Systemic Delivery of an Oncolytic Adenovirus Expressing Decorin for the Treatment of Breast Cancer Bone Metastases

Hum Gene Ther. 2015 Dec;26(12):813-25. doi: 10.1089/hum.2015.098. Epub 2015 Nov 10.

Abstract

The development of novel therapies for breast cancer bone metastasis is a major unmet medical need. Toward that end, we have constructed an oncolytic adenovirus, Ad.dcn, and a nonreplicating adenovirus, Ad(E1-).dcn, both containing the human decorin gene. Our in vitro studies showed that Ad.dcn produced high levels of viral replication and the decorin protein in the breast tumor cells. Ad(E1-).dcn-mediated decorin expression in MDA-MB-231 cells downregulated the expression of Met, β-catenin, and vascular endothelial growth factor A, all of which are recognized decorin targets and play pivotal roles in the progression of breast tumor growth and metastasis. Adenoviral-mediated decorin expression inhibited cell migration and induced mitochondrial autophagy in MDA-MB-231 cells. Mice bearing MDA-MB-231-luc skeletal metastases were systemically administered with the viral vectors, and skeletal tumor growth was monitored over time. The results of bioluminescence imaging and X-ray radiography indicated that Ad.dcn and Ad(E1-).dcn significantly inhibited the progression of bone metastases. At the terminal time point, histomorphometric analysis, micro-computed tomography, and bone destruction biomarkers showed that Ad.dcn and Ad(E1-).dcn reduced tumor burden and inhibited bone destruction. A nonreplicating adenovirus Ad(E1-).luc expressing the luciferase 2 gene had no significant effect on inhibiting bone metastases, and in several assays, Ad.dcn and Ad(E1-).dcn were better than Ad.luc, a replicating virus expressing the luciferase 2 gene. Our data suggest that adenoviral replication coupled with decorin expression could produce effective antitumor responses in a MDA-MB-231 bone metastasis model of breast cancer. Thus, Ad.dcn could potentially be developed as a candidate gene therapy vector for treating breast cancer bone metastases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adenoviridae / genetics*
  • Adenoviridae / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Bone Neoplasms / genetics
  • Bone Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Bone Neoplasms / secondary
  • Bone Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Bone Resorption / genetics
  • Bone Resorption / metabolism
  • Bone Resorption / pathology
  • Bone Resorption / prevention & control*
  • Bone and Bones / metabolism
  • Bone and Bones / pathology
  • Decorin / genetics*
  • Decorin / metabolism
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Genetic Vectors / chemistry
  • Genetic Vectors / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Luciferases / genetics
  • Luciferases / metabolism
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / genetics
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / metabolism
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / pathology
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / therapy*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Oncolytic Virotherapy / methods
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transgenes
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / genetics
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism
  • beta Catenin / genetics
  • beta Catenin / metabolism

Substances

  • CTNNB1 protein, mouse
  • Dcn protein, mouse
  • Decorin
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • beta Catenin
  • vascular endothelial growth factor A, mouse
  • Luciferases
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met