Anticancer effect of the oncolytic Newcastle disease virus harboring the PTEN gene on glioblastoma

• Published in: Oncology letters Vol. 29; no. 1; p. 6
• Main Authors: Kim, Seonhee, Jung, Bo-Kyoung, Kim, Jinju, Jeon, Joo Hee, Kim, Minsoo, Jang, Sung Hoon, Kim, Cuk-Seong, Jang, Hyun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Greece D.A. Spandidos 01.01.2025; Spandidos Publications; Spandidos Publications UK Ltd
• Subjects: Analysis; Apoptosis; Brain cancer; Brain tumors; Cancer; Cancer therapies; Care and treatment; Cell death; Cell growth; Diseases; Gene mutations; Genes; Genetic aspects; Genetic vectors; glioblastoma; Glioblastoma multiforme; Glioma; Growth factors; Health aspects; Infections; Kinases; Medical prognosis; Mutation; Newcastle disease; Newcastle disease virus; orthotopic mouse model; Paramyxoviruses; Penicillin; Phosphatase; phosphatase and tensin homolog; Phosphatases; Prognosis; Proteins; South Korea; Tumor suppressor genes; Tumors; Viruses; South Korea; apoptosis; orthotopic mouse model; phosphatase and tensin homolog; glioblastoma; Newcastle disease virus
• ISSN: 1792-1074; 1792-1082
• DOI: 10.3892/ol.2024.14752

Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most lethal types of human brain cancer and is characterized by rapid growth, an aggressive nature and a poor prognosis. GBM is highly heterogeneous, and often involves several genetic mutations and abnormalities. Genetic disorders or low expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) are associated with GBM occurrence, progression and poor prognosis of patients with GBM. However, effective delivery of PTEN for expression in GBM cells within the brain remains challenging. The aim of the present study was to develop a therapeutic strategy to restore PTEN expression in GBM cells by utilizing a recombinant Newcastle disease virus (rNDV) vector expressing the human PTEN gene (rNDV-PTEN). Methods included infection of U87-MG cells with rNDV-PTEN, followed by assessments of PTEN expression, and cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis. Additionally, an orthotopic GBM mouse model was used to evaluate the in vivo efficacy of rNDV-PTEN. Infection with recombinant rNDV-PTEN treatment increased PTEN protein expression in the cytoplasm of the U87-MG cells, reduced cell proliferation and migration, and induced apoptosis by inhibiting the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. In the orthotopic GBM mouse model, rNDV-PTEN significantly reduced tumor size and improved survival rates. Magnetic resonance imaging and in vivo imaging analyses confirmed the targeted delivery and efficacy of rNDV-PTEN. These findings highlight the usefulness of rNDV-PTEN as a promising therapeutic agent for GBM, representing a potential advancement in treatment, especially for patients with PTEN deficiency.