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Updated: Feb 13, 2026
Ex Vivo Infection of Live Tissue with Oncolytic Viruses
Published on: June 25, 2011
Oncolytic Adenoviruses in Gastrointestinal Cancers
Raquel T Yokoda1, Bolni M Nagalo2, Mitesh J Borad3,4,5,6
1Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology Oncology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, 13400 E Shea Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85205, USA. Yokoda.Raquel@mayo.edu.
Abstract:
Gastrointestinal malignancies are challenging cancers with considerable economic and societal impacts on health care systems worldwide. While advances in surgical approaches have provided benefits to a proportion of patients, only modest improvements have been attained in the treatment of patients with advanced disease, resulting in limited improvement in survival rates in these patients. Oncolytic adenoviruses are being developed to address gastrointestinal malignancies. Each platform has evolved to maximize tumor-cell killing potency while minimizing toxicities. Tumor-specific bioengineered adenoviruses using chimeric promoters, prodrug convertase enzymes, lethal genes, tumor suppressor genes, and pseudo-typed capsids can provide the innovations for eventual success of oncolytic virotherapy. This article will review the developments in adenoviral platforms in the context of specific gastrointestinal cancers. From the bench to the implementation of clinical trials, this review aims to highlight advances in the field from its early days to the current state of affairs as it pertains to the application of adenoviral oncolytic therapy to gastrointestinal cancers.
Insights
Oncolytic adenoviruses show promise for treating gastrointestinal cancers by selectively killing tumor cells. Ongoing research focuses on bioengineered adenoviral platforms to improve efficacy and reduce toxicity in advanced disease.
Area of Science:
- Oncolytic virotherapy
- Gastrointestinal oncology
- Viral gene therapy
Background:
- Gastrointestinal malignancies pose significant global health and economic challenges.
- Current treatments offer limited survival benefits for advanced stages.
- Oncolytic adenoviruses are emerging as a therapeutic strategy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review advancements in adenoviral platforms for gastrointestinal cancers.
- To highlight innovations in oncolytic virotherapy for these malignancies.
- To bridge the gap from preclinical research to clinical trials.
Main Methods:
- Review of bioengineered adenoviral platforms.
- Analysis of tumor-specific modifications (chimeric promoters, prodrug enzymes, etc.).
- Examination of clinical trial progress and outcomes.
Main Results:
- Adenoviral platforms are evolving to enhance tumor-specific killing.
- Bioengineering strategies aim to maximize potency and minimize toxicity.
- Progress is being made from laboratory research to clinical applications.
Conclusions:
- Oncolytic adenoviruses represent a promising approach for gastrointestinal cancers.
- Further development of bioengineered adenoviral platforms is crucial.
- Translational research is key to realizing the potential of oncolytic virotherapy.
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