A Tumor-targeting Adenovirus with High Gene-transduction Efficiency for Primary Pancreatic Cancer and Ascites Cells.

BACKGROUND: Optimizing targeting strategies for vectors in order to enhance antitumor activity and secure patient safety is important for cancer gene therapy. We previously identified two pancreatic cancer-targeting ligands (PFWSGAV: PFW and SYENFSA: SYE) by screening an adenovirus library in vivo and in vitro, respectively.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: To examine clinical usefulness, we assessed gene-transduction efficiency using surgically-resected pancreatic cancer specimens and ascites cells.

RESULTS: For surgical specimens, vectors displaying PFW and SYE improved transduction efficiency by 4.4- and 4.3-fold, respectively. The SYE-displaying vector was >2-fold more efficient for all seven cases, whereas the PFW-displaying vector increased efficiency in two out of four cases. For ascites samples, both vectors increased gene-transduction efficiency of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM)-positive ascites cells by >2-fold in two out of five cases.

CONCLUSION: Both vectors enhanced adenovirus infectivity of pancreatic cancer cells and have potential for gene therapy of pancreatic cancer; therefore they should be further evaluated in clinical studies.