NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Researchers have created an oncolytic adenovirus vector designated VRX-009 that displays enhanced cell-to-cell spread and colon cancer-specific replication, preclinical tests show. “Our data provide hope that VRX-009, or a vector similar in design, will be useful in battling colon cancer,” the authors say.
They describe the tumor-targeting vector’s properties in the May 15th issue of Cancer Research.
The enhanced cell spread of the product is due to overexpression of a cytolytic protein called Adenovirus Death Protein or ADP, Dr. William S. M. Wold, from St. Louis University, and colleagues explain. Replacement of a wild-type promoter with a synthetic one limits VRX-009’s replication to cancer cells with a deregulated wnt signaling pathway.
Evidence of tumor-selective replication included the findings that a key viral protein was only expressed in colon cancer cells and that viral productivity was much higher in colon rather than lung cancer cells. In addition, replication in colon cancer cells was much higher than that seen in bronchial epithelial cells or umbilical vein endothelial cells.
In nude mice with human colon or lung cancer xenografts, VRX-009 suppressed growth of the former, but not the latter, the researchers note.
The results suggest that “VRX-009 may spare cells in vivo that do not have an activated wnt signaling pathway,” the authors state.
Cancer Research;64:3638-3644.
MeSH Headings:DNA, Recombinant: Genetic Engineering: Genetic Techniques: Investigative Techniques: Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and EquipmentCopyright © 2002 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.
