Oncolytic Newcastle disease virus (NDV) replicates selectively in most human tumor cells but not in normal cells. The relationship between tumorigenesis and the selective susceptibility of most tumor cells to oncolytic NDV replication is poorly understood. A multistage skin carcinogenesis model derived from non-tumorigenic HaCaT cells was used to systematically investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in the oncolytic NDVsensitivity associated with tumorigenic transformation. No significant differences in interferon signaling were observed between the virus-sensitive tumor cells and the virus-resistant non-tumorigenic parental cells. Oncogenic H-Ras, which had been used for tumorigenic transformation, was shown to be necessary for virus replication but was not sufficient to render cells susceptible to NDV replication. By using an siRNA screening approach to search for virus-sensitizing genes in the tumorigenic cells, we could identify the small GTPase Rac1 as an oncogenic protein that is essential for NDV replication and anchorage-independent growth in tumorigenic cells. Furthermore, Rac1 expression was sufficient to render non-tumorigenic cells susceptible to NDV replication and to oncolytic cytotoxicity. This study establishes Rac1 as a link between tumorigenesis and oncolytic virus sensitivity in the HaCaT multistage skin carcinogenesis model.

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The most advanced oncolytic Newcastle disease virus (NDV) strains that are used in clinical trials for the treatment of cancer are wild-type mesogenic strains. These virus strains have an inherent, nongenetically engineered, oncolytic activity and selectively replicate in tumor cells but not in normal human cells. To date no investigations have been performed with genetically engineered mesogenic NDV regarding the oncolytic activity. We describe here the generation of recombinant viruses of the mesogenic naturally oncolytic NDV strain MTH68. We show that not only one, but also two additional transgenes coding for amino-acid chains with a molecular weight of 25 and 50 kDa can be inserted into the viral genome without affecting viral growth, oncolytic potency or tumor-selective replication of the virus. Transgenic expression of the heavy and light chains of a monoclonal antibody, as separate additional transcriptional cassettes, leads to the expression of full immunoglobulin G (IgG) monoclonal antibody by recombinant NDV. Infection of tumor cells with antibody-transgenic viruses results in the efficient production and secretion of a functional full size IgG antibody by the tumor cells, that specifically binds to its target-antigen in tumor tissue. This approach will allow to combine the advantages of oncolytic RNA viruses and monoclonal antibodies in a single powerful anticancer agent with improved or even new therapeutic properties.

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