Oncolytic vaccinia virus therapy of salivary gland carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE To examine the therapeutic effects of an attenuated, replication-competent vaccinia virus (GLV-1h68) against a panel of 5 human salivary gland carcinoma cell lines. DESIGN The susceptibility of 5 salivary gland carcinoma cell lines to infection and oncolysis by GLV-1h68 was assessed in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS All 5 cell lines were susceptible to viral infection, transgene expression, and cytotoxic reactions. Three cell lines were exquisitely sensitive to infection by very low doses of GLV-1h68. Orthotopic parotid tumors exhibited more aggressive behavior compared with flank tumors. A single intratumoral injection of GLV-1h68 induced significant tumor regression without observed toxic effects in flank and parotid tumor models; controls demonstrated rapid tumor progression. CONCLUSION These promising results demonstrate significant oncolytic activity by an attenuated vaccinia virus for infecting and lysing salivary gland carcinomas, supporting future clinical trials.