Parvovirus formulation for treating tumors

Abstract

Described is a parvovirus formulation which comprises (a) at least 1×10.sup.9 pfu/ml of parvovirus H1 (H-1PV) or a related rodent parvovirus such as LuIII, Mouse minute virus (MMV), Mouse parvovirus (MPV), Rat minute virus (RMV), Rat parvovirus or Rat virus (RV) and (b) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier containing 40-50% Iodixanol (w/v), 0.7-0.9 mmol CaCl.sub.2×2 H.sub.2O, 50-60 mmol NaCl, 0.9-1.2 mmol KCl, 0.7-0.95 mg/ml Tromethamine and 0.05-0.15 mg/ml Edetate calcium disodium. A preferred use is the therapy of a brain tumour by intratumoral injection.

Claims

1. A method for treating a tumor comprising intratumoral or intravenous injection of a pharmaceutical composition comprising (a) at least 2×10.sup.9 pfu/ml of parvovirus H1 (H-1PV) or a related rodent parvovirus selected from the group consisting of LuIII, Mouse minute virus (MMV), Mouse parvovirus (MPV), Rat minute virus (RMV), Rat parvovirus and Rat virus (RV) and (b) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier containing 40-50% Iodixanol (w/v), 0.7-0.9 mmol CaCl.sub.2×2 H.sub.2O, 50-60 mmol NaCl, 0.9-1.2 mmol KCl, 0.7-0.95 mg/ml Tromethamine and 0.05-0.15 mg/ml Edetate calcium disodium, wherein the viscosity of the carrier is between 3.5 to 4.5 mPa.Math.s at 37 to 40° C.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the tumor is a brain tumor, pancreatic carcinoma, cervical carcinoma, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, breast cancer or colon cancer.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the pharmaceutical acceptable carrier contains 48% Iodixanol (w/v), 0.81 mmol CaCl.sub.2×2 H.sub.2O, 52.80 mmol NaCl, 1.06 mmol KCl, 0.88 mg/ml Tromethamine and 0.07 mg/ml Edetate calcium disodium.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the tumor is a brain tumor, pancreatic carcinoma, cervical carcinoma, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, breast cancer or colon cancer.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the parvovirus concentration is between 2×10.sup.9 pfu/ml and 1×10.sup.10 pfu/ml.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the tumor is a brain tumor, pancreatic carcinoma, cervical carcinoma, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, breast cancer or colon cancer.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein the parvovirus concentration is between 2×10.sup.9 pfu/ml and 1×10.sup.10 pfu/ml.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the tumor is a brain tumor, pancreatic carcinoma, cervical carcinoma, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, breast cancer or colon cancer.

9. A method for treating a tumor comprising intratumoral or intravenous injection of a pharmaceutical composition comprising (a) at least 2×10.sup.9 pfu/ml of parvovirus H1 (H-1PV) or a related rodent parvovirus selected from the group consisting of LuIII, Mouse minute virus (MMV), Mouse parvovirus (MPV), Rat minute virus (RMV), Rat parvovirus and Rat virus (RV) and (b) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier containing 40-50% Iodixanol (w/v), 0.7-0.9 mmol CaCl.sub.2×2 H.sub.2O, 50-60 mmol NaCl, 0.9-1.2 mmol KCl, 0.7-0.95 mg/ml Tromethamine and 0.05-0.15 mg/ml Edetate calcium disodium, wherein the viscosity of the carrier is between 4 and 5 mPa.Math.s.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the tumor is a brain tumor, pancreatic carcinoma, cervical carcinoma, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, breast cancer or colon cancer.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the pharmaceutical acceptable carrier contains 48% Iodixanol (w/v), 0.81 mmol CaCl.sub.2×2 H.sub.2O, 52.80 mmol NaCl, 1.06 mmol KCl, 0.88 mg/ml Tromethamine and 0.07 mg/ml Edetate calcium disodium.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the tumor is a brain tumor, pancreatic carcinoma, cervical carcinoma, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, breast cancer or colon cancer.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the parvovirus concentration is between 2×10.sup.9 pfu/ml and 1×10.sup.10 pfu/ml.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the tumor is a brain tumor, pancreatic carcinoma, cervical carcinoma, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, breast cancer or colon cancer.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the parvovirus concentration is between 2×10.sup.9 pfu/ml and 1×10.sup.10 pfu/ml.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the tumor is a brain tumor, pancreatic carcinoma, cervical carcinoma, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, breast cancer or colon cancer.

