Jennifer Altomonte, Sabrina Marozin, Enrico N De Toni, Antonia Rizzani, Irene Esposito, Katja Steiger, Annette Feuchtinger, Claus Hellerbrand, Roland M Schmid und Oliver Ebert. (24-09-2013).

Molecular Therapy, 2013, mt.2013.181, doi:10.1038

Department: 

Research Area C

Abstract: 

Recombinant  vesicular  stomatitis  virus  (VSV)  shows promise for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma  (HCC), but its safety and efficacy when administered in a setting of hepatic fibrosis, which occurs in the majority of clinical cases, is unknown. We hypothesized that VSV could provide a novel benefit to the underlying fibrosis, due to its ability to replicate and cause cell death specifically in activated hepatic stellate cells. In addition to the ability of VSV to produce a significant oncolytic response in HCC-bearing rats in the background of thioacetamideinduced hepatic fibrosis without signs of hepatotoxicity, we observed a significant downgrading of fibrosis stage, a decrease in collagen content in the liver, and modulation  of  gene  expression  in  favor  of  fibrotic  regression. Together, this work  suggests  that  VSV  is  not  only  safe and effective for the treatment of HCC with underlying fibrosis, but it could potentially be developed for clinical application as a novel antifibrotic agent.