Oncology

Precision plasmid DNA and viral vectors advancing cancer therapies

Molecular Cloning & Mutagenesis Projects Completed

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Viral Vector Packaging Solutions Delivered

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Plasmid DNA Preparations Successfully Produced

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Plasmid DNA and viral vector technologies are becoming foundational in developing precision oncology treatments, focusing on making therapies more specific to individual cancer types and patient profiles, giving patients more hope for cancer removal and living long term cancer-free life.

But what kinds of cancer are best suited for plasmid DNA and viral vector applications? We are glad you asked!

Plasmid DNA and Viral Vector Based Therapeutics Breakdown

Plasmid DNA Inputs

Plasmid DNA Vectors: These vectors are designed to deliver therapeutic genes into target host cells. They encode specific proteins that can trigger immune responses, correct genetic mutations, or stimulate therapeutic molecule production. Learn more molecular cloning services for plasmid DNA.

Promoters and Enhancers: Regulatory elements added to plasmids control gene expression, allowing the therapeutic gene to be expressed in specific tissues or in response to certain conditions.

Targeted Delivery Systems: While plasmids can be delivered directly, their efficiency can be enhanced using viral vectors like lentivirus and retrovirus for improved cellular uptake.

Plasmid DNA Outcomes

Gene Expression for Tumor Suppression: Plasmid DNA can introduce genes that inhibit tumor growth or induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancerous cells.

Immune System Activation: Plasmids can carry antigens to stimulate the immune system against cancer cells, leading to a targeted immune response.

Genetic Modulation: Plasmids can modulate gene expression, reprogramming cancer cells or correcting mutations, which can slow down or halt tumor progression.

Viral Vector Inputs

Longer Expression: Adeno-associated vectors and adenoviral vectors are particularly suited for transient expression, offering high gene delivery efficiency without integrating into the host genome. AAV offers more controlled, temporary genetic modifications. Lentiviral and retroviral vectors are better for long-term expression due to their ability to integrate into the host genome. Learn more about AAV vs lentivirus vectors for research applications.

Gene Payload: Viral vectors are engineered to carry specific genes for immune checkpoint inhibition, tumor antigen expression, or genes that can modify the tumor microenvironment to inhibit cancer growth.

Safety Modifications: Viral vectors are attenuated and engineered to minimize pathogenicity and prevent replication, making them safe for therapeutic use.

Viral Vector Outputs

Targeted Tumor Cell Destruction: AAV and adenoviral vectors can deliver genes to induce cell death or inhibit cancer cell growth transiently, while lentiviral vectors provide long-term effects.

Immune Response Activation: Viral vectors encoding tumor antigens help immune cells recognize and attack cancer cells. Adenoviral vectors excel in short-term immune activation.

Long Term Gene Expression: Lentiviral and retroviral vectors integrate their genetic material into the host genome, enabling prolonged effects for chronic cancer treatments.

Plasmid DNA Oncology Vaccines

Plasmid DNA vaccines encode tumor antigens, leading to protein expression that activates the immune system to target cancer cells. These vaccines are being developed for cancers like melanoma, prostate cancer, and breast cancer. Read more about plasmid DNA and viral vector based vaccine development.

Oncology Treatments, Therapeutics, and Vaccines

CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor) Cell Therapy

Vectors Used: Lentiviral and retroviral vectors are primarily used to deliver CAR genes into a patient’s T cells. Learn how lentivirus is an ideal viral vector for CAR-T based therapeutics.

Process: T cells are extracted from the patient, genetically modified with viral vectors to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that recognize specific antigens on cancer cells, and then reinfused into the patient.

Applications: Most effective in blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma but is being explored for solid tumors as well including:

Kymriah – Novartis
Yescarta – Kite Pharma
Breyanzi – BMS
Tecartus – Kite Pharma

Cancer Gene Therapy

Vectors Used: Plasmid DNA, lentiviral, retroviral, AAV, and adenoviral vectors.

Process: Genes are delivered to cancer cells to induce cell death, repair defective genes, or inhibit pathways that promote tumor growth. Learn more about gene therapy.

Applications: Includes treatments for glioblastoma, lung cancer, and other tumors where genes like p53 (a tumor suppressor gene) are delivered to replace or repair defective ones in cancer cells.

RELYVRIO – MeiraGTx
p53 Gene Therapy (Gendicine) – Shenzhen SiBiono GeneTech

DNA Cancer Vaccines

Vectors Used: Plasmid DNA.

Process: Plasmids encoding tumor antigens are injected into the body, where cells take up the plasmid, express the antigen proteins, and stimulate an immune response against cells displaying the same antigens (such as tumor cells).

Applications: These vaccines are in development for several cancers, including melanoma, prostate cancer, and breast cancer, to elicit a strong, targeted immune response.

RELYVRIO – MeiraGTx
p53 Gene Therapy (Gendicine) – Shenzhen SiBiono GeneTech

Oncolytic Viral Therapy

Vectors Used: AAV, adenoviral vector, and lentiviral vectors.

Process: Viruses are engineered to selectively infect and lyse cancer cells, often with additional genes that enhance immune activation against tumors.

Applications: Used in treatments for melanoma, glioblastoma, and other solid tumors. Some oncolytic viruses are modified with plasmids encoding immune-stimulating genes to amplify the anti-tumor immune response.

Imlygic – Amge
RP1 – Replimune

TCR-T (T Cell Receptor) Cell Therapy

Vectors Used: Lentiviral vectors.

Process: T cells are modified to express T cell receptors (TCRs) that recognize specific antigens presented by cancer cells. This enables the T cells to target cancer cells more effectively.

Applications: TCR-T therapies target solid tumors with well-defined antigens and have been applied to cancers like melanoma, sarcoma, and certain types of epithelial cancers.

Kimmtrak – Immunocore
afamitresgene autoleucel – Adaptimmune

Immunomodulatory Gene Therapy

Vectors Used: Lentiviral, AAV, and adenoviral vectors.

Process: Genetic modification of immune cells, such as macrophages, is achieved by delivering genes that alter their activity, making them more aggressive against cancer cells or altering the tumor microenvironment. Learn more about plasmid DNA and viral vectors in immunotherapy.

Applications: This is being explored in various cancers to increase immune infiltration in tumors and reduce immunosuppressive signals from the tumor microenvironment.

Molecular Cloning, Mutagenesis, AAV Packaging, Adenovirus Packaging, Lentivirus Packaging, Retrovirus Packaging, and CRISPR-Cas9 Services for Oncology R&D

These approaches are at various stages of clinical development and have the potential to revolutionize cancer treatment, making it more targeted, personalized, and less toxic than traditional therapies. Read more about plasmid DNA and viral vectors in precision medicine. By tailoring these treatments to individual genetic profiles, plasmid DNA and viral vector based therapies offer an innovative path toward more effective cancer treatment strategies.

Our laboratory specializes in plasmid DNA and viral vector services for oncology discovery phase research including:

If you have a question about your plasmid DNA and viral vector based oncology research, contact our team.