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Updated: Jun 12, 2026
Paramyxoviruses for Tumor-targeted Immunomodulation: Design and Evaluation Ex Vivo
Published on: January 7, 2019
Treatment of medulloblastoma with a modified measles virus
Adam W Studebaker1, Cole R Kreofsky, Christopher R Pierson
1The Center for Childhood Cancer, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Abstract:
Although treatment of medulloblastoma has improved, at least 30% of patients with this tumor die of progressive disease. Unfortunately, many of the children who survive suffer long-term treatment-related morbidity. Previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of using oncolytic viruses to eradicate brain tumors. The objective of this study was to test the efficacy of measles virus in treating medulloblastoma. To determine whether medulloblastoma cells are susceptible, 5 different human medulloblastoma cell lines were analyzed for the expression of the measles virus receptor CD46. Fluorescence-activated cell-sorting analysis confirmed expression of CD46 on all cell lines tested, with UW288-1 having the most prominent expression and D283med displaying the lowest expression. CD46 expression was also demonstrated, using immunohistochemistry, in 13 of 13 medulloblastoma tissue specimens. All 5 medulloblastoma cell lines were examined for their susceptibility to measles virus killing in vitro. A measles virus containing the green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene as a marker for infection (MV-GFP) was used. All cell lines exhibited significant killing when infected with MV-GFP, all formed syncytia with infection, all showed fluorescence, and all allowed viral replicaton after infection. In an intracerebral murine xenograft model, a statistically significant increase in survival was seen in animals treated with the active measles virus compared with those treated with inactivated virus. These data demonstrate that medulloblastoma is susceptible to measles virus killing and that the virus may have a role in treating this tumor in the clinical setting.
Insights
Measles virus effectively kills medulloblastoma cells in laboratory and animal studies. This oncolytic virus shows promise for treating medulloblastoma, a deadly brain tumor, potentially reducing treatment-related side effects.
Area of Science:
- Oncolytic virotherapy
- Pediatric neuro-oncology
- Viral oncology
Background:
- Medulloblastoma treatment remains challenging, with high mortality and significant long-term side effects in survivors.
- Oncolytic viruses are a promising strategy for brain tumor eradication.
- The efficacy of measles virus against medulloblastoma requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the susceptibility of medulloblastoma cells to measles virus infection and killing.
- To assess the therapeutic potential of measles virus in a preclinical medulloblastoma model.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of CD46 receptor expression (measles virus receptor) on human medulloblastoma cell lines and tissue specimens using flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry.
- In vitro assessment of measles virus (MV-GFP) efficacy, including cell killing, syncytia formation, and viral replication.
- Evaluation of measles virus treatment in an intracerebral murine xenograft model of medulloblastoma.
Main Results:
- All tested medulloblastoma cell lines and patient tissue specimens expressed the CD46 receptor.
- Measles virus infection resulted in significant killing, syncytia formation, and viral replication in all cell lines.
- Treatment with active measles virus significantly increased survival in a murine medulloblastoma xenograft model compared to inactivated virus.
Conclusions:
- Medulloblastoma cells are susceptible to measles virus-mediated killing.
- Measles virus demonstrates oncolytic potential against medulloblastoma in preclinical models.
- Measles virus warrants further investigation for clinical application in medulloblastoma treatment.
