Synergistic Antitumor Effects of Immune Cell-Viral Biotherapy

TLDR

Targeted biological therapies promise cancer treatment, but delivery and tumor targeting limitations have hindered their clinical use. The study aimed to combine cytokine‑induced killer (CIK) cells with an oncolytic vaccinia virus to deliver the virus directly to tumors and induce regression in mouse models. CIK cells were pre‑infected with a modified vaccinia virus, keeping the virus latent until the cells reached the tumor, where it was released to act on the tumor. Whole‑body imaging showed that the virus‑laden CIK cells trafficked to and infiltrated tumors before releasing the virus, demonstrating synergistic antitumor activity in both immunodeficient and immunocompetent mice.

Abstract

Targeted biological therapies hold tremendous potential for treatment of cancer, yet their use has been limited by constraints on delivery and effective tumor targeting. We combined an immune effector cell population [cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells] with an oncolytic viral therapy to achieve directed delivery to, and regression of, tumors in both immunodeficient and immunocompetent mouse models. Preinfection of CIK cells with modified vaccinia virus resulted in a prolonged eclipse phase with the virus remaining hidden until interaction with the tumor. Whole-body imaging revealed that the cells retained their ability to traffic to and to infiltrate the tumor effectively before releasing the virus. These results illustrate the potential of combining biotherapeutics for synergistic effects that more effectively treat cancer.