Application Highlight: Evaluating the Potency of Oncolytic Adenoviruses for Cancer Cells Destruction
In this example, xCELLigence RTCA was used to monitor killing of A549 lung cancer cells by a chimeric adenovirus (Enadenotucirev, EnAd) which infects cells by binding to CD46 and/or desmoglein, both widely expressed on many carcinoma cells. In a potency analysis, the cytotoxicity (i.e. killing kinetics) of EnAd at a range of concentrations was compared with wild-type adenoviruses Ad11p and Ad5. At the highest concentration (red, 500 PPC (particles per cells)), EnAd and Ad11p caused complete cell killing (Cell Index decreasing to zero) between 36-48 hours post-infection. However, at lower virus concentrations (0.8-20 PPC) EnAd is substantially more potent than Ad11p, displaying both an earlier onset of cytotoxicity and a more rapid completion of cytolysis. When compared with EnAd and Ad11p, wildtype Ad5 is much less efficient at killing the cancer cells, requiring 5 days to achieve full cell killing even at the highest virus concentration.
This data highlights the ability of xCELLigence RTCA assays to quantitatively capture differences in the potency of different oncolytic viruses.
