Measles virus causes immunogenic cell death in human melanoma

Gene Ther. 2013 Jan;20(1):7-15. doi: 10.1038/gt.2011.205. Epub 2011 Dec 15.

Abstract

Oncolytic viruses (OV) are promising treatments for cancer, with several currently undergoing testing in randomised clinical trials. Measles virus (MV) has not yet been tested in models of human melanoma. This study demonstrates the efficacy of MV against human melanoma. It is increasingly recognised that an essential component of therapy with OV is the recruitment of host antitumour immune responses, both innate and adaptive. MV-mediated melanoma cell death is an inflammatory process, causing the release of inflammatory cytokines including type-1 interferons and the potent danger signal HMGB1. Here, using human in vitro models, we demonstrate that MV enhances innate antitumour activity, and that MV-mediated melanoma cell death is capable of stimulating a melanoma-specific adaptive immune response.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Death / immunology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • HMGB1 Protein / genetics
  • HMGB1 Protein / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Interferon Type I / genetics
  • Interferon Type I / metabolism
  • Measles virus / immunology*
  • Measles virus / pathogenicity
  • Melanoma / immunology*
  • Melanoma / pathology
  • Melanoma / virology
  • Oncolytic Viruses / immunology*
  • Oncolytic Viruses / pathogenicity
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • HMGB1 Protein
  • Interferon Type I