Targeting Tumor Vasculature Using Adeno-Associated Virus Phage Vectors Coding Tumor Necrosis Factorα

An advantage of targeted gene therapy is the potential for effectively delivering anti-vascular and antitumor therapy directly to the site of the tumor, thus maximizing therapeutic efficacy and minimizing toxicity. The use of a vector capable of directed cell transduction can result in the sustained expression of the therapeutic agent. This chapter reviews the current status of vector strategies, targeted gene therapy with tumor-specific promoter and antibody and peptide conjugation, and outlines the challenges faced for the next-generation of gene transfer technology. Furthermore, it summarizes the results of preclinical anti-angiogenic gene therapy investigations, which utilize novel targeted tumor necrosis factorα treatment, and discusses potential clinical applications of this treatment strategy.