17. The method of claim 9, wherein the viscosity of the carrier is about 4.5 mPa.Math.s.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.

(2) The following detailed description, given by way of example, but not intended to limit the invention solely to the specific embodiments described, may best be understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

(3) FIG. 1: H-1PV in 48% VISIPAQUE™ (iodixanol)/Ringer solution demonstrates the targeted distribution of the inoculum around the tip of the catheter without signs of random diffusion.

(4) FIG. 2: H-1PV is stable for more than 24 months in 48% VISIPAQUE™ (iodixanol)/ringer formulation.

(5) FIG. 3A-3B: Electron micrographs showing insular H-1PV particles in 48% VISIPAQUE™ (iodixanol)/ringer formulation a) H-1PV charge 1, b) H-1PV charge 2.

(6) FIG. 4: Clinical Trial Design.

(7) FIG. 5: Virus Concentration in Iodixanol/Ringer solution [73.62% VISIPAQUE™ (iodixanol) 320(GE Healthcare) mixed with 26.38% Ringer solution].

(8) FIG. 6: Treatment of H-1 PV in Iodixanol/Ringer solution at elevated temperature.

(9) FIGS. 7A-7C: UV-Treatment of H-1 PV in two Iodixanol/Ringer solutions (A,B) and Tris-EDTA buffer (C).

(10) Thus, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition which may comprise (a) a parvovirus H1 (H-1PV) or a related rodent parvovirus selected from the group consisting of LuIII, Mouse minute virus (MMV), Mouse parvovirus (MPV), Rat minute virus (RMV), Rat parvovirus or Rat virus (RV) in a concentration of at least 1×10.sup.9 pfu/ml and (b) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier having a viscosity between 3 and 5 mPa.Math.s at 37 to 40° C. and containing 40-50% Iodixanol (w/v), 0.7-0.9 mmol CaCl.sub.2×2 H.sub.2O, 50-60 mmol NaCl, 0.9-1.2 mmol KCl, 0.7-0.95 mg/ml Tromethamine and 0.05-0.15 mg/ml Edetate calcium disodium.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(11) The term “parvovirus” as used herein may comprise wild-type or modified replication-competent derivatives thereof. Suitable modified parvoviruses which can be used for actively producing said parvoviruses and which are useful for therapy, are readily determinable within the skill of the art based on the disclosure herein, without undue empirical effort.

(12) According to the present invention, the parvovirus of the composition includes parvovirus H1 (H1PV) or a related parvovirus such as LuIII, Mouse minute virus (MMV), Mouse parvovirus (MPV), Rat minute virus (RMV), Rat parvovirus (RPV) or Rat virus (RV).

(13) According to the invention the parvovirus is present in an effective dose in a concentration of or higher than 1×10.sup.9 pfu/ml and combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier containing 40-50% Iodixanol (w/v), 0.7-0.9 mmol CaCl.sub.2×2 H.sub.2O, 50-60 mmol NaCl, 0.9-1.2 mmol KCl, 0.7-0.95 mg/ml Tromethamine and 0.05-0.15 mg/ml Edetate calcium disodium. In particular, the carrier contains 45-49% Iodixanol (w/v), 0.75-0.85 mmol CaCl.sub.2×2 H.sub.2O, 50-55 mmol NaCl, 0.95-1.1 mmol KCl, 0.8-0.9 mg/ml Tromethamine and 0.05-0.10 mg/ml Edetate calcium disodium. In a most preferred embodiment the carrier contains 48% Iodixanol (w/v), 0.81 mmol CaCl.sub.2×2 H.sub.2O, 52.80 mmol NaCl, 1.06 mmol KCl, 0.88 mg/ml Tromethamine and 0.07 mg/ml Edetate calcium disodium.

