PHARMACEUTICAL COMBINATION PRODUCT COMPRISING A PROTOPARVOVIRUS AND AN ANTIVIRAL BENZIMIDAZOLE AND USES THEREOF FOR TREATING CANCER

Abstract

The present invention relates to pharmaceutical products and in particular to pharmaceutical combination products. The invention further relates to uses of such products in medical treatment. Embodiments of the invention have been particularly developed as pharmaceutical combination products of a protoparvovirus and an antiviral benzimidazole derivative or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug of the benzimidazole derivative for use in the treatment of cancer and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.

Claims

1. A pharmaceutical combination product comprising: (a) a protoparvovirus, wherein said protoparvovirus is H-1 (H-1PV) or a related rodent protoparvovirus selected from LuIII, Mouse minute virus (MMV), Mouse protoparvovirus (MPV), Rat minute virus (RMV), Rat protoparvovirus (RPV) or Rat virus (RV); and (b) an antiviral benzimidazole derivative of Formula I: ##STR00010## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, wherein, in the antiviral benzimidazole derivative of Formula I: M is a 5-membered heteroaryl ring; and A and A are each independently selected from any one of (A1) to (A17): ##STR00011## ##STR00012## wherein R is hydrogen or methyl. ##STR00013##

2. The pharmaceutical combination product according to claim 1, wherein ##STR00014## ##STR00015##

3. The pharmaceutical combination product according to claim 1, wherein the antiviral benzimidazole derivative of Formula I is the antiviral benzimidazole derivative of Formula Ia: ##STR00016## methyl N-[(2S)-1-[(6S)-6-[5-[9,9-difluoro-7-[2-[(1R,3S,4S)-2-[(2S)-2-(methoxycarbonylamino)-3-methylbutanoyl]-2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-3-yl]-3H-benzimidazol-5-yl]fluoren-2-yl]-1H-imidazol-2-yl]-5-azaspiro[2.4]heptan-5-yl]-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl]carbamate, or a pharmaceutically salt or prodrug thereof.

4. The pharmaceutical combination product according to claim 1, wherein the protoparvovirus is H-1PV.

5. The pharmaceutical combination product according to claim 1, comprising (a) the protoparvovirus and (b) the antiviral benzimidazole derivative as separate entities.

6. The pharmaceutical combination product according to claim 1, comprising (a) the protoparvovirus and (b) the antiviral benzimidazole derivative in a single composition.

7. A method of treating a patient, comprising administering the pharmaceutical combination product according to claim 1 to a patient.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the patient has cancer.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein said cancer comprises solid tumours or cancer-initiating precursor cells.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein said cancer is brain cancer, pancreatic cancer, renal cancer, lung cancer or ovarian cancer.

11. The method according to claim 7, wherein said method increases a cancer's susceptibility to protoparvovirus oncotoxicity compared to said cancer's susceptibility to an equivalent dose of protoparvovirus alone.

12. The method according to claim 7, wherein said method is for treatment treating of a cancer resistant or refractory to protoparvovirus oncotoxicity.

13. The method according to claim 7, wherein said administering step comprises: intratumoural or systemic or intranasal administration of (a) the protoparvovirus; and intratumoural or systemic or oral administration of (b) the antiviral benzimidazole derivative.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein said administering step comprises: intratumoural administration of (a) the protoparvovirus; and oral administration of (b) the antiviral benzimidazole derivative

15. The method according to claim 7 wherein said administering step comprises administering (a) the protoparvovirus and (b) the antiviral benzimidazole derivative to said patient simultaneously or sequentially.

Description

FIGURES

[0034] Embodiments of the invention are described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0035] FIG. 1 in accordance with the aspects of the invention and as described in more detail in Example 1 below, shows the process workflow of the experiments performed in Example 1.

[0036] FIG. 2 in accordance with the aspects of the invention and as described in more detail in Example 1 below, shows that an FDA-approved antiviral benzimidazole derivative of Formula Ia (ledipasvir; LDV) enhances H-1 PV oncolytic activity in Glioma derived SNB-19 and U-373 cell lines.

[0037] FIG. 3. in accordance with the aspects of the invention and as described in more detail in Example 2 below, shows the morphological effects seen in three different cell lines exposed to combination treatment with H-1 PV and LDV.

[0038] FIG. 4. in accordance with the aspects of the invention and as described in more detail in Example 3 below, shows that low doses of LDV potentiate H-1 PV oncotoxicity.

[0039] FIG. 5. in accordance with the aspects of the invention and as described in more detail in Example 4 below, shows that LDV enhances H-1PV oncotoxicity.

[0040] FIG. 6. in accordance with the aspects of the invention and as described in more detail in Example 5 below, shows that LDV synergizes with H-1 PV in killing cells of the glioma-derived cell line U-373.

