The oncolytic activity of myxoma virus against soft tissue sarcoma is mediated by the overexpression of ribonucleotide reductase Journal Article


Authors: Woo, Y.; Warner, S. G.; Geha, R.; Stanford, M. M.; Decarolis, P.; Rahman, M. M.; Singer, S.; McFadden, G.; Fong, Y.
Article Title: The oncolytic activity of myxoma virus against soft tissue sarcoma is mediated by the overexpression of ribonucleotide reductase
Abstract: Background: Myxoma virus (MYXV) is an oncolytic poxvirus that lacks the gene for 1 of the subunits of ribonucleotide reductase (RR), a crucial DNA synthesis and repair enzyme. The overexpression of RR has been implicated in the invasiveness of several cancers, including soft tissue sarcomas (STS). The purpose of the study was to investigate the oncolytic efficacy of MYXV in STS with different levels of RR expression. Methods: The oncolytic effect of recombinant MYXV was evaluated in 4 human STS cell lines, LS141 (a dedifferentiated liposarcoma), DDLS8817 (a dedifferentiated liposarcoma), RDD2213 (recurrent dedifferentiated liposarcoma), and HSSYII (a synovial sarcoma) using infectivity and cytotoxicity assays. Following the overexpression of RRM2 by cDNA transfection and silencing of RRM2 by siRRM2 in these STS cell lines, the RRM2 expression levels were analyzed by Western blot. Results: We observed a direct correlation between viral oncolysis and RRM2 mRNA levels (R = 0.96) in STS. Higher RRM2 expression was associated with a more robust cell kill. Silencing the RRM2 gene led to significantly greater cell survival (80%) compared with the control group (P =.003), whereas overexpression of the RRM2 increased viral oncolysis by 33% (P <.001). Conclusions: Our results show that the oncolytic effects of MYXV correlate directly with RR expression levels and are enhanced in STS cell lines with naturally occurring or artificially induced high expression levels of RR. Myxoma virus holds promise in the treatment of advanced soft tissue cancer, especially in tumors overexpressing RR. © The Author(s) 2021.
Keywords: biomarker; soft tissue sarcoma; ribonucleotide reductase; oncolytic viral therapy; myxoma virus
Journal Title: Clinical Medicine Insights: Oncology
Volume: 15
ISSN: 1179-5549
Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd.  
Date Published: 2021-02-11
Language: English
DOI: 10.1177/1179554921993069
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC7887694
PUBMED: 33633477
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 1 March 2021 -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Rula Christine Geha
    11 Geha
  2. Yanghee Woo
    18 Woo
  3. Yuman Fong
    775 Fong
  4. Samuel Singer
    337 Singer