The Role of Adenovirus in Cancer Therapy

A special issue of Cancers (ISSN 2072-6694).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2020) | Viewed by 62582

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
1. Division of Basic and Translational Research, Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
2. Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
Interests: oncoytic virus; adenovirus; GI cancers; Pancreatic cancer; genetherapy; virotherapy

Special Issue Information

Dear colleagues,

Adenovirus has been employed for cancer gene therapy for years by taking advantage of its high in vivo transduction efficiency. While the early applications using replication-deficient adenovirus vectors to express transgenes did not meet the initial expectations, the exploitation of the latest technologies and their combination with other therapies has achieved a much better effect in vivo as well as in human clinical trials. Most of the novel approaches are the result of the effort to overcome the obstacles of the adenovirus vector system. In this Special Issue, we aim to review recent advances in adenovirus vector technologies, such as oncolytic adenovirus as well as combination with other therapies toward clinical application.

Prof. Dr. Masato Yamamoto
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • oncolytic virus
  • adenovirus
  • gene therapy
  • virotherapy

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Published Papers (14 papers)

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Editorial

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3 pages, 175 KiB  
Editorial
The Role of Adenovirus in Cancer Therapy
by Mizuho Sato-Dahlman, Brett Lee Roach and Masato Yamamoto
Cancers 2020, 12(11), 3121; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers12113121 - 26 Oct 2020
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1874
Abstract
This series of 13 articles (7 original articles, 6 reviews) is presented by international leaders in adenovirus-based cancer therapy [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Adenovirus in Cancer Therapy)

