FAP-retargeted Ad5 enables in vivo gene delivery to stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment.

ABSTRACT: Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is a cell surface serine protease that is highly expressed on reactive stromal fibroblasts, such as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and generally absent in healthy adult tissues. FAP expression in the tumor stroma has been detected in more than 90% of all carcinomas, rendering CAFs excellent target cells for a tumor site-specific adenoviral delivery of cancer therapeutics. Here, we present a tropism-modified human adenovirus 5 (Ad5) vector that targets FAP through trivalent, designed ankyrin repeat protein-based retargeting adapters. We describe the development and validation of these adapters via cell-based screening assays and demonstrate adapter-mediated Ad5 retargeting to FAP⁺ fibroblasts in vitro and in vivo. We further show efficie

SUBMITTER: Hartmann KP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10556229 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature