Recombinant adenoviruses application for cancer vaccines: from genetic design to clinical translation

Abstract

Cancer remains a major global health challenge, with conventional therapies often limited by toxicity and insufficient efficacy. Oncolytic virotherapy has emerged as a promising immunotherapeutic approach, utilizing genetically engineered viruses to selectively target and destroy cancer cells while stimulating anti-tumor immune responses. Among various oncolytic viruses, adenoviruses (HAdVs) have been extensively studied due to their ability to be genetically modified for enhanced tumor selectivity and immunogenicity. This review explores the mechanisms by which adenovirus vectors function as cancer immunotherapies, detailing their genetic modifications to improve tumor targeting, replication, and immune activation. Additionally, we highlight key clinical trials that have evaluated adenovirus-based therapies in different cancer types, emphasizing their efficacy, safety, and potential for future therapeutic applications.