# Evaluation of the Antitumor Efficacy of Human Papillomavirus Type 16 E7-Affitoxin in C57BL/6JNifdc Mice Bearing TC‑1 Tumors

## TL;DR

This study shows that a targeted therapy for HPV16-related cancers works well in mice, with minimal side effects.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates the efficacy of ZHPV16E7 affitoxin384 in immunocompetent mice, a novel step in HPV16-targeted cancer therapy.

## Key findings

- ZHPV16E7 affitoxin384 significantly inhibited TC-1 tumor growth in C57BL/6JNifdc mice.
- The therapy induced apoptosis and suppressed proliferation in HPV16 E7-positive cells.
- Acute toxicity tests showed no significant organ damage at tested doses.

## Abstract

Human papillomavirus (HPV) associated cancers pose a
significant
global health threat, with HPV 16 being the most common causative
type. Current treatments often lack specificity and cause severe side
effects. In a previous study, we developed an HPV16 E7 targeted therapeutic
agent, ZHPV16E7 affitoxin384, which effectively inhibited
tumor growth in immunodeficient nude mice bearing HPV16-positive cervical
tumors. In this study, we further evaluated the antitumor efficacy
of ZHPV16E7 affitoxin384 in immunocompetent C57BL/6JNifdc
mice bearing TC-1 tumors. ZHPV16E7 affitoxin384 had demonstrated
specific binding to HPV16 E7 in TC-1 cells, significantly inhibiting
their proliferation and promoting apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo.
In C57BL/6JNifdc mice, ZHPV16E7 affitoxin384 effectively
suppressed TC-1 tumor growth, with a therapeutic effect comparable
to that of cisplatin. Acute toxicity tests indicated dose-dependent
toxicity, but no significant organ damage or effects on liver/kidney
function or blood parameters were observed at tested doses. This study
provides robust evidence supporting ZHPV16E7 affitoxin384
as a promising targeted therapy for HPV16-induced cancers, highlighting
its potential for future clinical applications.