Figure 6
Enhanced therapeutic efficacy in tumor xenografts with ME using an anti-VEGF scAb-encoding VACV. (A-F) PC14PE6-RFP tumor-bearing mice were either iv infected with 1 × 107 pfu GLV-1h68 or 1 x107 GLV-1h108 14 dpim (n = 7). (A) PC14PE6-RFP tumor growth was monitored over 21 days pi by measuring the tumor volume revealing a continuous tumor growth in the GLV-1h68-infected group and a significant tumor regression in the GLV-1h108 treated group. Shown are the mean values +/− standard deviations. (B) same mice as shown in A were individually monitored for ME formation during the study; ME formation was evaluated by skin color of the tumor area (hematoma); skin color index indicating increased hematoma: skin-coloured – light blue – middle blue; white square: area of tumor necrosis, cross: euthanization. (C, D) real-time fluorescence imaging of tumor growth (RFP) and viral infection (GFP) during growth curve analysis at day 7, 14, and 21 pi using the Maestro EX imaging system. (C) representative fluorescence image of GLV-1h68- and GLV-1h108-infected PC14PE6-RFP-tumor-bearing mice 14 dpi. (E,F) representative microscopic images of 15 μm-thick PC14PE6-RFP tumor sections 21 dpi either infected with GLV-1h108 (E) or GLV-1h68 (F); PC14PE6-RFP tumor cells (red), viral infected GFP-expressing cells (green). All images are representative examples. Scale bars represent 5 mm (E, F).