OH2 oncolytic virus: A novel approach to glioblastoma intervention through direct targeting of tumor cells and augmentation of anti-tumor immune responses

• Published in: Cancer letters 2024-05, Vol.589, p.216834-216834, Article 216834
• Main Authors: Zheng, Yi, Wang, Xiaomin, Ji, Qiang, Fang, Aizhong, Song, Lairong, Xu, Xiaoying, Lin, Yi, Peng, Yichen, Yu, Jianyu, Xie, Lei, Chen, Feng, Li, Xiaojie, Zhu, Sipeng, Zhang, Botao, Zhou, Lili, Yu, Chunna, Wang, YaLi, Wang, Liang, Hu, Han, Zhang, Ziyi, Liu, Binlei, Wu, Zhen, Li, Wenbin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: DNA damage; Glioblastoma; Immune microenvironment; OH2; Oncolytic viral
• ISSN: 0304-3835; 1872-7980
• DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216834

Glioblastoma (GBM), the deadliest central nervous system cancer, presents a poor prognosis and scant therapeutic options. Our research spotlights OH2, an oncolytic viral therapy derived from herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2), which demonstrates substantial antitumor activity and favorable tolerance in GBM. The extraordinary efficacy of OH2 emanates from its unique mechanisms: it selectively targets tumor cells replication, powerfully induces cytotoxic DNA damage stress, and kindles anti-tumor immune responses. Through single-cell RNA sequencing analysis, we discovered that OH2 not only curtails the proliferation of cancer cells and tumor-associated macrophages (TAM)-M2 but also bolsters the infiltration of macrophages, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Further investigation into molecular characteristics affecting OH2 sensitivity revealed potential influencers such as TTN, HMCN2 or IRS4 mutations, CDKN2A/B deletion and IDO1 amplification. This study marks the first demonstration of an HSV-2 derived OV's effectiveness against GBM. Significantly, these discoveries have driven the initiation of a phase I/II clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05235074). This trial is designed to explore the potential of OH2 as a therapeutic option for patients with recurrent central nervous system tumors following surgical intervention. •OH2 possesses the capability to selectively replicate and induce cytotoxic DNA damage in GBM.•OH2 reshapes the tumor immune microenvironment, boosting the presence of macrophages, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells while reducing TAM-M2.•Potential factors influencing OH2 sensitivity include mutations in TTN, HMCN2, or IRS4, as well as CNAs of CDKN2A/B or IDO1.