RCA-free production of third generation adenoviral vectors

Abstract

Adenoviruses (Ad) have a long history as DNA-transfer vehicles in various medical applications including in vivo gene therapy [1]. In this context, the favorable safety profile of Ad has been considered a major benefit, since the lack of integration into the host cell genome eliminates potential risks associated with insertional mutagenesis. This is combined with a comparatively high packaging capacity for foreign DNA, which is relevant in projects where the therapeutic expression cassette is too large for other gene therapy vectors such as adeno-associated viruses. Further advantages include high infectivity, high-titer virus production, excellent stability, and a broad tissue tropism.