Live attenuated Edmonstron strain measles virus [MV] shows promising anti-tumor activity against several human cancers. There are currently three Phase I clinical trials underway to assess safety, with applications in ovarian cancer, glioma and multiple myeloma. However most patients have been immunized against the MV and have anti-viral antibodies that can inactivate the virus, limiting systemic MV virotherapy for metastatic diseases. We know that MV trafficks in white cells and uses them as vehicles for dissemination in the human host during the natural infection. Thus, we propose to use cells as vehicles to carry the virus to the tumor site, protecting the virus while it infects the tumor cells to induce cell death. The ability of the cell carriers to support robust virus amplification is an added bonus. In the end, we hope to have a feasible and effective clinical protocol based on our findings to treat relapsed multiple myeloma.


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