Ad.TK

**Ad.TK** is a replication-defective, first-generation adenoviral suicide-gene therapy vector that delivers the **herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase** gene to tumor cells. In the phase I hepatocellular carcinoma study, Ad.TK was administered by direct intratumoral injection and followed by systemic ganciclovir. Expression of HSV thymidine kinase permits intracellular phosphorylation of ganciclovir, producing cytotoxic nucleotide metabolites that inhibit DNA synthesis and kill transduced, proliferating tumor cells; local cell death may also promote antitumor immune responses. The reported hepatocellular carcinoma study enrolled 10 patients and established intratumoral administration up to 2 × 10^12 viral particles as feasible and generally tolerable. ([nature.com](https://www.nature.com/articles/cgt201040.pdf))

Brand names

Cerepro

Other names

Ad-TK