K. Suzuki et al., A conditionally replicative adenovirus with enhanced infectivity shows improved oncolytic potency, CLIN CANC R, 7(1), 2001, pp. 120-126
The absence or the presence of low levels of the Coxsackievirus and adenovi
rus receptor (CAR) on several tumor types might limit the efficacy of recen
tly proposed tumor-specific or conditionally replicative adenoviruses (CRAd
s), To address this issue, we used a genetic modification of the fiber knob
in the context of an E1A-defective CRAd to allow CAR-independent target ce
ll infection as a means to enhance oncolytic potency, Such infectivity-enha
nced CRAd showed higher replication, more efficient infection, and lysis of
tumor cells in vitro. Of note, the improved antitumor effect of the fiber-
modified CRAd could be demonstrated in vivo. We conclude that the combinati
on of genomic modification to achieve tumor-selective replication and capsi
d modification to enhance infectivity yields more potent oncolytic adenovir
uses for use in cancer treatment.