Research

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18 pages, 2228 KiB  
Article
Spectrum-Wide Exploration of Human Adenoviruses for Breast Cancer Therapy
by Nicolas Mach, Jian Gao, Lukas Schaffarczyk, Sebastian Janz, Eric Ehrke-Schulz, Thomas Dittmar, Anja Ehrhardt and Wenli Zhang
Cancers 2020, 12(6), 1403; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers12061403 - 29 May 2020
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3052
Abstract
Oncolytic adenoviruses (Ads) are promising tools for cancer therapeutics. However, most Ad-based therapies utilize Ad type 5 (Ad5), which displays unsatisfying efficiency in clinical trials, partly due to the low expression levels of its primary coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor (CAR) on tumor cells. [...] Read more.
Oncolytic adenoviruses (Ads) are promising tools for cancer therapeutics. However, most Ad-based therapies utilize Ad type 5 (Ad5), which displays unsatisfying efficiency in clinical trials, partly due to the low expression levels of its primary coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor (CAR) on tumor cells. Since the efficacy of virotherapy strongly relies on efficient transduction of targeted tumor cells, initial screening of a broad range of viral agents to identify the most effective vehicles is essential. Using a novel Ad library consisting of numerous human Ads representing known Ad species, we evaluated the transduction efficiencies in four breast cancer (BC) cell lines. For each cell line over 20 Ad types were screened in a high-throughput manner based on reporter assays. Ad types featuring high transduction efficiencies were further investigated with respect to the percentage of transgene-positive cells and efficiencies of cellular entry in individual cell lines. Additionally, oncolytic assay was performed to test tumor cell lysis efficacy of selected Ad types. We found that all analyzed BC cell lines show low expression levels of CAR, while alternative receptors such as CD46, DSG-2, and integrins were also detected. We identified Ad3, Ad35, Ad37, and Ad52 as potential candidates for BC virotherapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Adenovirus in Cancer Therapy)
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19 pages, 3341 KiB  
Article
Advantages of Using Paclitaxel in Combination with Oncolytic Adenovirus Utilizing RNA Destabilization Mechanism
by Elora Hossain, Umma Habiba, Aya Yanagawa-Matsuda, Arefin Alam, Ishraque Ahmed, Mohammad Towfik Alam, Motoaki Yasuda and Fumihiro Higashino
Cancers 2020, 12(5), 1210; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers12051210 - 12 May 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3470
Abstract
Oncolytic virotherapy is a novel approach to cancer therapy. Ad-fosARE is a conditionally replicative adenovirus engineered by inserting AU-rich elements (ARE) in the 3’-untranslated region of the E1A gene. In this study, we examined the oncolytic activity of Ad-fosARE [...] Read more.
Oncolytic virotherapy is a novel approach to cancer therapy. Ad-fosARE is a conditionally replicative adenovirus engineered by inserting AU-rich elements (ARE) in the 3’-untranslated region of the E1A gene. In this study, we examined the oncolytic activity of Ad-fosARE and used it in a synergistic combination with the chemotherapeutic agent paclitaxel (PTX) for treating cancer cells. The expression of E1A was high in cancer cells due to stabilized E1A-ARE mRNA. As a result, the efficiency of its replication and cytolytic activity in cancer cells was higher than in normal cells. PTX treatment increased the cytoplasmic HuR relocalization in cancer cells, enhanced viral replication through elevated E1A expression, and upregulated CAR (Coxsackie-adenovirus receptor) required for viral uptake. Furthermore, PTX altered the instability of microtubules by acetylation and detyrosination, which is essential for viral internalization and trafficking to the nucleus. These results indicate that PTX can provide multiple advantages to the efficacy of Ad-fosARE both in vitro and in vivo, and provides a basis for designing novel clinical trials. Thus, this virus has a lot of benefits that are not found in other oncolytic viruses. The virus also has the potential for treating PXT-resistant cancers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Adenovirus in Cancer Therapy)
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13 pages, 1994 KiB  
Article
Conditionally Replicative Adenovirus Controlled by the Stabilization System of AU-Rich Elements Containing mRNA
by Yohei Mikawa, Mohammad Towfik Alam, Elora Hossain, Aya Yanagawa-Matsuda, Tetsuya Kitamura, Motoaki Yasuda, Umma Habiba, Ishraque Ahmed, Yoshimasa Kitagawa, Masanobu Shindoh and Fumihiro Higashino
Cancers 2020, 12(5), 1205; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers12051205 - 11 May 2020
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 7786
Abstract
AU-rich elements (AREs) are RNA elements that enhance the rapid decay of mRNAs, including those of genes required for cell growth and proliferation. HuR, a member of the embryonic lethal abnormal vision (ELAV) family of RNA-binding proteins, is involved in the stabilization of [...] Read more.