(14) “Pharmaceutically acceptable” is meant to encompass any carrier, which does not interfere with the effectiveness of the biological activity of the active ingredients and that is not toxic to the patient to whom it is administered. In addition, to the above defined carrier composition, the pharmaceutical formulation according to the present invention may contain additional pharmaceutical carriers. Examples of suitable additional pharmaceutical carriers are well known in the art and include mannitol, sorbitol, glucose or sucrose. Such carriers can be formulated by conventional methods.

(15) An “effective dose” refers to amounts of the active ingredients that are sufficient to affect the course and the severity of the disease, leading to the reduction or remission of such pathology. An “effective dose” useful for treating and/or preventing these diseases or disorders may be determined using methods known to one skilled in the art. In addition, to ensure storage stability of the formulation, the active ingredient, i.e. the parvovirus, should be present in a concentration of at least 1×10.sup.9 pfu/ml, particularly at least 5×10.sup.9 pfu/ml, 1×10.sup.10 pfu/ml or 1×10.sup.11 pfu/ml. In a preferred embodiment the concentration is between 1×10.sup.9 pfu/ml and 1×10.sup.10 pfu/ml, in particular 1×, 2×, 3×, 4×, 5×, 6×, 7×, 8× or 9×10.sup.9 pfu/ml. In another preferred embodiment the the concentration is between 1×10.sup.10 pfu/ml and 1×10.sup.11 pfu/ml, in particular 1×, 2×, 3×, 4×, 5×, 6×, 7×, 8× or 9×10.sup.10 pfu/ml.

(16) According to the present invention, the viscosity of the carrier is between 3.5 to 4.5 mPa.Math.s at 37 to 40° C. More preferred is a carrier wherein the viscosity of the carrier is between 4 and 5 mPa.Math.s. Even more preferred is a carrier having a viscosity of about 4.5 mPa.Math.s. This viscosity resembles the viscosity of blood (Rosenson et al., Clinical Chemistry, 42:8, pp. 1189-1195 (1996).

(17) According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the carrier is iodixanol in Ringer solution that is prepared by mixing, 73.62% VISIPAQUE™ (iodixanol) 320 (GE Healthcare) with 26.38% Ringer solution. VISIPAQUE™ (iodixanol) 320 (GE Healthcare) contains 652 mg/ml Iodixanol (=65.2% iodixanol) so that the iodixanol concentration after mixing with Ringer solution is 48%. “Iodixanol” is a synonym for “VISIPAQUE™” (for human injection use) or “Iodixanolum” (research grade). The chemical structure is EINKLEBEN.

(18) The IUPAC name is 5-[acetyl-[3-[N-acetyl-3,5-bis(2,3-dihydroxypropylcarbamoyl)2,4,6,-triiodoanilino]2-hydroxypropyl]amino]-1-N,3,N-bis(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-2,4,6-triiodobenzene-1,3-dicarboxamide. The CAS number is 92339-11-2. It is also a well known contrast agent for CT imaging.

(19) Administration may be effected by different ways, e.g. by intravenous, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intradermal or intratumoral administration. The route of administration, of course, depends on the kind of therapy and the kind of compounds contained in the pharmaceutical composition. A preferred route of administration is intratumoral or intravenous administration. The dosage regimen is readily determinable within the skill of the art, by the attending physician based on patient data, observations and other clinical factors, including for example the patient's size, body surface area, age, sex, the particular parvovirus, cell etc. to be administered, the time and route of administration, the tumor type and characteristics, general health of the patient, and other drug therapies to which the patient is being subjected.

