Introgen's adenoviral vectors are derived from adenovirus, a naturally occurring benign virus. Adenoviruses have several properties that make them particularly well suited for use as delivery vehicles:
- Adenoviruses that cause disease and viral replication can be removed without affecting the virus' ability to enter cells and express therapeutic tumor suppressors.
- Adenoviral vectors can be modified to carry large pieces of DNA, providing sufficient space to accommodate a wide variety of tumor suppressors as well as regulatory sequences that may enhance safety and/or efficacy.
- Adenoviral vectors readily enter cancer cells and cells of the immune system.
- Adenoviruses are physically and genetically stable, and can be modified and manufactured in a cost-effective manner.
Introgen is utilizing its adenoviral vector technology platform to deliver several cancer-fighting tumor suppressors. Although the delivered tumor suppressor dictates the therapeutic effect of each product candidate, the mechanism of delivery and expression is the same for all adenoviral-based therapies. The vector backbone is modified to carry a desired therapeutic tumor suppressor and appropriate DNA regulatory sequences. The modified adenovirus is then administered to tumors, either by direct injection or intravenously. Once inside the tumor, the vector uses the adenovirus’ normal abilities to bind to and enter cancer cells. The outer portion of the virus is then removed and the viral DNA enters the cell's nucleus. Although the viral DNA is not incorporated into the DNA of the cell, the therapeutic tumor suppressor is expressed and induces anti-cancer effects.
The removal of the adenoviral tumor suppressors that enable viral replication ensures that adenoviral vectors cannot replicate and provides to potential cancer therapies based on this technology a good safety profile.
Introgen’s product development candidates ADVEXIN®, INGN 241, INGN 234 and INGN 225 utilize the Company’s adenoviral vector technology platform.
