Anti-Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Gene Therapy for Glioblastoma

PLoS One. 2016 Oct 6;11(10):e0162978. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0162978. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary intracranial brain tumor in adults with a mean survival of 14 to 15 months. Aberrant activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) plays a significant role in GBM progression, with amplification or overexpression of EGFR in 60% of GBM tumors. To target EGFR expressed by GBM, we have developed a strategy to deliver the coding sequence for cetuximab, an anti-EGFR antibody, directly to the CNS using an adeno-associated virus serotype rh.10 gene transfer vector. The data demonstrates that single, local delivery of an anti-EGFR antibody by an AAVrh.10 vector coding for cetuximab (AAVrh.10Cetmab) reduces GBM tumor growth and increases survival in xenograft mouse models of a human GBM EGFR-expressing cell line and patient-derived GBM. AAVrh10.CetMab-treated mice displayed a reduction in cachexia, a significant decrease in tumor volume and a prolonged survival following therapy. Adeno-associated-directed delivery of a gene encoding a therapeutic anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody may be an effective strategy to treat GBM.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / genetics
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic
  • Cetuximab / genetics*
  • Cetuximab / immunology*
  • Cetuximab / therapeutic use
  • Dependovirus / genetics
  • ErbB Receptors / immunology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Genetic Therapy / methods*
  • Genetic Vectors / genetics
  • Glioblastoma / genetics*
  • Glioblastoma / pathology
  • Glioblastoma / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Survival Analysis

Substances

  • ErbB Receptors
  • Cetuximab