(20) The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention is useful for the treatment of any tumor type, in particular (but not exclusively) brain tumor (e.g. glioma and glioblastoma), pancreatic carcinoma, cervical carcinoma, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, breast cancer or colon cancer.

(21) Patients treatable by the pharmaceutical composition according to the invention include humans as well as non-human animals. Examples of the latter include, without limitation, animals such as cows, sheep, pigs, horses, dogs, and cats.

(22) From the clinical data as shown in Example 1 it can be concluded that the use of VISIPAQUE™ (iodixanol) 48% allows for (i) precise visualization of the inoculum by CT, (ii) precise local delivery as a result of the higher viscosity and (iii) the absence of backflow even when manual injection and no prolonged and automated injection such as convection enhanced delivery (CED) was used. This favorable pattern of distribution is most likely due to the different physical properties of VISIPAQUE™ (iodixanol) 48% compared with watery solutions. VISIPAQUE™ (iodixanol) 48% in Ringer solution with a refraction index of 1.41 has a viscosity at 37° C. of 4 mPa.Math.s, water at 37° C. of ˜0.7 mPa.Math.s. The human blood at 37° C. has a viscosity of 3-5 mPa.Math.s. Therefore, the injection formulation is close to blood that means in a physiological value of blood.

(23) The inventors have found out that the virus concentration has an influence on the stability of the formulation (FIG. 5). To ensure a storage stability of at least 12 months the virus concentration should be at least 1×10.sup.9 pfu/ml in a 48% Iodixanol/Ringer solution that has been obtained by mixing 73.62% (w/v) VISIPAQUE™ (iodixanol) 320 (GE Healthcare) with 26.30% (w/v) Ringer solution. The obtained solution contains 48% Iodixanol (w/v), 0.81 mmol CaCl.sub.2×2 H.sub.2O, 52.80 mmol NaCl, 1.06 mmol KCl, 0.88 mg/ml Tromethamine and 0.07 mg/ml Edetate calcium disodium.

(24) In a preferred embodiment the storage stability is at least 18 months, at least 24 months, at least 30 months, at least 36 months or even up to 48 months.

(25) As can be concluded from FIGS. 6 and 7, the virus in 48% Iodixanol/Ringer solution remains active several days even after an temperature increase and an UV radiation.

(26) Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

(27) The present invention will be further illustrated in the following Examples which are given for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the invention in any way.

EXAMPLES

Example 1 VISIPAQUE™ (Iodixanol) 48% Avoids Backflow

(28) A clinical phase I/IIa trial on 18 patients suffering from recurrent malignant gliomas was initiated. This trial aims to investigate the safety, biodistribution, maximum tolerated dose and signs of anti-tumor activity of parvovirus H-1. According to preclinical data the parvovirus will not only include intratumoral virus application but also intravenous treatment.

(29) The application of parvovirus H-1 (GMP-grade preparation) in 48% VISIPAQUE™ (iodixanol) was performed in 2 groups of 12 (group I) and 6 patients (group II). The route of administration differs between group 1 and group 2 (FIG. 4).

(30) Within each group the mode of application is identical, but the dose will be increased if no dose limiting events are observed. In group I the parvovirus H-1 (also called “investigational medicinal product”; IMP) was administered in four dose levels and in group II in 2 dose levels (Table 1).