AU-rich elements (AREs) are RNA elements that enhance the rapid decay of mRNAs, including those of genes required for cell growth and proliferation. HuR, a member of the embryonic lethal abnormal vision (ELAV) family of RNA-binding proteins, is involved in the stabilization of ARE-mRNA. The level of HuR in the cytoplasm is up-regulated in most cancer cells, resulting in the stabilization of ARE-mRNA. We developed the adenoviruses AdARET and AdAREF, which include the ARE of TNF-α and c-fos genes in the 3′-untranslated regions of the E1A gene, respectively. The expression of the E1A protein was higher in cancer cells than in normal cells, and virus production and cytolytic activities were also higher in many types of cancer cells. The inhibition of ARE-mRNA stabilization resulted in a reduction in viral replication, demonstrating that the stabilization system was required for production of the virus. The growth of human tumors that formed in nude mice was inhibited by an intratumoral injection of AdARET and AdAREF. These results indicate that these viruses have potential as oncolytic adenoviruses in the vast majority of cancers in which ARE-mRNA is stabilized. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Adenovirus in Cancer Therapy)
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17 pages, 5084 KiB  
Article
Genetic and Immune Changes Associated with Disease Progression under the Pressure of Oncolytic Therapy in A Neuroblastoma Outlier Patient
by Lidia Franco-Luzón, Sandra García-Mulero, Rebeca Sanz-Pamplona, Gustavo Melen, David Ruano, Álvaro Lassaletta, Luís Madero, África González-Murillo and Manuel Ramírez
Cancers 2020, 12(5), 1104; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers12051104 - 28 Apr 2020
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3753
Abstract
Little is known about the effect of oncolytic adenovirotherapy on pediatric tumors. Here we present the clinical case of a refractory neuroblastoma that responded positively to Celyvir (ICOVIR-5 oncolytic adenovirus delivered by autologous mesenchymal stem cells) for several months. We analyzed samples during [...] Read more.
Little is known about the effect of oncolytic adenovirotherapy on pediatric tumors. Here we present the clinical case of a refractory neuroblastoma that responded positively to Celyvir (ICOVIR-5 oncolytic adenovirus delivered by autologous mesenchymal stem cells) for several months. We analyzed samples during tumor evolution in order to identify molecular and mutational features that could explain the interactions between treatment and tumor and how the balance between both of them evolved. We identified a higher adaptive immune infiltration during stabilized disease compared to progression, and also a higher mutational rate and T-cell receptor (TCR) diversity during disease progression. Our results indicate an initial active role of the immune system controlling tumor growth during Celyvir therapy. The tumor eventually escaped from the control exerted by virotherapy through acquisition of resistance by the tumor microenvironment that exhausted the initial T cell response. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Adenovirus in Cancer Therapy)
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24 pages, 84170 KiB  
Article
Attenuation of the Hypoxia Inducible Factor Pathway after Oncolytic Adenovirus Infection Coincides with Decreased Vessel Perfusion
by Iris Yousaf, Jakob Kaeppler, Sally Frost, Len W. Seymour and Egon J. Jacobus
Cancers 2020, 12(4), 851; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers12040851 - 1 Apr 2020
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4351
Abstract
The interplay between oncolytic virus infection and tumour hypoxia is particularly unexplored in vivo, although hypoxia is present in virtually all solid carcinomas. In this study, oncolytic adenovirus infection foci were found within pimonidazole-reactive, oxygen-poor areas in a colorectal xenograft tumour, where the [...] Read more.
The interplay between oncolytic virus infection and tumour hypoxia is particularly unexplored in vivo, although hypoxia is present in virtually all solid carcinomas. In this study, oncolytic adenovirus infection foci were found within pimonidazole-reactive, oxygen-poor areas in a colorectal xenograft tumour, where the expression of VEGF, a target gene of the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), was attenuated. We hypothesised that adenovirus infection interferes with the HIF-signalling axis in the hypoxic tumour niche, possibly modifying the local vascular supply. In vitro, enadenotucirev (EnAd), adenovirus 11p and adenovirus 5 decreased the protein expression of HIF-1α only during the late phase of the viral life cycle by transcriptional down-regulation and not post-translational regulation. The decreasing HIF levels resulted in the down-regulation of angiogenic factors such as VEGF, coinciding with reduced endothelial tube formation but also increased T-cell activation in conditioned media transfer experiments. Using intravital microscopy, a decreased perfused vessel volume was observed in infected tumour nodules upon systemic delivery of EnAd, encoding the oxygen-independent fluorescent reporter UnaG to a tumour xenograft grown under an abdominal window chamber. We conclude that the attenuation of the HIF pathway upon adenoviral infection may contribute to anti-vascular and immunostimulatory effects in the periphery of established infection foci in vivo. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Adenovirus in Cancer Therapy)
