Two HSV-1 mutants for treatment of liver tumors are currently undergoing preclinical toxicology testing for data required to file an IND application with the FDA in anticipation of clinical trials in patients with liver tumors in 2003. The most suitable model for these toxicologies studies in non-human primates is Aotus monkeys (owl monkeys). These are New World monkeys from Ecuador and are exquisitely sensitive to herpetic infection and encephalitis. The animals are housed in Harvard's New England Regional Primate Research Center. Studies of toxicity, gene expression, and viral biodistribution using two different HSV vectors are currently being conducted.

Preclinical Toxicology in Non-Human Primates of Herpes Simplex Viral Vectors for Liver Tumor Therapy
Principal Investigator: Kenneth K. Tanabe, MD
Co-Investigator: E. Antonio Chiocca, MD, PhD