Gene-viral vectors: a promising way to target tumor cells and express antican cer genes simultaneously

Objective To develop a new kind of vector system called gene- viral vector, which combines the advantages of gene and virus therapies.Methods Using recombinant technology, an anti- tumor gene was inserted into the genome of replicative virus specific for tumor cells. The cell killing effect, reporter gene expression of the green fluorescence protein, anti- tumor gene expression of mouse interleukin- 12 (mIL- 12) and replication of virus were observed by the methods of cell pathology, fluorescence microscopy, ELISA and electron microscopy, respectively. Results A new kind of gene- viral vector system of adenovirus, in which the E1b- 55 kD gene was deleted but the E1a gene was preserved, was constructed. The vector system, like the replicative virus ONYX- 015, replicated and proliferated in tumor cells but not in normal ones. Our vector had an advantage over ONYX- 015 in that it carried different kinds of anti- tumor genes to enhance its therapeutic effect. The reporter gene expression of the green fluorescence protein in tumor cells was much better than the adenovirus vector employed in conventional gene therapy, and the expression in our vector system was as low as or even less than that in the conventional adenovirus gene therapy system. Similar results were observed in experiments with this vector system carrying the anti- tumor gene mIL- 12. Replication and proliferation of the virus carrying the mIL- 12 gene in tumor cells were confirmed by electron microscopy. Conclusions Gene- viral vectors are new vectors with an anti- tumor gene inserted into the genome of replicative virus specific for tumor cells. Because of the specific replication and proliferation of the virus in tumor cells, expression of the anti- tumor gene is increased hundreds to thousands of times. This approach takes full advantages of gene therapy and virus therapy to enhance the effect on the tumor. It overcomes the disadvantages of conventional gene therapy, such as low transfer rate, low gene expression, lack of target tropism, and low anti- tumor activity. We believe that this is a promising means for future tumor treatment.