[0041] FIG. 7. in accordance with the aspects of the invention and as described in more detail in Example 6 below, shows that LDV synergizes with H-1 PV in killing cancer cell lines from different solid tumours.

[0042] FIG. 8. in accordance with the aspects of the invention and as described in more detail in Example 7 below, shows that exposure to combination treatment with H-1PV and LDV affects cell viability at the greater extension than single-agent treatment.

[0043] FIG. 9. shows the chemical formula of (A) an antiviral benzimidazole derivative of Formula Ia and (B) of an acetone solvate thereof of Formula Ib, namely of LDV and LDV acetone, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0044] In order to provide a clear and consistent understanding of the specification and claims, and the scope to be given such terms, the following definitions are provided.

Definitions

[0045] The term pharmaceutical combination product in the context of this disclosure includes a product in which a single composition comprises both active ingredients (a) a protoparvovirus and (b) an antiviral benzimidazole derivative. However, the term also includes a product, such as a kit, in which the two active ingredients (a) protoparvovirus and (b) antiviral benzimidazole derivative are provided in separate compositions, possibly even for simultaneous or sequential administration via the same or a different route of administration. For example, a pharmaceutical combination product in the context of the present disclosure may comprise a formulation of (a) the protoparvovirus adapted for intratumoural administration (such as a liquid for intratumoural injection), and a formulation of (b) the antiviral benzimidazole derivative adapted for oral administration (such as a tablet).

[0046] An antiviral benzimidazole derivative in accordance with the present disclosure may be converted into a pharmaceutically acceptable salt by methods well known in the art. In the context of the present invention, the term a pharmaceutically acceptable salt includes acid addition salts, formed with inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, hydro bromic acid, sulphuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, and the like; or formed with organic acids such as glycolic acid, pyruvic acid, lactic acid, malonic acid, malic acid, inaleic acid, fumaric acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, 3-(4-hydroxybenzoyl)benzoic acid, cinnamic acid, mandelic acid, methane sulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, 1,2-ethane-disulfonic acid, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, 4-chiorobenzenesulfonic acid, 2-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 4-toluenesulfonic acid, camphorsulfonic acid, lauryl sulphuric acid, gluconic acid, glutamic acid, salicylic acid, muconic acid, and the like. The term pharmaceutically acceptable salt further includes basic addition salts formed with the conjugate bases of any one of the above-listed inorganic acids, wherein the conjugate bases comprise a cationic component selected from Na.sup.+, K.sup.+, Mg.sup.2+, Ca.sup.2+, and NHgR.sub.4-g.sup.+; in which R is a C.sub.1-3 alkyl and g is a number selected from among 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4. It should be understood that all references to a pharmaceutically acceptable salt also include solvent addition forms (solvates) or crystal forms (polymorphs) of the respective acid addition salt.

[0047] The term prodrug in the context of this disclosure refers to a compound that, upon administration to a patient, is capable of providing (directly or indirectly) one of the antiviral benzimidazole derivatives described herein or an active metabolite or residue thereof. Prodrugs can increase the bioavailability of the compounds of the presently disclosed subject matter when such compounds are administered to a subject (e.g., by allowing an orally administered compound to be more readily absorbed into the blood) or can enhance the delivery of the compound to a particular biological compartment (e.g., cell, tissue, biological system).

[0048] In the context of the present disclosure, the term medical treatment of a patient includes any medical treatment of a human or a non-human mammalian patient such as, without limitation, horses, cattle, dogs and cats. Expressly, the term includes treatment of liquid or solid tumours as well as of disseminated metastases and treatment targeting cancer-initiating precursor cells. The term liquid tumours here expressly includes haematological cancers such as lymphomas and leukaemias, in particular Burkitt-lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. The term solid tumours here expressly includes: solid tumours of brain cancers (e.g. glioblastoma), pancreatic cancers (e.g. pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma), renal cancers (e.g. renal cell carcinoma), lung cancers (e.g. small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)), breast cancers (e.g. adenocarcinomas of the breast), cervical cancers (e.g. squamous cell carcinomas of the cervix), colorectal cancers (e.g. adenocarcinomas of the colon), skin cancers (e.g. melanoma); bone cancers (e.g. osteosarcoma) and ovarian cancers (e.g. epithelial ovarian carcinomas).

