title: Biosafety considerations for attenuated measles virus vectors used in virotherapy and vaccination.
abstract: Attenuated measles virus (MV) is one of the most effective and safe vaccines available, making it attractive candidate vector to prevent infectious diseases. Attenuated MV have acquired the ability to use the complement regulator CD46 as a major receptor to mediate virus entry and intercellular fusion. Therefore, attenuated MV strains preferentially infect and destroy a wide variety of cancer cells making them also attractive oncolytic vectors. The use of recombinant MV vector has to comply with various regulatory requirements, particularly relating to the assessment of potential risks for human health and the environment. The present article highlights the main characteristics of MV and recombinant MV vectors used for vaccination and virotherapy and discusses these features from a biosafety point of view.
authors.affiliation: a Scientific Institute of Public Health (WIV-ISP), Biosafety and Biotechnology Unit , Brussels , Belgium.
authors.forename: Aline
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baldo
authors.affiliation: b Division of Medical Oncology , Mayo Clinic , Rochester , MN , USA.
authors.forename: Evanthia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Galanis
authors.affiliation: c Institut Pasteur, Viral Genomics and Vaccination Unit, CNRS UMR 3569 , Paris , France.
authors.forename: Frédéric
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tangy
authors.affiliation: a Scientific Institute of Public Health (WIV-ISP), Biosafety and Biotechnology Unit , Brussels , Belgium.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Herman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003264:Containment of Biohazards / Q000379:methods; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006801:Humans; D008457:Measles / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D008458:Measles Vaccine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000235:genetics; D008459:Measles virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D051916:Membrane Cofactor Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D050130:Oncolytic Virotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D014611:Vaccination; D014613:Vaccines, Attenuated / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D053586:Virus Internalization
chemical_list: D008458:Measles Vaccine; D051916:Membrane Cofactor Protein; D014613:Vaccines, Attenuated
keywords: MV Edmonston strains; biosafety; measles virus (MV); vaccination; viral vectors; virotherapy