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14 pages, 4792 KiB  
Article
Cisplatin Relocalizes RNA Binding Protein HuR and Enhances the Oncolytic Activity of E4orf6 Deleted Adenovirus
by Umma Habiba, Elora Hossain, Aya Yanagawa-Matsuda, Abu Faem Mohammad Almas Chowdhury, Masumi Tsuda, Asad-uz- Zaman, Shinya Tanaka and Fumihiro Higashino
Cancers 2020, 12(4), 809; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers12040809 - 27 Mar 2020
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3633
Abstract
The combination of adenoviruses and chemotherapy agents is a novel approach for human cancer therapeutics. A meticulous analysis between adenovirus and chemotherapeutic agents can help to design an effective anticancer therapy. Human antigen R (HuR) is an RNA binding protein that binds to [...] Read more.
The combination of adenoviruses and chemotherapy agents is a novel approach for human cancer therapeutics. A meticulous analysis between adenovirus and chemotherapeutic agents can help to design an effective anticancer therapy. Human antigen R (HuR) is an RNA binding protein that binds to the AU-rich element (ARE) of specific mRNA and is involved in the export and stabilization of ARE-mRNA. Our recent report unveiled that the E4orf6 gene deleted oncolytic adenovirus (dl355) replicated for certain types of cancers where ARE-mRNA is stabilized. This study aimed to investigate whether a combined treatment of dl355 and Cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (CDDP) can have a synergistic cell-killing effect on cancer cells. We confirmed the effect of CDDP in nucleocytoplasmic HuR shuttling. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed the enhancement of cancer cell death by apoptosis induction and a significant reduction in tumor growth following combination treatment. These results suggested that combination therapy exerted a synergistic antitumor activity by upregulation of CDDP induced cytoplasmic HuR, which led to ARE mRNA stabilization and increased virus proliferation. Besides, the enhanced cell-killing effect was due to the activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Therefore, the combined treatment of CDDP and dl355 could represent a rational approach for cancer therapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Adenovirus in Cancer Therapy)
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22 pages, 2239 KiB  
Article
External Beam Radiation Therapy and Enadenotucirev: Inhibition of the DDR and Mechanisms of Radiation-Mediated Virus Increase
by Tzveta D. Pokrovska, Egon J. Jacobus, Rathi Puliyadi, Remko Prevo, Sally Frost, Arthur Dyer, Richard Baugh, Gonzalo Rodriguez-Berriguete, Kerry Fisher, Giovanna Granata, Katharine Herbert, William K. Taverner, Brian R. Champion, Geoff S. Higgins, Len W. Seymour and Janet Lei-Rossmann
Cancers 2020, 12(4), 798; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers12040798 - 26 Mar 2020
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4617
Abstract
Ionising radiation causes cell death through the induction of DNA damage, particularly double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) breaks. Evidence suggests that adenoviruses inhibit proteins involved in the DNA damage response (DDR) to prevent recognition of double-stranded viral DNA genomes as cellular dsDNA breaks. We hypothesise [...] Read more.
Ionising radiation causes cell death through the induction of DNA damage, particularly double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) breaks. Evidence suggests that adenoviruses inhibit proteins involved in the DNA damage response (DDR) to prevent recognition of double-stranded viral DNA genomes as cellular dsDNA breaks. We hypothesise that combining adenovirus treatment with radiotherapy has the potential for enhancing tumour-specific cytotoxicity through inhibition of the DDR and augmentation of virus production. We show that EnAd, an Ad3/Ad11p chimeric oncolytic adenovirus currently being trialled in colorectal and other cancers, targets the DDR pathway at a number of junctures. Infection is associated with a decrease in irradiation-induced 53BP1 and Rad51 foci formation, and in total DNA ligase IV levels. We also demonstrate a radiation-associated increase in EnAd production in vitro and in a pilot in vivo experiment. Given the current limitations of in vitro techniques in assessing for synergy between these treatments, we adapted the plaque assay to allow monitoring of viral plaque size and growth and utilised the xCELLigence cell adhesion assay to measure cytotoxicity. Our study provides further evidence on the interaction between adenovirus and radiation in vitro and in vivo and suggests these have at least an additive, and possibly a synergistic, impact on cytotoxicity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Adenovirus in Cancer Therapy)
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Review