(31) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Dose schedule for both study groups Study Dose and route of Time administration Duration GROUP I Escalation Level Level 1 Total Day 1 5 × 105 pfu, intratumoral 15 minutes dose: (via catheter) 1 × 106 pfu Day 10 5 × 105 pfu, intracerebal 15-30 minutes (direct injection at multiple locations of resection wall) Level 2 Total Day 1 2.5 × 107 pfu, intratumoral 15 minutes dose: (via catheter) 5 × 107 pfu Day 10 2.5 × 107 pfu, intracerebal 15-30 minutes (direct injection at multiple locations of resection wall) Level 3 Total Day 1 5 × 108 pfu, intratumoral 15 minutes dose: (via catheter) 1 × 109 pfu Day 10 5 × 108 pfu, intracerebral 15-30 minutes (direct injection at multiple locations of resection wall) Level 4 Total Day 1 2.5 × 109 pfu, intratumoral 15 minutes dose: (via catheter) 5 × 109 pfu Day 10 2.5 × 109 pfu, intracerebal 15-30 minutes (direct injection at multiple locations of resection wall) GROUP II Escalation Level Level 2 Total Day 1-5 0.5 × 107 pfu, intravenous 2 hours dose: infusion 5 × 107 Day 10 2.5 × 107 pfu, intracerebral 15-30 minutes (direct injection at multiple locations of resection wall) Level 3 Total Day 1-5 1 × 108 pfu, intravenous 2 hours dose: infusion 1 × 109 pfu Day 10 5 × 108 pfu, intracerebral 15-30 minutes (direct injection at multiple locations of resection wall)

(32) In group 1 the patients received the IMP on day 1 via image guided injection into the tumor tissue. On this day the patient is injected with 50% of the intended overall dose. After an observation period of 9 days the tumor was resected on day 10. After tumor removal the second half of the dose was administered into the walls of the resection cavity by direct injection. With this injection during open surgery the administration of the IMP is completed and no additional virus application was performed.

(33) In group 2 the initial administration of the IMP was via the intravenous route. Subjects received 50% of the intended dose by 5 infusions on days 1 to 5, each infusion containing 10% of the total dose. After the last infusion on day 5 there is an observation period until day 9 and on day 10 tumor resection was performed as in group 1. In analogy to group 1, patients receive the second half of the dose by injection in the tissue surrounding the tumor cavity after tumor removal and no further virus injections were performed in each individual during the course of the trial.

(34) After tumor resection virus was reapplied in the walls of the tumor cavity.

(35) As shown in FIG. 1 the use of VISIPAQUE™ (iodixanol) 48% (VISIPAQUE™ 320, GE Healthcare, Germany) and Ringer solution (IDT Biologika GmbH, Germany) as carrier solution did not result in any significant backflow in all 12 patients. The CT was performed within 30 minutes after completion of injection. The volume of injection was between 0.5 ml to 1.2 ml per inserted catheter (3 patients were treated with 2 catheters). The injection was performed manually over a period of 30 min per catheter and standard catheters for cyst puncturing with one opening at the end of the catheter were used in all cases. FIG. 1 also demonstrates the targeted distribution of the inoculum around the tip of the catheter without signs of random diffusion.

(36) From this clinical data it can be concluded that the use of VISIPAQUE™ (iodixanol) 48% allows for (i) precise visualization of the inoculum by CT, (ii) precise local delivery as a result of the higher viscosity and (iii) the absence of backflow even when manual injection and no prolonged and automated injection such as convection enhanced delivery (CED) was used. This favorable pattern of distribution is most likely due to the different physical properties of VISIPAQUE™ (iodixanol) 48% compared with watery solutions. VISIPAQUE™ (iodixanol) 48% in Ringer solution with a refraction index of 1.41 has a viscosity at 37° C. of 4 mPa.Math.s, water at 37° C. of ˜0.7 mPa.Math.s. The human blood at 37° C. has a viscosity of ˜4.5 mPa.Math.s. Therefore the injection formulation is close to blood, that means in a physiological value of blood.

