The current status of adenovirus-based cancer gene therapy.

Adenoviruses are the most commonly used gene-delivery vectors due to the efficiency of their in vivo gene transfer. Since 1993, about 300 protocols using an adenoviral vector have been performed, although they have yet to be proven effective in clinical trials. The adenovirus-based vector has been continuously improved by modification of the adenoviral genome and capsid, and novel adenovirus-delivery systems, such as the carrier-cell delivery system, have been recently proposed. Adenovirus-based cancer gene therapy is fast becoming one component of a multi-modality treatment approach to advanced cancer, along with surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.