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26 pages, 5643 KiB  
Review
Oncolytic Adenoviruses: Strategies for Improved Targeting and Specificity
by Praveensingh B. Hajeri, Nikita S. Sharma and Masato Yamamoto
Cancers 2020, 12(6), 1504; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers12061504 - 9 Jun 2020
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 4298
Abstract
Cancer is a major health problem. Most of the treatments exhibit systemic toxicity, as they are not targeted or specific to cancerous cells and tumors. Adenoviruses are very promising gene delivery vectors and have immense potential to deliver targeted therapy. Here, we review [...] Read more.
Cancer is a major health problem. Most of the treatments exhibit systemic toxicity, as they are not targeted or specific to cancerous cells and tumors. Adenoviruses are very promising gene delivery vectors and have immense potential to deliver targeted therapy. Here, we review a wide range of strategies that have been tried, tested, and demonstrated to enhance the specificity of oncolytic viruses towards specific cancer cells. A combination of these strategies and other conventional therapies may be more effective than any of those strategies alone. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Adenovirus in Cancer Therapy)
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18 pages, 1190 KiB  
Review
Adenovirus and Immunotherapy: Advancing Cancer Treatment by Combination
by Mizuho Sato-Dahlman, Christopher J. LaRocca, Chikako Yanagiba and Masato Yamamoto
Cancers 2020, 12(5), 1295; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers12051295 - 21 May 2020
Cited by 36 | Viewed by 5511
Abstract
Gene therapy with viral vectors has significantly advanced in the past few decades, with adenovirus being one of the most commonly employed vectors for cancer gene therapy. Adenovirus vectors can be divided into 2 groups: (1) replication-deficient viruses; and (2) replication-competent, oncolytic (OVs) [...] Read more.
Gene therapy with viral vectors has significantly advanced in the past few decades, with adenovirus being one of the most commonly employed vectors for cancer gene therapy. Adenovirus vectors can be divided into 2 groups: (1) replication-deficient viruses; and (2) replication-competent, oncolytic (OVs) viruses. Replication-deficient adenoviruses have been explored as vaccine carriers and gene therapy vectors. Oncolytic adenoviruses are designed to selectively target, replicate, and directly destroy cancer cells. Additionally, virus-mediated cell lysis releases tumor antigens and induces local inflammation (e.g., immunogenic cell death), which contributes significantly to the reversal of local immune suppression and development of antitumor immune responses (“cold” tumor into “hot” tumor). There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that the host immune response may provide a critical boost for the efficacy of oncolytic virotherapy. Additionally, genetic engineering of oncolytic viruses allows local expression of immune therapeutics, thereby reducing related toxicities. Therefore, the combination of oncolytic virus and immunotherapy is an attractive therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment. In this review, we focus on adenovirus-based vectors and discuss recent progress in combination therapy of adenoviruses with immunotherapy in preclinical and clinical studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Adenovirus in Cancer Therapy)
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25 pages, 1165 KiB  
Review
Expanding the Spectrum of Adenoviral Vectors for Cancer Therapy
by Jian Gao, Wenli Zhang and Anja Ehrhardt
Cancers 2020, 12(5), 1139; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers12051139 - 2 May 2020
Cited by 35 | Viewed by 5764
Abstract
Adenoviral vectors (AdVs) have attracted much attention in the fields of vaccine development and treatment for diseases such as genetic disorders and cancer. In this review, we discuss the utility of AdVs in cancer therapies. In recent years, AdVs were modified as oncolytic [...] Read more.
Adenoviral vectors (AdVs) have attracted much attention in the fields of vaccine development and treatment for diseases such as genetic disorders and cancer. In this review, we discuss the utility of AdVs in cancer therapies. In recent years, AdVs were modified as oncolytic AdVs (OAs) that possess the characteristics of cancer cell-specific replication and killing. Different carriers such as diverse cells and extracellular vesicles are being explored for delivering OAs into cancer sites after systemic administration. In addition, there are also various strategies to improve cancer-specific replication of OAs, mainly through modifying the early region 1 (E1) of the virus genome. It has been documented that oncolytic viruses (OVs) function through stimulating the immune system, resulting in the inhibition of cancer progression and, in combination with classical immune modulators, the anti-cancer effect of OAs can be even further enforced. To enhance the cancer treatment efficacy, OAs are also combined with other standard treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) has mainly been explored to develop vectors for cancer treatment with different modulations. Only a limited number of the more than 100 identified AdV types were converted into OAs and, therefore, the construction of an adenovirus library for the screening of potential novel OA candidates is essential. Here, we provide a state-of-the-art overview of currently performed and completed clinic trials with OAs and an adenovirus library, providing novel possibilities for developing innovative adenoviral vectors for cancer treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Adenovirus in Cancer Therapy)
