Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 30, 2026
Paramyxoviruses for Tumor-targeted Immunomodulation: Design and Evaluation Ex Vivo
Published on: January 7, 2019
Image-guided radiovirotherapy for multiple myeloma using a recombinant measles virus expressing the thyroidal sodium
David Dingli1, Kah-Whye Peng, Mary E Harvey
1Molecular Medicine Program, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Abstract:
The Edmonston vaccine strain of measles virus (MV-Edm) propagates efficiently in a broad range of human tumor cells, killing them selectively. However, the oncolytic potency of MV-Edm in different human tumor xenograft therapy models is highly variable and there is no convenient way to map the distribution of virus-infected tissues in vivo. To enhance the oncolytic potency of MV-Edm against radiosensitive malignancies and to facilitate noninvasive imaging of infected tissues, we generated a recombinant MV-Edm encoding the human thyroidal iodide symporter (NIS). MV-NIS replicated almost as efficiently as unmodified MV-Edm, and human tumor cells efficiently concentrated radioiodine when infected with MV-NIS. Intratumoral spread of MV-NIS was noninvasively demonstrated by serial gamma-camera imaging of iodine-123 (123I) uptake both in MV-sensitive KAS-6/1 myeloma xenografts, which regressed completely after a single intravenous dose of MV-NIS, and in MM1 myeloma xenografts, which were unresponsive to MVNIS therapy. However, MV-resistant MM1 tumors regressed completely when 131I was administered 9 days after a single intravenous injection of MV-NIS (radiovirotherapy). 131I alone had no effect on MM1 tumor growth. While the potential hematopoietic toxicity of this new therapy requires further evaluation, image-guided radiovirotherapy is a promising new approach to the treatment of multiple myeloma, an incurable but highly radiosensitive plasma cell malignancy. Testing in other radiosensitive cancers is warranted.
Insights
Researchers engineered a measles virus (MV-NIS) to target tumors and track their spread using radioiodine. This novel radiovirotherapy shows promise for treating multiple myeloma and other radiosensitive cancers.
Area of Science:
- Oncolytic virotherapy
- Radiotherapy
- Molecular imaging
- Cancer treatment
Background:
- Measles virus (MV-Edm) shows selective oncolytic activity against tumor cells but has variable efficacy in vivo.
- Tracking virus distribution in tumors noninvasively remains a challenge for MV-Edm therapy.
- Enhancing MV-Edm's potency and enabling imaging are crucial for improving its therapeutic application.
Purpose of the Study:
- To enhance the oncolytic potency of MV-Edm against radiosensitive malignancies.
- To develop a method for noninvasive imaging of virus-infected tissues in vivo.
- To evaluate a novel radiovirotherapy approach for cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- A recombinant measles virus encoding the human thyroidal iodide symporter (MV-NIS) was generated.
- MV-NIS replication and radioiodine uptake in human tumor cells were assessed.
- Intratumoral spread and therapeutic efficacy of MV-NIS were evaluated in myeloma xenograft models using gamma-camera imaging of iodine-123 (123I) and iodine-131 (131I).
Main Results:
- MV-NIS replicated efficiently and enabled tumor cells to concentrate radioiodine.
- Noninvasive imaging of MV-NIS spread was achieved via 123I uptake.
- MV-NIS combined with 131I (radiovirotherapy) led to complete regression of both MV-sensitive and MV-resistant myeloma xenografts.
Conclusions:
- Image-guided radiovirotherapy using MV-NIS is a promising strategy for treating multiple myeloma.
- This approach facilitates noninvasive monitoring of virus distribution and therapeutic response.
- Further investigation into potential hematopoietic toxicity and testing in other radiosensitive cancers are warranted.