[0049] In the context of the present disclosure, the term protoparvovirus oncotoxicity includes oncolytic as well as oncosuppressive activities of protoparvovirus. These activities aretypically but without limitationconsequences of protoparvovirus oncotropism, i.e. through the virus' selectivity for or preferential infection of cancer cells (oncoselectivity), which leads to effective virus distribution in the tumour bed (even after intranasal of systemic virus entry), while sparing normal cells or healthy tissues. H-1 PV's intrinsic oncotropism and oncoselectivity are complex phenomena based on multiple molecular determinants, which are underrepresented in normal cells, but characteristic of tumour cells, e.g. less stringent control of DNA replication, the dysregulation of signalling pathways and the impaired innate antiviral immune response in cancer cells. Protoparvovirus oncotoxicity in the context of this application also includes indirect effects such as immunogenic responses against the cancer cells triggered by protoparvovirus (including oncolytic effects on cells of a targeted tumour, which are not infected by the virus), presumably mediated through the protoparvovirus' ability to reshape the tumour micro environment.

[0050] In addition to the above definitions, and unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words comprise, comprising, and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of including, but not limited to.

[0051] Further, reference throughout this specification to one embodiment, some embodiments or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases in one embodiment, in some embodiments or in an embodiment in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

[0052] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives first, second, third, etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

[0053] As used herein, the term exemplary is used in the sense of providing examples, as opposed to indicating quality. That is, an exemplary embodiment is an embodiment provided as an example, as opposed to necessarily being an embodiment of exemplary quality.

Embodiments of the Invention

[0054] As indicated above, the present invention is based on the inventors' surprising finding that certain benzimidazole derivatives of Formula I, anti-viral agents, enhances the oncotoxic effects of a protoparvovirus.

[0055] As such, the invention relates to a pharmaceutical combination product comprising: [0056] (a) a protoparvovirus, wherein said protoparvovirus is H-1 (H-1 PV) or a related rodent protoparvovirus selected from LuIII, Mouse minute virus (MMV), Mouse protoparvovirus (MPV), Rat minute virus (RMV), Rat protoparvovirus (RPV) or Rat virus (RV); and [0057] (b) an antiviral benzimidazole derivative of Formula I (as described above under the heading SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION with respect to the first aspect) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof.

[0058] In particular embodiments of this first aspect, the antiviral benzimidazole derivative of Formula I is the antiviral benzimidazole derivative of Formula Ia:

##STR00008## [0059] methyl N-[(2S)-1-[(6S)-6-[5-[9,9-difluoro-7-[2-[(1R,3S,4s)-2-[(2S)-2-(methoxycarbonylamino)-3-methylbutanoyl]-2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-3-yl]-3H-benzimidazol-5-yl]fluoren-2-yl]-1H-imidazol-2-yl]-5-azaspiro[2.4]heptan-5-yl]-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl]carbamate, [0060] or a pharmaceutically salt or prodrug thereof, and/or the protoparvovirus is H-1PV.

[0061] For example, in a particular embodiments of this first aspect, the antiviral benzimidazole derivative of Formula I is the 1:1 acetone solvate of Formula Ib:

##STR00009## [0062] methyl N-[(2S)-1-[(6S)-6-[5-[9,9-difluoro-7-[2-[(1R,3S,4s)-2-[(2S)-2-(methoxycarbonylamino)-3-methylbutanoyl]-2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-3-yl]-3H-benzimidazol-5-yl]fluoren-2-yl]-1H-imidazol-2-yl]-5-azaspiro[2.4]heptan-5-yl]-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl]carbamate; propan-2-one (1:1).

[0063] H-1PV is a rat protoparvovirus presently under clinical evaluation (19). A phase I/IIa clinical study in glioblastoma patients demonstrated that H-1 PV treatment is safe, well tolerated and associated with first surrogate signs of anti-cancer efficacy. These are: (i) its ability to cross the blood/tumour brain barrier after systemic administration, (ii) its good distribution in the tumour with evidence of virus replication, (iii) the induction of tumour necrosis, (iv) the immune conversion of the tumour microenvironment, and (v) the improved overall survival in comparison to historical controls (12). However, H-1PV monotherapy, as seen for other OVs, was unable to eradicate the tumours. After an initial phase in which H-1PV treatment led to tumour growth arrest and in some cases tumour regression, the tumour restarted to grow, indicating that some tumour cells escaped the treatment. As seen for many other anti-cancer agents, H-1 PV resistant cancer cells may emerge, especially in the context of highly heterogeneous tumours.

[0064] H-1 PV is a single-stranded DNA virus with an icosahedral capsid. Its genome contains the P4 and P38 promoters which controls the expression of NS and VP gene units, respectively. NS encodes for the non-structural proteins NS1 and NS2 while VP the capsid proteins VP1 and VP2 and the non-structural SAT protein12. In addition, to be non-pathogenic to humans, H-1PV is endowed with natural oncotoxicity, i.e. with oncolytic and oncosuppressive properties against a broad range of different tumours (19,21). However, as seen in the clinical studies, also at the preclinical level it was observed that not all cancer cell lines respond equally to H-1 PV oncotoxicity, wherein some cell line cultures were found to be less sensitive or even refractory to virus infection. H-1 PV has been successfully combined with other anti-cancer agents such as radiotherapy, gemcitabine, HDAC inhibitors, BH3 mimetics, bevacizumab, immune checkpoint blockade, obtaining in some cases synergistic anti-cancer effects (18). However, these agents are used in cancer treatment themselves, thus, cancer resistance to these agents may have already developed such that, at the time when these agents are combined with the virus, the efficacy of co-treatment is reduced.