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18 pages, 628 KiB  
Review
Effect of Transgene Location, Transcriptional Control Elements and Transgene Features in Armed Oncolytic Adenoviruses
by Martí Farrera-Sal, Cristina Fillat and Ramon Alemany
Cancers 2020, 12(4), 1034; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers12041034 - 23 Apr 2020
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3930
Abstract
Clinical results with oncolytic adenoviruses (OAds) used as antitumor monotherapies show limited efficacy. To increase OAd potency, transgenes have been inserted into their genome, a strategy known as “arming OAds”. Here, we review different parameters that affect the outcome of armed OAds. Recombinant [...] Read more.
Clinical results with oncolytic adenoviruses (OAds) used as antitumor monotherapies show limited efficacy. To increase OAd potency, transgenes have been inserted into their genome, a strategy known as “arming OAds”. Here, we review different parameters that affect the outcome of armed OAds. Recombinant adenovirus used in gene therapy and vaccination have been the basis for the design of armed OAds. Hence, early region 1 (E1) and early region 3 (E3) have been the most commonly used transgene insertion sites, along with partially or complete E3 deletions. Besides transgene location and orientation, transcriptional control elements, transgene function, either virocentric or immunocentric, and even the codons encoding it, greatly impact on transgene levels and virus fitness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Adenovirus in Cancer Therapy)
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17 pages, 553 KiB  
Review
Modeling the Efficacy of Oncolytic Adenoviruses In Vitro and In Vivo: Current and Future Perspectives
by Mary K. McKenna, Amanda Rosewell-Shaw and Masataka Suzuki
Cancers 2020, 12(3), 619; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers12030619 - 7 Mar 2020
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4289
Abstract
Oncolytic adenoviruses (OAd) selectively target and lyse tumor cells and enhance anti- tumor immune responses. OAds have been used as promising cancer gene therapies for many years and there are a multitude of encouraging pre-clinical studies. However, translating OAd therapies to the clinic [...] Read more.
Oncolytic adenoviruses (OAd) selectively target and lyse tumor cells and enhance anti- tumor immune responses. OAds have been used as promising cancer gene therapies for many years and there are a multitude of encouraging pre-clinical studies. However, translating OAd therapies to the clinic has had limited success, in part due to the lack of realistic pre-clinical models to rigorously test the efficacy of OAds. Solid tumors have a heterogenous and hostile microenvironment that provides many barriers to OAd treatment, including structural and immunosuppressive components that cannot be modeled in two-dimensional tissue culture. To replicate these characteristics and bridge the gap between pre-clinical and clinical success, studies must test OAd therapy in three-dimensional culture and animal models. This review focuses on current methods to test OAd efficacy in vitro and in vivo and the development of new model systems to test both oncolysis and immune stimulatory components of oncolytic adenovirotherapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Adenovirus in Cancer Therapy)
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16 pages, 2395 KiB  
Review
Bone and Soft-Tissue Sarcoma: A New Target for Telomerase-Specific Oncolytic Virotherapy
by Hiroshi Tazawa, Joe Hasei, Shuya Yano, Shunsuke Kagawa, Toshifumi Ozaki and Toshiyoshi Fujiwara
Cancers 2020, 12(2), 478; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers12020478 - 18 Feb 2020
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 4754
Abstract
Adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5) is widely and frequently used as a virus vector in cancer gene therapy and oncolytic virotherapy. Oncolytic virotherapy is a novel antitumor treatment for inducing lytic cell death in tumor cells without affecting normal cells. Based on the Ad5 [...] Read more.
Adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5) is widely and frequently used as a virus vector in cancer gene therapy and oncolytic virotherapy. Oncolytic virotherapy is a novel antitumor treatment for inducing lytic cell death in tumor cells without affecting normal cells. Based on the Ad5 genome, we have generated three types of telomerase-specific replication-competent oncolytic adenoviruses: OBP-301 (Telomelysin), green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing OBP-401 (TelomeScan), and tumor suppressor p53-armed OBP-702. These viruses drive the expression of the adenoviral E1A and E1B genes under the control of the hTERT (human telomerase reverse transcriptase-encoding gene) promoter, providing tumor-specific virus replication. This review focuses on the therapeutic potential of three hTERT promoter-driven oncolytic adenoviruses against bone and soft-tissue sarcoma cells with telomerase activity. OBP-301 induces the antitumor effect in monotherapy or combination therapy with chemotherapeutic drugs via induction of autophagy and apoptosis. OBP-401 enables visualization of sarcoma cells within normal tissues by serving as a tumor-specific labeling reagent for fluorescence-guided surgery via induction of GFP expression. OBP-702 exhibits a profound antitumor effect in OBP-301-resistant sarcoma cells via activation of the p53 signaling pathway. Taken together, telomerase-specific oncolytic adenoviruses are promising antitumor reagents that are expected to provide novel therapeutic options for the treatment of bone and soft-tissue sarcomas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Adenovirus in Cancer Therapy)
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