An increasing attitude towards oncolytic viruses (OVs) is
witnessed following T-VECs approval. In this study, we aimed to delete
ICP47 and insert IL-12 in the ICP34.5 deleted HSV-1 backbone to improve
the oncolytic properties and provide an immune-stimulatory effect
respectively. The wild-type and recombinant viruses infected both
cancerous, SW480 and HCT116, and non-cancerous, HUVEC, cell lines.
Green-red Δ47/Δ34.5 was constructed by replacing ICP47 with GFP. Both
ICP34.5 copies were replaced by hIL12. Cytotoxicity and growth kinetics
of Δ47/Δ34.5/IL12 and Δ47/Δ34.5 were comparable to the wild virus in the
cancerous cells. Δ47/Δ34.5/IL12 was able to produce IL12 in the
infected cell lines. INF-γ production and PBMC proliferation were
observed in the PBMCs treated with the lysate of Δ47/Δ34.5/IL12 infected
cells. These results demonstrated that Δ47/Δ34.5/IL12 was competent in
taking advantage of the cytotoxic effect of HSV-1 plus
immune-stimulatory characteristics of IL-12.