MicroRNA-sensitive oncolytic measles viruses for cancer-specific vector tropism.

ABSTRACT: Oncolytic measles viruses (MV) derived from the live attenuated vaccine strain have been engineered for increased tumor-cell specificity, and are currently under investigation in clinical trials including a phase I study for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Recent preclinical studies have shown that the cellular tropism of several viruses can be controlled by inserting microRNA-target sequences into their genomes, thereby inhibiting spread in tissues expressing cognate microRNAs. Since neuron-specific microRNA-7 is downregulated in gliomas but highly expressed in normal brain tissue, we engineered a microRNA-sensitive virus containing target sites for microRNA-7 in the 3'-untranslated region of the viral fusion gene. In presence of microRNA-7 this modification inhibits translation of envelop

SUBMITTER: Leber MF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3129790 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature