The potential for efficacy of the modified (ICP 34.5(-)) herpes simplex virus HSV1716 following intratumoural injection into human malignant glioma: a proof of principle study

We have previously demonstrated the safety of intratumoural administration of the selectively replication-competent herpes simplex virus mutant HSV1716 in patients with high-grade glioma (HGG). Here we show its potential for efficacy by demonstrating that the virus survives and replicates when injected into the tumours of patients. Since HSV replication is a cytolytic process it must result in tumour cell killing. Twelve patients with biopsy-verified HGG received an intratumoural injection of 101 plaque-forming units (p.f.u.) of HSV1716. Four to 9 days after inoculation, tumours were removed and assayed for evidence of viral replication. In two patients, HSV1716, in excess of the input dose was recovered from the injection site. HSV DNA was detected by PCR at the sites of inoculation in 10 patients and at distal tumour sites in four. HSV-specific antigen was detected in tumour tissue from two patients. In five patients an immunological response to HSV1716, as detected by changes in levels of IgG and IgM, was demonstrated. This study demonstrates that HSV1716 replicates in HGG without causing toxicity in both HSV-seropositive and -seronegative patients.