Adenovirus vaccine immunotherapy targeting WT1-expressing tumors.
BACKGROUND
Tumor associated antigens (TAAs) offer specific targets for developing cancer immunotherapies. In particular, viral vectors encoding transgenic TAAs have been used in recent vaccination strategies. Wilm's Tumor gene (WT1) is a robust TAA which is overexpressed in many malignancies and has been recently used to develop a novel recombinant adenovirus (Ad-WT1) for antitumor immunotherapy.


METHODS
The lines of evidence over the past two decades leading to the development of Ad-WT1 immunotherapy are reviewed, including preclinical studies and clinical trials using WT1-based vaccines and TAA-expressing adenoviral vectors for antitumor therapy.


RESULTS
The fundamental immunogenic properties of WT1-based vaccines are detailed, as well as the recent progress in using adenoviral vectors for eliciting a TAA-specific immune response. The reader will also gain an understanding of the evidence supporting Ad-WT1 antitumor therapy in vivo.


CONCLUSIONS
Ad-WT1 elicits a potent CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell immune response and can effectively inhibit tumor growth in vivo, thus making it an important potential cancer therapy worthy of future investigation.
Clarke
Jeffrey M
JM
Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, DUMC Box 31379, Durham, NC 27710, USA. jeffrey.clarke@duke.edu
Morse
Michael A
MA
Lyerly
H Kim
HK
Clay
Timothy
T
Osada
Tayuka
T
D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D016162:Genes, Wilms Tumor / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy*; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014765:Viral Vaccines