Oncolytic measles virus targets high CD46 expression on multiple myeloma cells

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Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Paramyxoviruses for Tumor-targeted Immunomodulation: Design and Evaluation Ex Vivo
12:42

Paramyxoviruses for Tumor-targeted Immunomodulation: Design and Evaluation Ex Vivo

Published on: January 7, 2019

Hooi Tin Ong1, Michael M Timm, Philip R Greipp

  • 1Molecular Medicine Program, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.

Experimental Hematology
|May 27, 2006
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Multiple myeloma cells overexpress CD46, making them susceptible to measles virus therapy. This study confirms CD46 as a promising target for multiple myeloma treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Virology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable B cell malignancy requiring novel therapeutics.
  • Live attenuated measles virus (MV) exhibits oncolytic activity against MM xenografts.
  • MV selectively targets cells with high CD46 receptor expression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate CD46 as a therapeutic target for MM.
  • To correlate CD46 surface levels on MM cells with MV susceptibility.
  • To assess CD46 expression on MM cells for the first time.

Main Methods:

  • Flow cytometry analyzed CD46 expression on neoplastic plasma cells (PCs) and nonplasma cells (NPCs) from 38 MM patients.
  • BD QuantiBRITE PE beads quantified CD46 receptor numbers.
  • Measles virus (MV) infection assessed cytopathic effects and cell fusion.

Main Results:

  • Malignant PCs showed significantly higher CD46 expression than NPCs (mean 49,130 vs. 7,340 receptors/cell).
  • MV induced potent cytopathic effects, including intercellular fusion, in infected PCs but not NPCs.
  • Cytopathic effects correlated with CD46 expression levels on MM cells.
  • MV was not cytotoxic to normal bone marrow progenitor cells.

Conclusions:

  • CD46 is a surface antigen overexpressed on primary MM cells compared to normal bone marrow hematopoietic cells.
  • CD46 represents a promising surface marker for targeted cytoreductive therapy in MM.
  • This study validates CD46 as a potential therapeutic target for multiple myeloma.

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