Example 2 Stability

(37) The H-1PV virus (stored by −20° C. or ≤−60° C. in 48% Iodixanol/Ringer solution obtained by mixing 73.62% (w/v) VISIPAQUE™ (iodixanol) 320 (GE Healthcare) with 26.30% (w/v) Ringer solution (Delta Select GmbH, Dreieich, Germany)) is stable in activity measured with plaque forming units (PFU) for more than 2 years. Plaque assays were done essentially as described by Tattersall and Bratton (J. Virol. 46 (1983), 944-55). NB-324K cells were grown in monolayer cultures in MEM medium containing 5% FBS, 100 μg/ml penicillin, 100 μg/ml streptomycin, and 2 mM L-glutamine. They were infected at 60% confluence with serial dilutions of H-1PV and incubated for 1 h at 37° C. Then the inoculum was replaced with a bacto-agar overlay (1.7% in MEM containing 5% FBS). On day four post-infection, living cells were stained for 18-24 h by addition of 0.02% toluylene red staining solution (Sigma, Germany) containing bacto-agar (Becton Dickinson, Germany). The dishes were incubated at 37° C. under 5% CO.sub.2. Plaque-forming units were counted 5 days post-infection on a light box and their concentration expressed in PFU/ml.

(38) The results are shown in FIG. 5. There it can be seen that a virus concentration less than 1×10.sup.8 pfu/ml is more instable in 48% Iodixanol/Ringer solution than a higher virus concentration of about 1×10.sup.9 or 1×10.sup.10 pfu/ml.

Example 3 Insular H-1PV Particles: The Electron Microscopy Pictures Show that the H-1PV Virus is not Aggregated in the Formulation According to the Invention

(39) For qualitative analysis of virus preparations, electron microscopy pictures were taken. For this, 5 μl virus suspension was added to a ready-to-use carbon-coated copper grid and incubated for 2 min. The grid was then washed with 5 μl bidest water and coated with 2% uranyl acetate for 30 s. The drops were absorbed from the grid with Whatman 50 filter paper and the grid was dried for approximately 1 min. Photos were taken with a Zeiss transmission electron microscope at 20,100× magnification.

Example 4 Influence of Temperature Increase to H-1PV in 48% VISIPAQUE™ (Iodixanol)/Ringer Solution

(40) Parameter: Volume: 100 μl Vial: 500 μl screw cap Temperatur: 37° C., 50° C. Incubation time: 1 h, 4 h Further storage: 4° C. Concentration H-1PV: 2.3×10.sup.10 PFU/ml:

(41) TABLE-US-00002 Time 1 Time 2 Temp. 37° C. 60 min 240 min 50° C. 60 min 240 min

(42) The results are shown in FIG. 6.

(43) FIG. 6 shows that the virus is still alive after 1-4 hours at 37° C. and 50° C. treatment. Even after 4 weeks in 4° C. the H-1 PV is stable.

Example 5 Influence of UV Radiation to H-1PV in 48% VISIPAQUE™ (Iodixanol)/Ringer Solution

(44) UV-Deactivation of H-1PV in VISIPAQUE™ (iodixanol) (48% Iodixanol)/Ringer solution and VISIPAQUE™ (iodixanol) (24% Iodixanol)/Ringer solution

(45) TABLE-US-00003 exp# 1 (UV 254 nm, 0.35 mW/cm.sup.2) PFU/ml Vg/ml PP/ml Charge 1 in before UV 1.80E+09 1.40E+12 1.00E+13 VISIPAQUE ™ (iodixanol) (48% Iod)/Ringer volume: 500 μl after UV 2.00E+09 1.30E+12 8.00E+12 Charge 2 in before UV 1.30E+08 7.30E+10 2.00E+11 VISIPAQUE ™ (iodixanol) (48% Iod)/Ringer volume: 500 μl after UV 6.40E+07 8.10E+10 2.10E+11

(46) TABLE-US-00004 exp# 2 (UV 254 nm, 0.35 mW/cm.sup.2) PFU/ml Vg/ml PP/ml Charge 1 in before UV 1.80E+09 1.40E+12 1.00E+13 VISIPAQUE ™ (iodixanol) (48% Iod)/Ringer volume: 250 μl after UV >3E7 1.40E+12 1.00E+13 Charge 2 in before UV 1.30E+08 7.30E+10 2.00E+11 VISIPAQUE ™ (iodixanol) (48% Iod)/Ringer volume: 250 μl after UV >3E7 7.30E+10 3.10E+11 Charge 3 in VTE before UV 3.00E+07 5.40E+11 4.10E+13 after UV <1E2 2.80E+10 5.60E+13

