ONCOLYTIC VIRUSES AS PHENOTYPING AGENTS FOR NEOPLASMS

摘要

The present invention provides a method of diagnosing neoplasms having aparticular phenotype by using oncolytic viruses that selectively replicate inneoplasms having the particular phenotype. For example, reovirus does notreplicate in normal cells. However, reovirus selectively replicate in cellswith an activated ras pathway, which leads to death of these cells. Therefore,a cell which becomes neoplastic due to, at least in part, elevated ras pathwayactivities can be diagnosed by its susceptibility to reovirus replication.This invention can further be applied, using other oncolytic viruses, to thediagnosis and/or treatment of other tumors, such as interferon-sensitivetumors, p53-deficient tumors and Rb-deficient tumors. Kits useful in thediagnosis or treatment disclosed herein are also provided.