Stability and anti-tumor effect of oncolytic herpes simplex virus type 2

Oncolytic virotherapy is a new therapeutic strategy based on the inherent cytotoxicity of viruses and their ability to replicate and spread in tumors in a selective manner. We constructed a new type of oncolytic herpes simplex virus type 2 (oHSV-2, named OH2) to treat human cancers, but a systematic evaluation of the stability and oncolytic ability of this virus is lacking. In this study, we evaluated its physical stability, gene modification stability and biological characteristics stability, including its anti-tumor activity in an animal model. The physical characteristics as well as genetic deletions and insertions in OH2 were stable, and the anti-tumor activity remained stable even after passage of the virus for more than 20 generations. In conclusion, OH2 is a virus that has stable structural and biological traits. Furthermore, OH2 is a potent oncolytic agent against tumor cells.