Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection of tumor cells may occur during natural viral infections of tumor patients and following the use of HSV-1-based vectors as oncolytic virotherapy agents. Three-dimensional (3D) tumor cell cultures provide a useful in vitro experimental platform to study many aspects of tumor growth and cancer therapy. During the past several years we have established a number of experimental platforms that involve inoculation of 3D melanoma cultures with HSV-1. In this presentation we will review observations made with the use of these 3D experimental platforms and demonstrate that certain melanoma cell subpopulations have increased resistance against HSV-1 infection and that HSV-1 infection may promote the growth of some melanoma cells. These findings are highly relevant to the use of HSV-1 vectors for oncolytic therapy and for a better understanding of the potential role of natural HSV-1 infections in modulating the pathogenesis of neoplasms.

Biography:
Klara Valyi-Nagy, MD is Research Associate Professor in the Department of Pathology and Associate Director of the UI Biorepository at the University of Illinois at Chicago.