• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.201-210
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• 2019

The oncolytic viruses selectively infect and destroy cancer cells, not harming normal cells. The cancer cell materials released by oncolysis, like tumor antigens, stimulate host antitumor immune responses, which is a long-lasting antitumor immunity removing cancer cells in remote parts of the body by a systemic response. Oncolytic viruses armed with transgenes such as cytokines or other immune stimulating factors enhance the immune responses. The first oncolytic virus approved by US-FDA is $Imlygic^{(R)}$ targeting for melanoma. The oncolytic virus is considered as a revolutionary immunotherapy for tumors together with immune checkpoint inhibitors. A variety of oncolytic viruses are under research in the treatment of kidney cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer, and many others solid tumors. Clinical trials have shown promising results in different types of cancers. Here, we present a brief introduction of various aspects of oncolytic virus, and a review of the current status of oncolytic virus therapy development.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.1273-1281
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• 2020

Due to the broad host suitability of viral vectors and their high gene delivery capacity, many researchers are focusing on viral vector-mediated gene therapy. Among the retroviruses, foamy viruses have been considered potential gene therapy vectors because of their non-pathogenicity. To date, the prototype foamy virus is the only retrovirus that has a high-resolution structure of intasomes, nucleoprotein complexes formed by integrase, and viral DNA. The integration of viral DNA into the host chromosome is an essential step for viral vector development. This process is mediated by virally encoded integrase, which catalyzes unique chemical reactions. Additionally, recent studies on foamy virus integrase elucidated the catalytic functions of its three distinct domains and their effect on viral pathogenicity. This review focuses on recent advancements in biochemical, structural, and functional studies of foamy virus integrase for gene therapy vector research.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.25-33
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• 2003

Background and Objectives: The Herpes Simplex type 2 Defective Infectious Single Cycle virus (DISC virus) is attenuated virus originally produced as viral vaccines but are also efficient gene transfer vehicle. The main goals of this study were to examine the efficiencies of the gene transfer using DISC vectors for various head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines and to evaluate the efficacy of vaccination with DISC virus carrying a immunomodulatory genes (GM-CSF) as cancer therapy in a organotopic oral cavity squamous cell cancer model. Materials and Methods : We determinated the gene transfer efficiency of DISC virus by x-gal stain method and proved gene and protein expression of DISC-GMCSF transfected SCCVII cells by RT-PCR and ELISA method. Also we evaluated the ex vivo vaccination effects of SCCVII/GMCSF (DISC-GMCSF transfected SCCVII vaccine) vaccine on preventing the recurrence of micro-residual tumor. After the vaccination of SCCVII/GMCSF, specific cytotoxic T-cell responses was evaluated by CTL assay. Results: At an MOI of 10 DISC virus showed 64-88% of transfection rates in various head and neck squamous cancer cell lines. SCCVII cells transduced by DISC virus vector (MOI=10) carrying the GM-CSF gene, produced 4.5 nanogram quantities of GM-CSF per $10^6$ cells. In vivo vaccination using tumor cells transduced ex vivo with DISC-GMCSF resulted in better protection rate against subsequent tumor recurrence in organotopic oral cavity cancer model. Although tumor free survival rate was not statistically significantly increased in vaccination group (p=0.078), tumor specific cytotocic T-cell responses were significantly increased in SCCVII/GMCSF vaccination group. Conclusion: These data demonstrate that; 1) The DISC virus vector is capable of efficient gene transfer to various head and neck squamous cancer cell lines, 2) GM-CSF secreting genetically modified tumor vaccine (SCCVII/GMCSF) efficiently protected against tumor recurrence in organotopic micro-residual oral cavity cancer model and produced tumor specific cytotoxic T-cell response. DISC virus-mediated, cytokine gene transfer may prove to be useful as a clinical therapy for head and neck cancers.

• BMB Reports
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• v.53 no.11
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• pp.565-575
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• 2020

Gene therapy is emerging as a treatment option for inherited genetic diseases. The success of this treatment approach greatly depends upon gene delivery vectors. Researchers have attempted to harness the potential of viral vectors for gene therapy applications over many decades. Among the viral vectors available, gutless adenovirus (GLAd) has been recognized as one of the most promising vectors for in vivo gene delivery. GLAd is constructed by deleting all the viral genes from an adenovirus. Owing to this structural feature, the production of GLAd requires a helper that supplies viral proteins in trans. Conventionally, the helper is an adenovirus. Although the helper adenovirus efficiently provides helper functions, it remains as an unavoidable contaminant and also generates replication-competent adenovirus (RCA) during the production of GLAd. These two undesirable contaminants have raised safety concerns and hindered the clinical applications of GLAd. Recently, we developed helper virus-free gutless adenovirus (HF-GLAd), a new version of GLAd, which is produced by a helper plasmid instead of a helper adenovirus. Utilization of this helper plasmid eliminated the helper adenovirus and RCA contamination in the production of GLAd. HF-GLAd, devoid of helper adenovirus and RCA contaminants, will facilitate its clinical applications. In this review, we discuss the characteristics of adenoviruses, the evolution and production of adenoviral vectors, and the unique features of HF-GLAd as a new platform for gene therapy. Furthermore, we highlight the potential applications of HF-GLAd as a gene delivery vector for the treatment of various inherited genetic diseases.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.204-211
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• 2024