[0065] Thus, the present invention, namely the combination of a protoparvovirus with an anti-viral agent that enhances protoparvovirus oncotoxicity not a known anti-cancer agent, addresses this important problem in the field.

[0066] Ledipasvir (LDV; FIG. 8) is a benzimidazole derivative of Formula Ia useful in the context of the present invention, but which is generally known for its clinical use in the treatment of chronic Hepatitis C, which is caused by the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) (22). LDV is an antiviral drug, which inhibits the hyperphosphorylation of the HCV non-structural protein 5A (NS5A) thereby impairing viral RNA replication, assembly and release. LDV is orally administrated in combination with sofosbuvir under the tradename of Harvoni (Gilead Sciences). Sofosbuvir mimics the natural cellular uridine nucleotide and is incorporated by NS5A into the elongating RNA primer strand, resulting in viral chain termination (22). It is recommended as a first-line treatment against HCV genotypes 1a, 1b, 4, 5, and 6. Depending on the level of liver damage or cirrhosis, Harvoni is also used in combination with the guanosine analogue ribavirin, another antiviral agent that interferes with the synthesis of viral mRNA (23). After 12 weeks of treatment, Harvoni achieves a sustained therapeutic response in 93-99% of patients with minimal side effects (mostly limited to headache and fatigue) (24). To date, besides its role in blocking HCV (the leading cause of hepatocellular carcinoma), no direct anti-cancer activity alone or in combination with other agents have been reported for LDV.

[0067] Here, it is describedfor the first timethat low doses of an antiviral benzimidazole derivative or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts or prodrugs as described above, potentiate H-1 PV oncotoxicity in a synergistic manner.

[0068] As such, a novel, alternative use of the anti-viral benzimidazole derivative of Formula Ia, LDV, as a booster of H-1PV oncotoxicity is provided. Notably, LDV enhances the H-1PV oncolytic activity also in cancer cell lines particularly resistant to monotherapy with H-1 PV.

[0069] Importantly, the pharmaceutical combination product of the present invention may comprise (a) the protoparvovirus and (b) the antiviral benzimidazole derivative as separate entities. As such, the combination product may be a kit, preferably for use in medical treatment such as cancer treatment, comprising a protoparvovirus composition and a separate antiviral benzimidazole derivative composition for simultaneous or sequential administration.

[0070] In this regard, it is noteworthy that the two separate entities of a pharmaceutical combination product of the invention (i.e. such as a kit) may be formulated for the same or for distinct routes of administration. For example, the protoparvovirus composition may be formulated for intratumoural or systemic or intranasal administration, while the antiviral benzimidazole derivative composition may be formulated for intratumoural or systemic or oral administration. In preferred embodiments, (a) the protoparvovirus is formulated for intratumoural administration and (b) the antiviral benzimidazole derivative is formulated for oral administration.

[0071] In alternative embodiments, the pharmaceutical combination product of the present invention may comprise (a) the protoparvovirus and (b) the antiviral benzimidazole derivative in a single composition. For example, both (a) and (b) may be formulated for intratumoural or systemic administration.

[0072] As explained above, the pharmaceutical combination product of the present invention is particularly suitable for use in medical treatment, especially for use in cancer treatment, of a patient. The cancer treatment in this context (and as expressly defined above) includes the treatment of solid tumours and/or the targeting of cancer-initiating precursor cells or small disseminated metastasis. In particular embodiments of the invention, the solid tumours are tumours caused by brain cancer, pancreatic cancer, renal cancer, lung cancer or ovarian cancer.

[0073] As explained above, the pharmaceutical combination of the present invention increases a cancer's susceptibility to protoparvovirus oncotoxicity compared to said cancer's susceptibility to an equivalent dose of protoparvovirus alone. Given that, at the doses used, LDV does not show any oncotoxicity or anti-cancer effect itself, it synergises with the protoparvovirus to enhance the oncotoxicity of the virus.

[0074] In some of these embodiments, the pharmaceutical combination product for use according to the invention allows for the treatment of a cancer typically resistant or refractory to protoparvovirus oncotoxicity.

Examples

[0075] The invention is further described by the following non-limiting Examples.

