Adenovirus vaccine immunotherapy targeting WT1-expressing tumors.

IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD: 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. AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW: 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. WHAT THE READER WILL GAIN: 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. TAKE HOME MESSAGE: 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.

Duke Scholars

Author Jeffrey Melson Clarke Medicine, Medical Oncology

Author Michael Aaron Morse Medicine, Medical Oncology

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