Nestin-driven selective herpes simplex virus type 1 replication (rQNestin34.5) (rQNestin34.5)

This therapeutic strategy utilizes an oncolytic HSV-1 mutant (commonly named rQNestin34.5), in which the viral neurovirulence gene ICP34.5 is placed under the control of a nestin promoter. Nestin is highly expressed in glioma and various cancers, but absent or low in most normal adult tissues. The modification allows the virus to replicate selectively in nestin-expressing tumor cells, leading to efficient tumor cell lysis while sparing normal cells. This approach has shown promise in preclinical models of glioma, where rQNestin34.5 extended animal survival with minimal toxicity. However, it is not a "target" in the sense of a druggable protein, but rather a promoter/virus engineering strategy to achieve selective oncolysis in nestin-positive tumors.

Other names

nestin promoter-driven HSV-1rQNestin34.5oncolytic HSV-1 targeting nestin-positive cells

Selective replication and lysis of nestin-expressing tumor cells via viral cytotoxicity. In some constructs, includes tumor-specific enzyme-prodrug activation (noted in the literature but not specific to nestin-driven viruses).