Adeno-associated virus vector-mediated gene therapy for the treatment of ovarian cancer: a literature review

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The adeno-associated virus (AAV) is a member of the Parvoviridae family and has emerged as one of the most popular and promising approaches for gene therapy due to its low toxicity, low immunogenicity, and excellent safety after optimization. Advances in gene therapy methods have allowed novel treatments such as using AAV to knock out or repair target genes. AAV-mediated gene therapy has been used in numerous tumor studies, including lymphatic metastasis of prostate cancer, liver cancer, and renal cell carcinoma in mice. Ovarian cancer is an extremely aggressive malignancy which is prone to recurrence, and AAV vector-based gene therapy may be a potential treatment strategy. METHODS: Herein, we reviewed the current research to provide an update on the role of AAV-mediated gene therapy in tumor research, especially in ovarian cancer. To find recent developments in pertinent research, we examined the PubMed database. KEY CONTENT AND FINDINGS: AAV vectors may produce steady and effective gene expression without becoming harmful, making it a viable gene delivery technique. AAV-based gene therapy products have been widely used in preclinical research and some have achieved marketing approval. CONCLUSIONS: Due to its affinity for various organs, reliable integration, and long-lasting expression, certain AAV serotypes have been widely used in gene therapy. However, there are also some challenges. Extensive research on the role of AAV in disease and gene therapy has shown great potential. Herein, we examined the literature to better understand the function of the AAV in tumor research, particularly in ovarian cancer research.