Synthetic Tumor-Specific Promoters for Transcriptional Regulation of Viral Replication

Abstract

Here we describe a collection of methods that have been adapted to isolate and modify tumor-specific promoters (TSPs) to drive viral replication for cancer therapy and other uses. We will describe as examples the secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) and the protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) promoter. We outline strategies to select appropriate TSPs using bioinformatics resources and the methods utilized in their subsequent cloning, assessment of transcriptional activity, and their use in conditionally replicative oncolytic adenoviruses.