Ras-dependent oncolysis with an adenovirus VAI mutant.

Adenovirus synthesize proteins that interact with oncogene and tumor suppressor gene products to set the cell for virus replication. Mutant viruses defective in these functions replicate selectively in cancer cells and represent new tools to treat cancer. We report a selectivity strategy based on deletions of adenovirus Virus-Associated (VA) RNAs. In normal cells, these RNAs are necessary for virus replication because they inactivate the RNA-dependent protein kinase protein kinase R, a kinase that otherwise would block protein translation in response to infection. However, downstream effectors of Ras can also inactivate protein kinase R, and therefore, the need for VA RNA genes should be bypassed in cells with an active Ras pathway. We demonstrate here that a VAI RNA mutant presents a Ras-dependent replication and can be used for oncolytic virotherapy of pancreatic tumors.