[0076] Methods and Materials

[0077] Cell Lines and Culture Media

[0078] The human glioblastoma derived cell lines U-373 and U-251 were provided by Dr. Iris Augustin (DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany). Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) derived cell lines AsPC-1, Panc-1 and BxPC-3 were purchased from American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) and provided by LGC standards GmbH, Wesel, Germany. The lung cancer derived A-549 and HOP-62, prostate carcinoma derived PC3 and DU-145, glioma derived SNB-19, breast cancer derived T47D, Ovarian cancer derived OVCAR-8 and clear cell renal carcinoma derived Caki-I were obtained from the National Cancer Institute (NCI, Bethesda, MD, USA). U-373, U-251 and Panc-1 cell lines were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM, Sigma-Aldrich, St. Luis, MO, USA). All other human cancer cell lines were grown in Roswell Park Memorial Institute medium 1640 (RPMI, Sigma-Aldrich, St. Luis, MO, USA). All media were supplemented with 10% heat inactivated fetal bovine serum (FBS, Sigma), 2 mM L-Glutamine (Gibco, Thermo Scientific, Waltham, USA). DMEM medium was also supplemented with 100 U/ml penicillin and 100 g/ml streptomycin. All cells were grown at 37 C. in 5% CO.sub.2, 95% humidity and routinely checked for mycoplasma contamination.

[0079] FDA Approved Drug Library Screening

[0080] Identification of the benzimidazole derivatives useful in the present invention was achieved through screening of panels of FDA-approved drugs (SelleckChem library: http://www.selleckchem.com/screening/fda-approved-drug-library.html; Selleck Chemicals LLC, Houston, TX, USA). The screening was performed with the Agilent BioCel automated workstation housed in an Ermaflux L2 biosafety cabinet (equipped with charcoal filters to trap gases). The glioma cell lines SNB-19 and U-373 were used for the screening. Cells were seeded with the BRAVO pipettor in 384 well cell culture microplate at 15% confluence in medium supplemented with 10% FBS and penicillin/streptomycin. After overnight incubation half of the plates was infected with wild-type H-1 PV at MOI of 1 plaque forming unit (pfu)/cell, the other half kept untreated. All cells were then treated with 5 concentrations of each of the 1,443 compounds (5-point dose curve incorporating a 4-fold dilution step in duplicates, range 4-0.156 M). After 72 h, mock and infected cells were then incubated with PrestoBlue cell viability reagent for 1 hour (resazurin-based; Thermofisher Scientific, Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France). PrestoBlue is a cell viability indicator by using the reducing power of living cells to quantitatively measure the proliferation of cells. The PrestoBlue reagent contains a cell-permeant compound that is blue in colour and virtually non-fluorescent. When added to cells, the PrestoBlue reagent is modified by the reducing environment of the viable cell and becomes highly fluorescent. Conversion is proportional to the number of metabolically active cells and therefore can be measured quantitatively. Quantitation of fluorescent signal intensity of the cell culture supernatant was carried out using the HTS-ready Berthold MITHRAS LB 940 fluorescent plate reader at excitation and emission wavelengths of 569/586 nm (reduced resazurin form resorufin). All screening plates were subjected to stringent quality control measures using Z-factor score analysis using the GraphPad Prism software and available R-packages.

[0081] LDH Assay

[0082] In an lactate dehydrogenase assay (LDH assay) LDH released from a cell, e.g. due to cell lysis, oxidizes lactate to generate NADH, which then in turn reacts with a colorimetric substrate to generate a quantifiable colour change, which is directly correlated to the amount of LDH released and can, as such, used as a measure of cell lysis.

[0083] Cancer cell lines were seeded at a density of 3,000 (U-251, BxPC-3, Panc-1, DU-145, A-549, HOP-62 and Caki-1) or 4,000 (SNB-19, AsPC-1, PC3 and U-373) cells/well in 96-well plates in 50 l of their respective culture medium supplemented with 10% heat inactivated FBS. After 24 h, 50 l of FBS-free medium with or without H-1PV and/or Ledipasvir (LDV; Selleck Chemicals LLC, Houston, TX, USA) was added. Cells were incubated for 3-5 days and then subjected to lactase dehydrogenase LDH assay (CytoTox 96 non-radioactive cytotoxicity assay, Promega Madison, WI, USA), according to the manufacturer's instructions. For each condition tested, six replicates were prepared of which three were used for calculating the total lysis in the presence of detergent as previously described (25).

[0084] MTT Assay

[0085] For the analysis of cell viability, the metabolic activity of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-dependent cellular oxidoreductase enzymes was assessed by MTT assays, as previously described (26). These enzymes catalyses the reduction of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) to a soluble coloured formazan dye. The absorbance of the formazan dye was measured at 595 nm by using an ELISA plate reader. Cells were plated in 96 well plates at the density of 3,000 cells/well in 50 l of their respective culture medium supplemented with 10% heat inactivated FBS. After 24 h, 50 l of FBS-free medium with or without H-1PV and/or LDV was added. The viability of infected cells was expressed as the ratio of the corresponding absorbance to that of non-infected cells taken arbitrarily as 100%. The mean percentage of MTT activity was calculated from at least three replicates for each condition tested.

