell culture and in tumor tissues. Thus, PrV might be considered as a potential gene delivery vector to human tumor cells, as well as an oncolytic agent for human tumors.