Award Number: W81XWH-06-1-0630 TITLE: A Targeted Mulifunctional Platform for Imaging and Treatment of Breast Cancer and Its Metastases Based on Adenoviral Vectors and Magnetic Nanoparticles

Viruses have a documented history for being used in treatment and prevention of diseases for centuries, with their application in vaccination strategies as a prime early example. In more recent history, viral vectors have been employed for gene and cell therapy of tumors. In this regard, the increased understanding of the aberrant molecular pathways underlying the process of tumorigenesis has rationalized genetic correction of these pathophysiological processes using viral vector based gene and cell therapy approaches. For example, viruses have been genetically engineered to develop oncolytic potency or mediate long-term gene expression. Also, viral vectors carrying therapeutic genes or targeting molecules have been loaded into cells, which can be exploited as delivery vehicles for these therapeutic payloads to the desired target site. However, issues pertaining to viral and cell targeting as well as host immune response elicited upon viral or cell administration remain to be addressed. In summary, the plasticity of the viral structure has rendered them amenable for the development of unique gene and cell therapy approaches, for the treatment of tumors. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________