Title:In Vivo DNA Electrotransfer for Immunotherapy of Cancer and Neurodegenerative Diseases
Volume: 14
Issue: 3
Author(s): Daniela Fioretti, Sandra Iurescia, Vito Michele Fazio and Monica Rinaldi
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Cancer, clinical studies, electrovaccination, electroimmunotherpay, DNA electrotransfer, neurodegenerative diseases, Immunotherapy, Electroporation, DNA Electroimmunotherapy, Oncology, DNA Vaccine, haematological Malignancies
Abstract: Electroporation is the process commonly referred to the transient increase in the permeability of cell membranes on submission
to electric field pulses. Electroporation has become an increasingly extensive method to enhance in vivo DNA delivery for both gene
therapy applications as well as for delivery of DNA vaccines, mostly against cancer. In vivo gene electrotransfer is of special interest
since it is the most efficient non-viral strategy for gene delivery and it is worthy of low manufacturing costs, ease of realization and favorable
safety profile. No adverse findings observed in toxicology and biodistribution/integration studies have been warranted for the
evaluation of this approach in humans. Therefore, gene delivery followed by electroporation is currently being investigated in several
clinical trials. The positive outcomes of early studies suggest that the efficacy of gene delivery and immunogenicity has greatly improved
by electroporation. This review briefly summarizes salient features and recent findings that have contributed to the rapid progress of electroimmunotherapy
as well as an overview of advanced clinical studies in oncology. Translation of in vivo DNA electrovaccination for
neurodegenerative diseases as well as future expectations are also discussed.