With recent advances in adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapy, efficacy and toxicity screening have become essential for developing gene therapeutic drugs for retinal diseases. Retinal organoids from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) offer a more accessible and reproducible human test platform for evaluating AAV-based gene therapy. In this study, hPSCs were differentiated into retinal organoids composed of various types of retinal cells. The transduction efficiencies of AAV2 and AAV8, which are widely used in clinical trials of inherited retinal diseases, were analyzed using retinal organoids. These results suggest that retinal organoids derived from hPSCs serve as suitable screening platforms owing to their diverse retinal cell types and similarity to the human retina. In summary, we propose an optimal stepwise protocol that includes the generation of retinal organoids and analysis of AAV transduction efficacy, providing a comprehensive approach for evaluating AAV-based gene therapy for retinal diseases.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.132-136
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• 2013

Parainfluenza virus infection is one of the causes of fatal rhabdomyolysis. Rhabdomyolysis can be aggravated by mitochondrial fatty acid ${\beta}$-oxidation disorders during prolonged periods of fasting. Moreover, in patients with late-onset isovaleric acidemia, hyperammonemia may occur following catabolic stress. In the present report, we describe a case of a 4-year-old boy with parainfluenza virus infection and late-onset isovaleric acidemia that rapidly progressed to coma, seizures, and cardiorespiratory collapse. His serum ammonia and creatinine kinase (CK) levels were $385{\mu}Mol/L$ and 23,707 IU/L, respectively. Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) was initiated using continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration, after which the ammonia and CK levels returned to normal. Thus, we recommend the immediate initiation of CRRT in the management of patients with life-threatening rhabdomyolysis and hyperammonemia.

• BMB Reports
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• v.43 no.12
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• pp.773-780
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• 2010

Cancers are still difficult targets despite recent advances in cancer therapy. Due to the heterogeneity of cancer, a single-treatment modality is insufficient for the complete elimination of cancer cells. Therapeutic strategies from various aspects are needed. Gene therapy has been expected to bring a breakthrough to cancer therapy, but it has not yet been successful. Gene therapy also should be combined with other treatments to enhance multiple therapeutic pathways. In this view, gene delivery vector itself should be equipped with intrinsic anti-cancer activities. HVJ (hemagglutinating virus of Japan; Sendai virus) envelope vector (HVJ-E) was developed to deliver therapeutic molecules. HVJ-E itself possessed anti-tumor activities such as the generation of anti-tumor immunities and the induction of cancer-selective apoptosis. In addition to the intrinsic anti-tumor activities, therapeutic molecules incorporated into HVJ-E enabled to achieve multi-modal therapeutic strategies in cancer treatment. Tumor-targeting HVJ-E was also developed. Thus, HVJ-E will be a novel promising tool for cancer treatment.

• 대한두경부종양학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2001.05a
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• pp.71-71
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• 2001

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.94-107
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• 2019

Purpose: To report the effect of Traditional Korean medical treatments on 5 patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia with high-risk human papilloma virus (HPV). Methods: The patients were diagnosed with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia with High-Risk human papilloma virus. The patients were treated by Traditional Korean Medicine such as herb medication and fumigation therapy. Results: After 3~6 months treatments, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grades 1-2 lesions regressed and high-risk HPV infections were not detected. Conclusions: The case report shows that Korean medical treatment can be an effective option for treating lower grade of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia with high-risk human papilloma virus.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.233-241
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• 2010

In vitro elimination of Sweet potato leaf curl virus (SPLCV) from infected sweet potato is difficult due to low number of virus-free plants obtained from meristem tip culture and long growth period required for the virus detection. In this study, efficient production of the SPLCV-free sweet potato by in vitro therapy coupled with a PCR assay for virus detection was investigated. Infected shoots cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium were treated at three different temperatures for 7 weeks followed by meristem tip culture on the medium with or without ribavirin at 50 mg/L. The regenerated plantlets were tested for virus infection by a PCR assay. The results showed that the both heat- and cold-treatments, and addition of the ribavirin did not have significant effect on efficiency of the virus elimination. The meristem size, however, greatly affected the survival rate. Meristems sized over 0.4 mm survived better than smaller ones (0.2-0.3 mm). The PCR assay was approved to be a rapid, sensitive and reliable for the SPLCV detection in regenerated plantlets. Therefore, combination of cultivating meristem tips sized 0.4-0.5 mm on the medium at $22^{\circ}C$ without ribavirin and detection of SPLCV in the regenerated plantlets by the PCR assay was an efficient system for the SPLCV elimination from infected sweet potato.