RGD-CRAd-COX-2R

RGD-CRAd-COX-2R is a conditionally replicating oncolytic adenovirus (CRAd) engineered for the targeted treatment of malignancies that overexpress cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), such as ovarian and cervical cancers. The virus achieves tumor selectivity by placing the expression of the essential viral gene E1A under the control of a heterologous COX-2 promoter, which restricts viral replication to cells where this promoter is transcriptionally active. To enhance infectivity in tumor cells that often lack the primary adenovirus receptor (CAR), the capsid is modified with an RGD-4C motif in the HI-loop of the fiber knob, allowing the virus to utilize $\alpha_v\beta$ integrins for cell entry. The 'R' designation indicates that the E1 expression cassette is oriented in the reverse direction. Research conducted at the University of Helsinki and the University of Alabama at Birmingham has demonstrated that this agent effectively replicates in and kills human cancer cells while maintaining low replication in non-malignant tissues.

Other names

RGDCRADcox-2RRGDCRADcox2RRGDCRADcox 2R