Potent systemic therapy of multiple myeloma utilizing oncolytic vesicular stomatitis virus coding for interferon-β

Cancer Gene Ther. 2012 Jul;19(7):443-50. doi: 10.1038/cgt.2012.14. Epub 2012 Apr 20.

Abstract

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable malignancy of plasma secreting B cells disseminated in the bone marrow. Successful utilization of oncolytic virotherapy for myeloma treatment requires a systemically administered virus that selectively destroys disseminated myeloma cells in an immune-competent host. Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)-expressing interferon-β (IFNβ) is a promising new oncolytic agent that exploits tumor-associated defects in innate immune signaling pathways to destroy cancer cells specifically. We demonstrate here that a single, intravenous dose of VSV coding for IFNβ (VSV-IFNβ) specifically destroys subcutaneous and disseminated 5TGM1 myeloma in an immune-competent myeloma model. VSV-IFN treatment significantly prolonged survival in mice bearing orthotopic myeloma. Viral murine IFNβ expression further delayed myeloma progression and significantly enhanced survival compared with VSV-expressing human IFNβ. Evaluation of VSV-IFNβ oncolytic activity in human myeloma cell lines and primary patient samples confirmed myeloma-specific oncolytic activity, but revealed variable susceptibility to VSV-IFNβ oncolysis. The results indicate that VSV-IFNβ is a potent, safe oncolytic agent that can be systemically administered to target and destroy disseminated myeloma effectively in immune-competent mice. IFNβ expression improves cancer specificity and enhances VSV therapeutic efficacy against disseminated myeloma. These data show VSV-IFNβ to be a promising vector for further development as a potential therapy for the treatment of MM.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Female
  • Genetic Vectors
  • Humans
  • Interferon-beta / genetics*
  • Interferon-beta / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Multiple Myeloma / genetics
  • Multiple Myeloma / metabolism
  • Multiple Myeloma / therapy*
  • Oncolytic Virotherapy
  • Oncolytic Viruses / genetics*
  • Vesicular stomatitis Indiana virus / genetics*

Substances

  • Interferon-beta