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Measles Virus as an Oncolytic Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13030544. [PMID: 33535479 PMCID: PMC7867054 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13030544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Measles virus (MeV) preferentially replicates in malignant cells, leading to tumor lysis and priming of antitumor immunity. Live attenuated MeV vaccine strains are therefore under investigation as cancer therapeutics. The versatile MeV reverse genetics systems allows for engineering of advanced targeted, armed, and shielded oncolytic viral vectors. Therapeutic efficacy can further be enhanced by combination treatments. An emerging focus in this regard is combination immunotherapy, especially with immune checkpoint blockade. Despite challenges arising from antiviral immunity, availability of preclinical models, and GMP production, early clinical trials have demonstrated safety of oncolytic MeV and yielded promising efficacy data. Future clinical trials with engineered viruses, rational combination regimens, and comprehensive translational research programs will realize the potential of oncolytic immunotherapy.
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Leber MF, Neault S, Jirovec E, Barkley R, Said A, Bell JC, Ungerechts G. Engineering and combining oncolytic measles virus for cancer therapy. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2020; 56:39-48. [PMID: 32718830 PMCID: PMC7333629 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2020.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy using tumor-selective, oncolytic viruses is an emerging therapeutic option for solid and hematologic malignancies. A considerable variety of viruses ranging from small picornaviruses to large poxviruses are currently being investigated as potential candidates. In the early days of virotherapy, non-engineered wild-type or vaccine-strain viruses were employed. However, these viruses often did not fully satisfy the major criteria of safety and efficacy. Since the advent of reverse genetics systems for manipulating various classes of viruses, the field has shifted to developing genetically engineered viruses with an improved therapeutic index. In this review, we will summarize the concepts and strategies of multi-level genetic engineering of oncolytic measles virus, a prime candidate for cancer immunovirotherapy. Furthermore, we will provide a brief overview of measles virus-based multimodal combination therapies for improved tumor control and clinical efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias F Leber
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg University Hospital, Department of Medical Oncology, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Cancer Therapeutics Program, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L6, Canada.
| | - Serge Neault
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Cancer Therapeutics Program, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Elise Jirovec
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Cancer Therapeutics Program, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Russell Barkley
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Cancer Therapeutics Program, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Aida Said
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, 401 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L1, Canada; University of Ottawa, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - John C Bell
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Cancer Therapeutics Program, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Guy Ungerechts
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg University Hospital, Department of Medical Oncology, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Cancer Therapeutics Program, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L6, Canada
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Mühlebach MD. Measles virus in cancer therapy. Curr Opin Virol 2020; 41:85-97. [PMID: 32861945 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2020.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Over the last years, the development of viruses to treat cancer patients has re-gained considerable attention. A genetically modified herpesvirus, Talimogene laherparepvec, has already been authorized for the treatment of melanoma patients. Also recombinant measles virus (MeV) is developed as an oncolytic virus. Because of its high genetic flexibility, a number of different MeV strains have been the basis for the generation of targeted, armed, or shielded viruses that are highly specific for a given tumor target, more effective, or protected against serum neutralization. Such MeV have been extensively tested in vitro and in vivo, whereby remarkable oncolytic potency is accompanied by safety also in non-human primates. Therefore, MeV has been introduced into 19 different clinical trials and has reached phase II against two different tumor entities, multiple myeloma and ovarian carcinoma. Remarkably, one patient with advanced stage myeloma experienced long-term remission after treatment, visualizing the potency of this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Mühlebach
- Division of Veterinary Medicine, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Paul-Ehrlich-Strasse 51-59, D-63225 Langen, Germany.
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Jayawardena N, Poirier JT, Burga LN, Bostina M. Virus-Receptor Interactions and Virus Neutralization: Insights for Oncolytic Virus Development. Oncolytic Virother 2020; 9:1-15. [PMID: 32185149 PMCID: PMC7064293 DOI: 10.2147/ov.s186337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are replication competent agents that selectively target cancer cells. After penetrating the tumor cell, viruses replicate and eventually trigger cell lysis, releasing the new viral progeny, which at their turn will attack and kill neighbouring cells. The ability of OVs to self-amplify within the tumor while sparing normal cells can provide several advantages including the capacity to encode and locally produce therapeutic protein payloads, and to prime the host immune system. OVs targeting of cancer cells is mediated by host factors that are differentially expressed between normal tissue and tumors, including viral receptors and internalization factors. In this review article, we will discuss the evolution of oncolytic viruses that have reached the stage of clinical trials, their mechanisms of oncolysis, cellular receptors, strategies for targeting cancers, viral neutralization and developments to bypass virus neutralization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadishka Jayawardena
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - John T Poirier
- Department of Medicine and Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Laura N Burga
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Mihnea Bostina
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Otago Micro and Nano Imaging, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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