Review

Cancer Gene Therapy (2007) 14, 599–615; doi:10.1038/sj.cgt.7701054; published online 20 April 2007

Recent developments in the use of adenoviruses and immunotoxins in cancer gene therapy

Z R Yang1, H F Wang1, J Zhao1, Y Y Peng1, J Wang1, B-A Guinn2 and L Q Huang1

  1. 1Center for Biotech & BioMedicine and Division of Life Sciences, Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, China
  2. 2Department of Haematological Medicine, King's College London School of Medicine, The Rayne Institute, London, UK

Correspondence: Dr LQ Huang, Center for Biotech & BioMedicine and Division of Life Sciences, Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China. E-mail: huanglq@sz.tsinghua.edu.cn; Dr B-A Guinn, Department of Haematological Medicine, King's College London School of Medicine, The Rayne Institute, 123 Coldharbour Lane, London SE5 9NU, UK. E-mail: barbara.guinn@kcl.ac.uk

Received 31 October 2006; Revised 2 March 2007; Accepted 11 March 2007; Published online 20 April 2007.

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Abstract

Despite setbacks in the past and apparent hurdles ahead, gene therapy is advancing toward reality. The past several years have witnessed this new field of biomedicine developing rapidly both in breadth and depth, especially for the treatment of cancer, thanks largely to the better understanding of molecular and genetic basis of oncogenesis and the development of new and improved vectors and technologies for gene delivery and targeting. This article is intended to provide a brief review of recent advances in cancer gene therapy using adenoviruses, both as vectors and as oncolytic agents, and some of the recent progress in the development of immunotoxins for use in cancer gene therapy.

Keywords:

Gene therapy, adenovirus, conditionally replicative adenovirus, oncolysis, tumor-selective infection or replication, immunotoxin

Abbreviations:

AAV, adeno-associated viruses; Ad, adenovirus; AFP, alpha-fetal protein; APC, antigen presenting cell; ASO, antisense oligonucleotides; BBB, blood–brain barrier; BMP, bone morphogenetic protein; CAR, coxsackie-Ad receptor; CEA, carcinoembryonic antigen; CLL, chronic lymphocytic leukemia; CR, complete remission; CRAd, conditionally replicative Ad; DC, dendritic cell; dsFV, disulfide-stabilized Fv; DT, diphtheria toxin; EGFR, epidermal growth factor receptor; GBM, glioblastoma multiforme; GM-CSF, granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor; HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma; HCL, hairy cell leukemia; HNSCC, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; HSV-TK, herpes simplex virus-thymidine kinase; hTERT, human telomerase; IL, interleukin; LV, lentiviral; NPC, nasopharyngeal cancer; PE, pseudomonas exotoxin; pK, polylysine; PKR, protein kinase R; pRb, retinoblastoma protein; pIX, protein IX; RGD, Arg-Gly-Asp; rIT, recombinant immunotoxin; RNAi, RNA interference; scFv, single-chain fragment variable; SFDA, State Food and Drug Administration; SFV, semliki forest virus; siRNA, small interfering RNA; shRNA, short hairpin RNA; v.p.u., viral particle unit

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