Recombinant AAV gene transfer: Emerging applications in immune modulation and cancer therapy

Advancements have been achieved in gene transfer using recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV). rAAVs with distinct tissue tropisms are used to deliver target genes safely and accurately to specific host tissue. Although primarily used for treating monogenic disease, rAAV vectors also have potential in the field of immune modulation. Gene delivery through rAAV vectors, particularly those encoding immune regulatory molecules, not only mitigates inflammation and corrects immune dysfunction but also suppresses tumor growth and enhances the efficacy of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cell therapy via immune modulation, thereby exerting anti-cancer effects. rAAV-based immune therapies primarily focus on autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune uveitis, multiple sclerosis and other genetic immune diseases but may also be used to treat hepatocellular carcinoma, glioma and ovarian cancer. The present review aims to outline the advantages and limitations of rAAV gene delivery vectors and their potential applications in immune therapy.