Systemic Treatment of Metastatic and/or Systemically-Disseminated Cancers using GM-CSF-Expressing Poxviruses

Abstract

The present invention concerns methods and compositions for the treatment of cancer and cancer cells using intravascular administration of a vaccinia virus. In some embodiments, methods and compositions involve a replicative vaccinia virus that encodes GM-CSF.

Description

[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 714,679 filed Sep. 7, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]I. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates generally to the fields of oncology and virology. More particularly, it concerns vaccinia viruses that express GM-CSF and their use in systemic administration to treat cancer.[0004]II. Description of Related Art[0005]Normal tissue homeostasis is a highly regulated process of cell proliferation and cell death. An imbalance of either cell proliferation or cell death can develop into a cancerous state (Solyanik et al., 1995; Stokke et al., 1997; Mumby and Walter, 1991; Natoli et al., 1998; Magi-Galluzzi et al., 1998). For example, cervical, kidney, lung, pancreatic, colorectal and brain cancer are just a few examples of the many cancers that can result (Erlandsson, 1998; Kolmel, 1998; Mangray and King, 1998; Gertig and H...

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Benefits of technology

[0021]Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating specific embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

Problems solved by technology

Currently, there are few effective options for the treatment of many common cancer types.

However, if the cancer has metastasized and is widespread, surgery is unlikely to result in a cure and an alternate approach must be taken.

The effectiveness of a given anti-cancer drug therapy often is limited by the difficulty of achieving drug delivery throughout solid tumors (el-Kareh and Secomb, 1997).

A major side effect of chemotherapy drugs is that they also affect normal tissue cells, with the cells most likely to be affected being those that divide rapidly in some cases (e.g., bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract, reproductive system and hair follicles).

Other toxic side effects of chemotherapy drugs can include sores in the mouth, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue, bleeding, hair loss and infection.

Unfortunately, the response typically is not sufficient to prevent most tumor growth.

Such methods, while showing some promise, have demonstrated limited success.

However, major limitations exist to this therapeutic approach.

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