(47) TABLE-US-00005 exp# 3 (UV 254 nm, 0.35 mW/cm.sup.2) PFU/ml Vg/ml PP/ml Charge 1 in before UV 1.40E+09 9.50E+11 1.00E+13 VISIPAQUE ™ (iodixanol) (48% Iod)/Ringer volume: 100 μl after UV 2.40E+09 1.00E+12 1.10E+13 Charge 2 in before UV 5.10E+07 5.00E+10 2.00E+11 VISIPAQUE ™ (iodixanol) (48% Iod)/Ringer volume: 100 μl after UV 5.80E+07 5.00E+10 2.00E+11

(48) TABLE-US-00006 exp# 4 (UV 254 nm, 2.4 mW/cm.sup.2) PFU/ml Vg/ml PP/ml Charge 1 in before UV 1.70E+09 1.40E+12 9.80E+12 VISIPAQUE ™ (iodixanol) (48% Iod)/Ringer volume: 100 μl after UV 1.80E+09 1.70E+12 7.70E+12 Charge 2 in before UV 4.60E+09 6.80E+11 1.00E+13 VISIPAQUE ™ (iodixanol) (24% Iod)/Ringer volume: 100 μl after UV 1.20E+09 4.10E+11 3.50E+11

(49) The results are shown in FIG. 7. The H-1 PV virus in VISIPAQUE™ (iodixanol) (48% Iodixanol)/Ringer solution is protected against UV treatment through the formulation. The stability of the virus in VISIPAQUE™ (iodixanol) (24% Iodixanol)/Ringer solution shows a half log decrease after UV treatment. In an aqueous formulation (Tris-EDTA buffer=VTE) the virus could be deactivated.

(50) The invention is further described by the following numbered paragraphs:

(51) 1. A pharmaceutical composition comprising (a) at least 2×10.sup.9 pfu/ml of parvovirus H1 (H-1PV) or a related rodent parvovirus selected from the group consisting of LuIII, Mouse minute virus (MMV), Mouse parvovirus (MPV), Rat minute virus (RMV), Rat parvovirus or Rat virus (RV) and (b) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier containing 40-50% Iodixanol (w/v), 0.7-0.9 mmol CaCl.sub.2×2 H.sub.2O, 50-60 mmol NaCl, 0.9-1.2 mmol KCl, 0.7-0.95 mg/ml Tromethamine and 0.05-0.15 mg/ml Edetate calcium disodium.

(52) 2. The pharmaceutical composition of paragraph 1, wherein the pharmaceutical acceptable carrier contains 48% Iodixanol (w/v), 0.81 mmol CaCl.sub.2×2 H.sub.2O, 52.80 mmol NaCl, 1.06 mmol KCl, 0.88 mg/ml Tromethamine and 0.07 mg/ml Edetate calcium disodium.

(53) 3. The pharmaceutical composition of paragraph 1 or 2, wherein the parvovirus concentration is between 2×10.sup.9 pfu/ml and 1×10.sup.10 pfu/ml.

(54) 4. The pharmaceutical composition of any one of paragraphs 1 to 3 for use in treating a tumor by intratumoral or intravenous injection.

(55) 5. The pharmaceutical composition of any one of paragraphs 1 to 3 for the use according to claim 4, wherein the tumor is a brain tumor, pancreatic carcinoma, cervical carcinoma, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, breast cancer or colon cancer.

(56) Having thus described in detail preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is to be understood that the invention defined by the above paragraphs is not to be limited to particular details set forth in the above description as many apparent variations thereof are possible without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.