Anti-Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Gene Therapy for Glioblastoma.

Publication Type	Academic Article
Authors	Hicks M, Chiuchiolo M, Ballon D, Dyke J, Aronowitz E, Funato K, Tabar V, Havlicek D, Fan F, Sondhi D, Kaminsky S, Crystal R
Journal	PLoS One
Volume	11
Issue	10
Pagination	e0162978
Date Published	10/06/2016
ISSN	1932-6203
Keywords	Cetuximab, ErbB Receptors, Genetic Therapy, Glioblastoma
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.
DOI	10.1371/journal.pone.0162978
PubMed ID	27711187
PubMed Central ID	PMC5053413