[0086] Virus Production, Purification and Titration

[0087] Wild type H1-PV was produced and purified as previously described (27). Virus titration was carried out by quantitative real-time PCR and plaque assay according to the methods described in (26). Viral DNA was extracted using Qiamp MiniElute Virus Spin Kit (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany) according to the manufacturer's instruction manual.

[0088] Real-Time Detection of Cell Viability and Proliferation

[0089] Human cancer cells were seeded into a 96-well E-plate (ACEA Biosciences, San Diego, CA, USA) at a density of 4000 cells/well. After 24 h, cells were infected or not with H-1PV and grown in the presence or absence of LDV. Growth of mock treated cells and virus infected cells was monitored in real-time every 30 min, for 6 days using the xCELLIgence System (ACEA). Cell proliferation was expressed as normalized cell index (CI), a parameter directly proportional to the number of attached cells per well and, therefore, strictly correlated with cell proliferation and viability. The growth curves represent the averages of the results of at least three replicates

Example 1: FDA-Approved-Drugs Screening Reveals the Anti-Viral Benzimidazole Derivative of Formula Ia, LDV, as a Booster of H-1PV Oncotoxicity

[0090] In order to improve H-1PV clinical outcome, it is essential to identify anti-cancer agents that can enhance its oncotoxicity. To this end, the FDA-approved drug library (SelleckChem library: http://www.selleckchem.com/screening/fda-approved-drug-library.html) was screened. The library includes 1,443 compounds belonging to different functional classes, e.g. anti-cancer drugs, COX2 inhibitors, anti-inflammatories, anti-diabetics, anti-arthritics, anti-coagulants, etc., selected in order to maximize chemical and pharmaceutical diversity. Being FDA approved and already in use in the clinic, these compounds have known and well characterized bioactivities and have undergone extensive safety and bioavailability testing. The drugs were tested alone or in combination with H-1PV in SNB-19 and U-373 glioma cells. As a positive control for the screening ABT-737a BH3 mimetic that inhibits pro-survival Bcl-2 family members (often overexpressed in cancer cells)was used. ABT-737 was previously shown to enhance H-1PV oncotoxicity in a synergistic manner both in vitro (using different cancer cell lines of different origins) and in vivo (xenograft rat model of human pancreatic carcinoma) (28).

[0091] In agreement with these results, ABT-737 synergized with H-1PV in killing SNB-19 and U-373 glioma cells in the drug screening (data not shown). Among top candidates, positive results were also obtained with three other drugs (ABT-199, ABT-263 and LDV). Of note, ABT-199 and ABT-263, are also BH3 mimetics belonging to the same family of ABT-737. These results provide further evidence that BH3 mimetics synergize with H-1PV in killing cancer cells and also provide confidence on the validity of the screening procedure. In conclusion, and as shown in FIG. 1, the drug screening for the first time showed that addition of LDV enhances the oncolytic activity of H-1PV (FIG. 1). As the drug is used as an inhibitor of HCV, our results identify a novel and alternative use of LDV as an anti-cancer agent in combination with oncolytic H-1PV.

[0092] Specifically, FIG. 1 shows the experimental set up chosen to reveal that LDV acts as a booster of H-1PV oncotoxicity. In this set-up, Glioma-derived SNB-19 and U-373 cells were plated in 384-well plates and were then treated (or not) with the FDA approved drugs in combination (or not) with H-1 PV used at a MOI of 1 (pfu/cell) for 72 h. The cells were then processed for PrestoBlue cell viability assay as described in the materials and methods section.

[0093] FIG. 2 then illustrates selected results from the drug screen. The drug candidates achieving the highest synergistic effect with H-1 PV, were the two BH3 mimetics ABT-199 and ABT-263, and the anti-viral benzimidazole derivative of Formula Ia, LDV. An example of a FDA-approved-drug that did not interact with H-1 PV (Hydroquinone) is also shown. The columns of the graphs of FIG. 2 represent the fold increase in cytotoxicity calculated using the PrestoBlue values compared to the cytotoxicity seen for cells infected only with H-1PV (DMSO control) and normalized to the cytotoxicity seen for the various drugs at the concentrations indicated in non-infected cells (not shown). As such, the experimental results for the drugs tested, i.e. for ABT-199, ABT-263 and LDV in combination with H-1PV infection, indicate the fold increase in H-1PV cytotoxicity achieved through the respective combinations.

