Cytomegalovirus infection of brain tumors and CMV immunotherapy

Abstract

Objective. The article presents the literature of the last ten years and the results of our own research on the importance of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in the development of brain tumors, especially glioblastoma and medulloblastoma. Two alternative views are discussed - the pros and cons of the role of the virus in the induction and stimulation of tumor growth.Materials and methods. 256 samples of biotic material of tissues of various brain tumors were studied. Among them are histologically diagnosed: in 123 cases glial tumors of various grade of malignancy, in 51 cases meningiomas, in 25 cases medulloblastomas, in 16 cases oligodendroastrocytomas of the second grade of malignancy, in 14 cases metastatic tumors. Tumor fragments were obtained from biopsy material 1.5-2.0 hours after surgical removal. To detect the presence of CMV in the tumor tissue real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using "DNA sorb A and B" kits was performed, the company "Amplisens" (Russia), according to the manufacturer’s instructions and BioRal device (USA) with standard DNA detection kits of CMV "DNA Technology" (Russia). Cytological imprints on slides were also made from tumor tissue fragments, which were examined by indirect immunofluorescence method with monoclonal antibodies to CMV pP-65 protein using the "MonoScan CMV" kit.Results. The frequency of detection of CMV antigen or its DNA in brain tissue depends on the research method - the immunofluorescence method detects pP-65 antigen by monoclonal antibodies 2-2.5 times more often than the PCR method of CMV in tumor tissue. In the tissue of different histogenesis of brain tumors both the pP-65 antigen and CMV DNA are detected with different frequencies. CMV was most often detected in tumors of glial origin and medulloblastomas. No CMV DNA was detected in the peripheral blood of patients with brain tumors at the time of admission for examination and surgical treatment, indicating an earlier contamination of the tumor focus with this virus. Data on the mechanisms of CMV induction and stimulation of tumor growth by activating cell proliferation, including nerve stem cells, are presented. Works using specific antiviral therapy and CMV specific cell immunotherapy in the treatment of gliomas have been analyzed in detail.Conclusions. The paper concludes on the important clinical and prognostic value of determining CMV infection in brain tumors and indicates the need for CMV viral and cellular immunotherapy in the combined treatment of malignant brain tumors.