Specific elimination of CD133+ tumor cells with targeted oncolytic measles virus

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

Tumor-initiating cells (TIC) are critical yet evasive targets for the development of more effective antitumoral strategies. The cell surface marker CD133 is frequently used to identify TICs of various tumor entities, including hepatocellular cancer and glioblastoma. Here, we describe oncolyticmeasles viruses (MV) retargeted to CD133. The viruses, termed MV-141.7 and MV-AC133, infected and selectively lysed CD133+ tumor cells. Both viruses exerted strong antitumoral effects on human hepatocellular carcinoma growing subcutaneously or multifocally in the peritoneal cavity of nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient (NOD/SCID) mice. Notably, the CD133- targeted viruses weremore effective in prolonging survival than the parentalMV-NSe, which is currently assessed as oncolytic agent in clinical trials. Interestingly, target receptor overexpression or increased spreading kinetics through tumor cells were excluded as being causative for the enhanced oncolytic activity of CD133-targeted viruses. MV-141.7 was also effective in mouse models of orthotopic glioma tumor spheres and primary colon cancer. Our results indicate that CD133-targetedmeasles viruses selectively eliminateCD133+ cells fromtumor tissue, offering a key tool for research in tumor biology and cancer therapy.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)865-874
Number of pages10
JournalCancer research
Volume73
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - 15 Jan 2013
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 23293278

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

ASJC Scopus subject areas