Safety, biodistribution and viral shedding of oncolytic vaccinia virus TG6002 administered intravenously in healthy beagle dogs

Oncolytic virotherapy is an emerging strategy that uses replication-competent viruses to kill tumor cells. We have reported the oncolytic effects of TG6002, a recombinant oncolytic vaccinia virus, in preclinical human xenograft models and canine tumor explants. To assess the safety, biodistribution and shedding of TG6002 administered by the intravenous route, we conducted a study in immune-competent healthy dogs. Three dogs each received a single intravenous injection of TG6002 at 10(5) PFU/kg, 10(6) PFU/kg or 10(7) PFU/kg, and one dog received three intravenous injections at 10(7) PFU/kg. The injections were well tolerated without any clinical, hematological or biochemical adverse events. Viral genomes were only detected in blood at the earliest sampling time point of one-hour post-injection at 10(7) PFU/kg. Post mortem analyses at day 35 allowed detection of viral DNA in the spleen of the dog which received three injections at 10(7) PFU/kg. Viral genomes were not detected in the urine, saliva or feces of any dogs. Seven days after the injections, a dose-dependent antibody mediated immune response was identified. In conclusion, intravenous administration of TG6002 shows a good safety profile, supporting the initiation of clinical trials in canine cancer patients as well as further development as a human cancer therapy.