UCSF measles vaccine to fight Medulloblastoma, Dr. Sabine Mueller.
Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor that occurs in children. While the tumor is found in the part of the brain called the cerebellum, tumor cells o8en spread into the fluid space around the brain and spinal cord. Tumors that have spread into the fluid are more difficult to cure. About 40% of children with medulloblastoma die from their tumor. Of the survivors, most suffer debilitating consequences from the treatment for the tumor. Thus, new methods for treatment of this tumor are clearly needed. We have been using an attenuated, modified measles virus as a potenDal therapy for medulloblastoma. Because medulloblastoma tumors cells express the receptor for the virus at high levels, we are able to kill tumor cells with the virus while sparing normal tissue. We have shown that measles virus can cure animals with human medulloblastoma implants in the brain. In addition, we have shown that measles virus can cure animals with human medulloblastoma cells that have spread throughout the fluid space around the brain and spinal cord. Further, prior safety studies in monkeys have shown that this specific virus is safe to be given into the brain. Ongoing adult studies for a variety of cancer continue to demonstrate a great safety profile of this oncolytic virus therapy. The planned pediatric trial will assess the safety and efficacy of measles virus in treating recurrent medulloblastoma. Children who have failed iniDal therapy will be given measles virus into the recurrent tumor in the brain and/or into the fluid space around the brain and spinal cord, depending on the locaDon of the recurrent tumor. The virus is also modified with a specific transporter that allows assessment of virus distribution through imaging. PVSRIPO is a genetically engineered poliovirus that we are using as an ‘oncolytic virus’ targeting the most malignant and deadly form of brain tumor, glioblastoma (GBM).