Adenoviral vector-mediated gene therapy for gliomas: coming of age.
BACKGROUND
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common primary brain tumor in adults and it carries a dismal prognosis. Adenoviral vector (Ad)-mediated gene transfer is being developed as a promising therapeutic strategy for GBM. Preclinical studies have demonstrated safety and efficacy of adenovirus administration into the brain and tumor mass in rodents and into the non-human primates' brain. Importantly, Ads have been safely administered within the tumor resection cavity in humans.


METHODS
This review gives background on GBM and Ads; we describe gene therapy strategies for GBM and discuss the value of combination approaches. Finally, we discuss the results of the human clinical trials for GBM that have used Ads.


CONCLUSIONS
The transduction characteristics of Ads, and their safety profile, added to their capacity to achieve high levels of transgene expression have made them powerful vectors for the treatment of GBM. Recent gene therapy successes in the treatment of retinal diseases and systemic brain metabolic diseases encourage the development of gene therapy for malignant glioma. Exciting clinical trials are currently recruiting patients; although, it is the large randomized Phase III controlled clinical trials that will provide the final decision on the success of gene therapy for the treatment of GBM.
University of Michigan Medical School, Department of Neurosurgery , 4570 MSRB II, 1150 West Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5689 , USA +734 764 0850 ; +734 764 7051 ; mariacas@umich.edu.
Maria G
MG
Castro
Marianela
M
Candolfi
Thomas J
TJ
Wilson
Alexandra
A
Calinescu
Christopher
C
Paran
Neha
N
Kamran
Carl
C
Koschmann
Mariela A
MA
Moreno-Ayala
Hikmat
H
Assi
Pedro R
PR
Lowenstein
D000256:Adenoviridae; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000628:therapy; D005910:Glioma / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D056747:Immunomodulation / Q000235:genetics; D019076:Transgenes
Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand; HSV1-TK; dendritic cells; glioblastoma multiforme; high-capacity adenovirus; immunotherapy