Example 2: Optical Microscopy Analysis Confirms that Low Doses of LDV Enhance the Anti-Cancer Activity of H-1PV

[0094] Two glioblastoma cell lines (SNB-19 and U-373) and a pancreatic cell line (AsPC-1) displaying different susceptibility to H-1 PV infection were treated (or not) with increasing amounts of H-1PV (MOI, pfu/cell) in the presence or absence of 4 M LDV. At 4 days post-treatment, at the concentration used, LDV did not induce any evident cytotoxic effects and cells were growing similarly to untreated cells. On the contrary, evident signs of cytopathic effects and morphological changes were observed in all three H-1PV treated cancer cell lines resulting in a lower density of cells attached to the culture plates. Cytopathic effects were more marked in H-1PV/LDV co-treated cancer cell lines, showing that low doses of the drug potentiate H-1PV oncotoxicity (FIG. 2).

[0095] Specifically, FIG. 3 shows the morphological effects seen in three different cell lines exposed to combination treatment with H-1PV and LDV. The cancer cell lines indicated in FIG. 3 were plated at the same density. After 24 h, cells were infected (or not) with H-1 PV used at the MOI (pfu/cell) of 1 (SNB-19), or 100 (U-373 and AsPC-1) in combination (or not) with 4 M LDV. Light microscopy images were acquired using the IncuCyte ZOOM live cell imaging system (Essen BioScience, MI USA) at 96 h after treatment. The Figure shows representative images of the cells taken at a magnification of 10.

Example 3: Realtime Monitoring of Cell Proliferation Confirmed that Low Doses of LDV Potentiate H-1PV Oncotoxicity

[0096] The xCELLIgence system allows the monitoring in real time of cell proliferation and viability. This system was used to confirm the anti-cancer effect of H-1PV/LDV co-treatment. Three cancer cell lines were used for these experiments, namely glioma cell lines SNB-19 and SNB-19, and pancreatic carcinoma cell line AsPC-1. Cells were treated (or not) with H-1PV in the presence or absence of LDV. Cell proliferation was monitored every 30 min for a total of 150 hours. In agreement with previous observation (FIG. 3), addition of LDVat the concentrations useddid not affect cell proliferation (FIGS. 4 A and G). H-1PV had a different effect on the growth and viability of the two cancer cell lines. SNB-19 cells were killed by H-1PV in a dose-dependent manner (as noted by a decrease in cell index over the time) (FIG. 4B). U-373 cells were killed only when H-1PV was used at high concentrations of 25 or 50 but were resistant when the virus was used at lower doses (e.g. MOI 10) (FIG. 4E). AsPC-1 cells were resistant to H-1PV even when the virus was used at high concentrations (up to a MOI of 100 pfu/cell) and cells were growing like mock treated cells (FIG. 4H). Addition of LDV to the culture medium, enhanced the ability of H-1PV to stop the growth of all three cancer cell lines tested and affect their viability (FIGS. 4C, F and I). Notably, the addition of low doses of the drug (1 and 4 M), made AsPC-1 cells sensitive to H-1PV oncolytic activity (FIG. 4F).

[0097] Specifically, FIG. 4 shows that low doses of LDV potentiate H-1 PV oncotoxicity. Cancer cells were seeded in a 96-well E-plate. After 24 h, cells were treated (or not) with the indicated amount of LDV (M) and/or H-1PV (MOIs, pfu/cell). Cell proliferation was monitored in real-time using the xCELLIgence system. The values in FIG. 4 are expressed as normalized cell index and plotted against time. Each experimental condition was tested at least in triplicates and average values are illustrated.

Example 4: Low Doses of LDV Enhance the Oncolytic Activity of H-1PV

[0098] To further confirm the results shown in Examples 1-3, the oncolytic activity of H-1PV/LDV combination, was analysed by LDH assays. Human SNB-19 (glioma), AsPC-1 (pancreatic carcinoma), and PC3 (prostate cancer) cell lines were infected (or not) with H-1 PV in the absence or presence of increasing concentrations of LDV. At the concentrations used, LDV alone did not induce cell lysis and H-1PV triggered cell lysis only in a small fraction of the cells. Cell lysis was much stronger in H-1PV/LDV co-treated cells, providing evidence of synergistic oncolytic activity between the two agents (FIG. 5).

[0099] Specifically, FIG. 4 shows that LDV enhances H-1 PV oncotoxicity. Cancer cells lines derived from glioma (SNB-19, panel A) pancreatic (AsPC-1, panel B) and prostate cancer (PC3, panel C), were grown for 24 h before to be treated as indicated for 120 (SNB19) or 96 (AsPC1 and PC3) h. Cells were then processed for LDH assay to assess treatment-induced cell lysis. Columns show average cell lysis values with standard deviation bars. For each condition tested, at least three independent experiments were performed in triplicate. Anova was used for statistical analysis of the results. **** indicates a p-value of <0.001.

