Tumor vascular targeted delivery of polymer-conjugated adenovirus vector for cancer gene therapy

Mol Ther. 2011 Sep;19(9):1619-25. doi: 10.1038/mt.2011.112. Epub 2011 Jun 14.

Abstract

Previously, we generated a cancer-specific gene therapy system using adenovirus vectors (Adv) conjugated to polyethylene glycol (Adv-PEG). Here, we developed a novel Adv that targets both tumor tissues and tumor vasculatures after systemic administration by conjugating CGKRK tumor vasculature homing peptide to the end of a 20-kDa PEG chain (Adv-PEG(CGKRK)). In a primary tumor model, systemic administration of Adv-PEG(CGKRK) resulted in ~500- and 100-fold higher transgene expression in tumor than that of unmodified Adv and Adv-PEG, respectively. In contrast, the transgene expression of Adv-PEG(CGKRK) in liver was about 400-fold lower than that of unmodified Adv, and was almost the same as that of Adv-PEG. We also demonstrated that transgene expression with Adv-PEG(CGKRK) was enhanced in tumor vessels. Systemic administration of Adv-PEG(CGKRK) expressing the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSVtk) gene (Adv-PEG(CGKRK)-HSVtk) showed superior antitumor effects against primary tumors and metastases with negligible side effects by both direct cytotoxic effects and inhibition of tumor angiogenesis. These results indicate that Adv-PEG(CGKRK) has potential as a prototype Adv with suitable efficacy and safety for systemic cancer gene therapy against both primary tumors and metastases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenoviridae / genetics*
  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Gene Transfer Techniques
  • Genes, Viral
  • Genetic Therapy / methods*
  • Genetic Vectors*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry
  • Polyethylene Glycols / therapeutic use
  • Simplexvirus / genetics
  • Simplexvirus / metabolism
  • Thymidine Kinase / genetics
  • Thymidine Kinase / metabolism
  • Transduction, Genetic
  • Transgenes
  • Vascular Neoplasms / therapy*

Substances

  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Thymidine Kinase