TREATMENT OF NON-NEURONAL CANCER USING HSV-1 VARIANTS
A mutant herpes simplex virus which has been modified in the γ34.5 gene such that the gene is non-functional is used to treat a non-neuronal cancer such as a mesothelioma, ovarian carcinoma, bladder cancer or melanoma. Typically, the mutant herpes simplex virus has been modified within the BamHI restriction fragment of the long terminal repeat of the viral genome.
1 . A method of treating a non-neuronal cancer which does not occur in the central nervous system, and comprises a non-neuronal tumor cell, in a mammal, wherein the cancer is a mesothelioma, said method comprising the step of administering to the mammal an effective amount of a mutant herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) said HSV-1 consisting of an HSV-1 genome which is modified in respect of the wild-type by modification to the HSV-1 genome wherein said modification consists of mutation in the γ34.5 gene so as to become a non-functional γ34.5 gene, wherein the HSV-1 infects, replicates within, and lyses said non-neuronal tumor cell in said mammal, thereby treating the non-neuronal cancer.
2 . The method according to claim 1 wherein the mammal is a human.
3 . The method according to claim 1 wherein the cancer is a primary tumor.
4 . The method according to claim 1 wherein the cancer is a metastatic tumor.
5 . (canceled)
6 . The method according to claim 1 wherein the mutant herpes simplex virus is modified within the Bam HI s restriction fragment of the long repeat region (R L ) of the viral genome.
7 . The method according to claim 1 wherein the mutant herpes simplex virus is modified within the Bam HI s restriction fragment of the long repeat region (R L ) of the viral genome, wherein the modification is a deletion of from 0.1 to 3 Kb.
8 . The method according to claim 1 wherein the mutant herpes simplex virus is modified within the Bam HI s restriction fragment of the long repeat region (R L ) of the viral genome, wherein the modification is a deletion of from 0.7 to 0.8 Kb.
9 . The method according to claim 1 wherein the modification is a 759 bp deletion in the γ34.5 gene.
10 . The method according to claim 1 wherein the mutant herpes simplex virus is a mutant of strain 17.
11 . The method according to claim 1 wherein the mutant herpes simplex virus is HSV1716.
12 .- 13 . (canceled)