Example 5: LDV Potentiates the Oncolytic Activity of H-1PV

[0100] U-373 glioma cells treated (or not) with 4 M LDV were infected (or not) with increasing viral MOIs (pfu/cell) and treatment-induced cell lysis was assessed by LDH assay. Under our experimental conditions, LDV did not induce cell lysis (FIG. 6). H-1 PV induced cell lysis in a dose-dependent manner killing almost 50% of the cells when used at the highest MOI tested of 100 pfu/cell. A strong increase of cell lysis (two-three folds) was observed when the cells were treated with H-1PV in combination with LDV with all viral MOIs tested. Total cell lysis was achieved when the virus was used with LDV at MOI of 100 confirming that the two agents cooperate in killing cancer cells (FIG. 6).

[0101] Specifically, FIG. 6 shows that LDV synergizes with H-1 PV in killing cells of the glioma-derived cell line U-373. U373 glioma cells, were grown for 24 h before being treated for 96 h as indicated. Cells were then processed for LDH assay to measure treatment-induced cell lysis. The columns of the graphs of FIG. 6 show average cell lysis values with standard deviation bars. For each condition tested, at least three independent experiments were performed in triplicate and Anova was used for statistical analysis of the results. ** indicates a p-value of <0.01; **** indicates a p-value of <0.001.

Example 6: LDV Boosts the Oncolytic Activity of H-1PV Against Cancer Cell Lines Derived from Different Solid Tumours

[0102] H-1 PV can target and kill a broad spectrum of cancer cell lines from different tumour entities. The positive results shown in Examples 1 to 5, led to further analysis of whether the enhancement effect of LDV on H-1 PV oncolysis can generally be obtained in other cancer cell lines displaying different susceptibility to H-1PV killing activity. To this end the H-1PV/LDV combination was further tested in additional seven cancer cell lines from different tumour entities, namely glioma (U-251), pancreatic carcinoma (BxPC-3 and Panc-1) prostate (Du-145), lung (A-549 and Hop-62) and clear cell renal carcinoma (Caki-1). Cells were treated (or not) with H-1 PV, LDV or the two agents in combination. Treatment-induced cell lysis was analysed by LDH assay. In agreement with the results shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, treatment with LDV did not induced cell lysis. H-1PV at the MOIs used was also not efficient in its oncolytic activity and higher MOIs would have been required to induce stronger oncolytic activity (data not shown). However, H-1PV mediated oncolysis was enhanced by the addition of LDV in all cancer cell lines tested. Together, these results provide further evidence that H-1PV/LDV co-treatment kills cancer cells in a synergistic manner.

[0103] Specifically, FIG. 7 shows that LDV synergizes with H-1 PV in killing cancer cell lines from different solid tumours. Cancer cells lines derived from glioma (U-251, panel A), pancreatic carcinoma (BxPC-3 and Panc-1, panel B), prostate cancer (DU-145, panel C), lung cancer (A-549 and HOP-62, panel D) or clear cell renal carcinoma (Caki-1, panel E), were grown for 24 h before to be treated (or not) with the indicated amounts of LDV and/or H-1PV at the indicated MOI (pfu/cell). After 96 h, cells were then processed for LDH assay to measure treatment-induced cell lysis. Columns show average values with standard deviation bars. Results from a typical experiment performed at least in triplicate are shown.

Example 7: H-1PV/LDV Co-Treatment Affects the Viability of Human Cancer Cell Lines

[0104] In order to further confirm the results shown in Examples 1-6, with an independent method, cell viability was evaluated using MTT assays. U-251 (glioma), BxPC-3 and Panc-1 (pancreatic carcinoma), A-549 and HOP-62 (lung carcinoma), Caki-1 (kidney clear cell carcinoma) and OVCAR-8 (ovary adenocarcinoma) were infected (or not) with H-1PV in the presence or absence of LDV. At 72-96 hour post-treatment, cells were subjected to MTT assays. In agreement with previous results, also MTT assays confirmed decreased viability in H-1PV/LDV co-treated cells in comparison with singly treated cells (FIG. 8 and data not shown).

[0105] Specifically, FIG. 8 shows that exposure to combination treatment with H-1 PV and LDV affects cell viability at the greater extension than single-agent treatment. Glioma (U-251), pancreatic carcinoma (BxPC-3 and Panc-1), lung carcinoma (A-549 and HOP-62), kidney clear cell carcinoma (Caki-1) and ovary adenocarcinoma (OVCAR-8) cells were plated at a density of 4000 cells/well in a 96 well plate. After 24 h, cells were infected (or not) with H-1 PV at the indicated MOIs (PFU/cells) in the presence or absence of the indicated amounts of LDV. At 96 h post-treatment, cells were processed for MTT assay to determine cell viability. The columns of the graphs of FIG. 8 represent average values calculated from at least three replicates with relative standard deviation bars. Results from a typical experiment are shown.

[0106] Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will come to mind to the one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

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