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Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Vasodilation of Isolated Vessels and the Isolation of the Extracellular Matrix of Tight-skin Mice
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Published on: March 24, 2017

Effect of decorin on overcoming the extracellular matrix barrier for oncolytic virotherapy

I-K Choi1, Y-S Lee, J Y Yoo

  • 1Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Sciences, Institute for Cancer Research, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Gene Therapy
|November 13, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Decorin enhanced adenovirus (Ad) gene therapy by improving viral spread and tumor penetration. This decorin-modified Ad therapy led to significant tumor reduction and reduced metastasis, offering a promising approach for cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Gene Therapy
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Gene therapy faces challenges in delivering therapeutic genes effectively to cancer cells in vivo.
  • Improving viral distribution and tumor penetration are critical for enhancing gene therapy efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential of decorin as a tool to enhance viral spreading and tumor penetration in cancer gene therapy.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of decorin-modified adenoviruses (Ads) in improving tumor reduction and survival rates.

Main Methods:

  • Generation of replication-incompetent and replication-competent adenoviruses expressing decorin (DCNG, DCNK, DCNQ) with varying collagen-binding affinities.
  • Assessment of viral tissue penetration in tumor spheroids and solid tumors in vivo.
  • Evaluation of tumor reduction, survival benefit, and metastasis inhibition in mouse models.

Main Results:

  • Decorin-expressing Ad (dl-LacZ-DCNG) significantly enhanced tissue penetration compared to controls, dependent on decorin's collagen-binding affinity.
  • Decorin expression improved viral spread of replicating Ads, leading to better tumor reduction and survival.
  • Decorin-modified Ads reduced extracellular matrix components and inhibited pulmonary metastasis formation.

Conclusions:

  • Decorin acts as an effective dispersion agent, significantly improving the efficacy of Ad-mediated cancer gene therapy.
  • The collagen-binding affinity of decorin is crucial for its enhanced tumor penetration and therapeutic effects.
  • Decorin-modified Ads show potential for improving cancer treatment outcomes by enhancing gene delivery and reducing metastasis.

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