Abstract: Enhancers which preferentially increase the transcription of cis-linked coding sequences in prostate cells are provided. Methods of using DNA constructs comprising the enhancers to control transcription of heterologous polynucleotides are also provided. Delivery vehicles comprising the enhancers and methods of using the vehicles are also provided. Adenovirus vectors in which one or more genes are under transcriptional control of the enhancers of the invention are also provided. Further provided are methods of using the adenovirus vectors of the invention to confer selective cytotoxicity in mammalian cells.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of treating neoplasia using combinations of target cell-specific replication competent adenoviral vectors and chemotherapy, radiation therapy or combinations thereof. The adenoviral vectors are target cell-specific for the particular type of neoplasia for which treatment is necessary and the combination with the chemotherapy and/or radiation leads to synergistic treatment over existing adenoviral therapy or traditional chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Abstract: The present invention provides adenoviral vectors comprising cell status-specific transcriptional regulatory elements which confer cell status-specific transcriptional regulation on an adenoviral gene. A “cell status” is generally a reversible physiological and/or environmental state. The invention further provides compositions and host cells comprising the vectors, as well as methods of using the vectors.

Abstract: The invention provides new urothelial cell specific transcriptional regulatory sequences derived from human uroplakin II (hUPII), as well as polynucleotide constructs such as adenoviral vectors and methods of using hUPII-derived TREs. Additionally, the invention provides adenoviral vectors comprising a gene, preferably an adenovirus gene, under transcriptional control of a urothelial cell-specific transcriptional regulatory element (TRE). These vectors display urothelial cell-specific cytotoxicity, which is especially useful in the context of bladder cancer, in which destruction of these cells is desirable. The invention further provides compositions and host cells comprising the vectors, as well as method of using the adenoviral vectors.

Abstract: Host cell specific adenovirus vehicles are provided for transfecting target host cells. By providing for transcriptional initiating regulation dependent upon transcription factors that are only active in specific, limited cell types, virus replication will be restricted to the target cells. The modified adenovirus may be used as a vehicle for introducing new genetic capability, particularly associated with cytotoxicity for treating neoplasia.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are replication-competent adenovirus vectors comprising co-transcribed first and second genes under transcriptional control of a heterologous, target cell-specific transcriptional regulatory element (TRE), wherein the second gene is under translational control of an internal ribosome entry site. Methods for the preparation and use of such vectors are also provided. The vectors provide target cell-specific virus replication in applications such as cancer therapy and gene therapy.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are replication-competent adenovirus vectors comprising co-transcribed first and second genes under transcriptional control of a heterologous, target cell-specific transcriptional regulatory element (TRE), wherein the second gene is under translational control of an internal ribosome entry site. Methods for the preparation and use of such vectors are also provided. The vectors provide target cell-specific virus replication in applications such as cancer therapy and gene therapy.

Abstract: Host cell specific adenovirus vehicles are provided for transfecting target host cells. By providing for transcriptional initiating regulation dependent upon transcription factors that are only active in specific, limited cell types, virus replication will be restricted to the target cells. The modified adenovirus may be used as a vehicle for introducing new genetic capability, particularly associated with cytotoxicity for treating neoplasia.

Abstract: Methods for rapid detection and/or semi-quantitation of anti-adenovirus antibody are disclosed. Anti-adenovirus antibody is detected using a device comprising a membrane with adsorbed antigen which specifically binds anti-adenovirus antibody and an absorbent pad which is contacted with the membrane. By consolidating detection reactions in a confined location and eliminating the need to manually remove input reagents, detection and semi-quantitation is achieved rapidly and conveniently. The invention also provides kits and devices for detection and/or semi-quantitation of anti-adenovirus antibodies.

Abstract: Compositions comprising host cell specific adenovirus vehicles are provided for transfecting target host cells. The compositions comprise replication competent adenovirus having an adenovirus gene essential for replication under transcriptional control of a cell type specific transcriptional response element (TRE) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a masking agent.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are replication-competent adenovirus vectors comprising co-transcribed first and second genes under transcriptional control of a heterologous, target cell-specific transcriptional regulatory element (TRE), wherein the second gene is under translational control of an internal ribosome entry site. Methods for the preparation and use of such vectors are also provided. The vectors provide target cell-specific virus replication in applications such as cancer therapy and gene therapy.

Abstract: Adenovirus vectors replication specific for cells expressing &agr;-fetoprotein (AFP) and their methods of use are provided. By providing for a transcriptional initiating regulation dependent upon AFP expression, virus replication is restricted to target cells expressing AFP, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The adenovirus vectors can be used to detect and monitor samples for the presence of AFP-producing cells as well as to kill selectively malignant cells producing AFP.

Abstract: The invention provides adenoviral vectors (preferably replication competent) comprising both an E3 sequence and at least one adenoviral gene under transcriptional control of a target cell-specific transcriptional response element. These vectors display significantly improved cytotoxicity, which is especially useful in the cancer context, in which selective destruction of target cells is desirable. The invention further provides host cells comprising the vectors. The invention further provides methods of using the adenoviral vectors.

Abstract: Replication-competent adenovirus vectors specific for cells which allow a probasin transcriptional response element (PB-TRE) to function, such as cells which express the androgen receptor (AR), and methods of use of such viruses are provided. These viruses comprise an adenoviral gene under control of a transcriptional regulatory portion of a PB-TRE, which is in turn dependent upon AR expression. The gene can be, for example, a gene required for viral replication or the adenovirus death protein gene (ADP). The viruses can also comprise at least one additional adenoviral gene under control of at least one additional prostate-specific transcriptional response element, such as that controlling prostate-specific antigen expression (PSA-TRE). Thus, virus replication can be restricted to target cells exhibiting prostate-specific gene expression, particularly prostate carcinoma cells.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of treating neoplasia using combinations of target cell-specific replication competent adenoviral vectors and chemotherapy, radiation therapy or combinations thereof. The adenoviral vectors are target cell-specific for the particular type of neoplasia for which treatment is necessary and the combination with the chemotherapy and/or radiation leads to synergistic treatment over existing adenoviral therapy or traditional chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Abstract: Host cell specific adenovirus vehicles are provided for transfecting target host cells. By providing for transcriptional initiating regulation dependent upon transcription factors that are only active in specific, limited cell types, virus replication will be restricted to the target cells. The modified adenovirus may be used as a vehicle for introducing new genetic capability, particularly associated with cytotoxicity for treating neoplasia.

Abstract: Replication-competent adenovirus vectors specific for cells expressing carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and methods of use of such viruses are provided. These viruses comprise an adenoviral gene under control of a CEA transcriptional regulatory element (CEA-TRE). The gene can be, for example, a gene required for viral replication or the adenovirus death protein gene (ADP). The viruses can also comprise at least one other adenoviral gene under control of another transcriptional regulatory element specific to cells capable of which allow a CEA-TRE to function, such as a variant of a CEA-TRE. By providing for transcriptional initiating regulation dependent upon CEA expression, virus replication can be restricted to target cells which allow a CEA-TRE to function, such as cells expressing CEA, particularly carcinoma cells capable of expressing CEA. An adenovirus of the present invention can further comprise a heterologous gene such as a reporter gene under transcriptional control of a CEA-TRE.

Abstract: The invention provides a human prostate-specific transcriptional regulatory sequence, polynucleotide comprising such regulatory regions, toxin gene constructs wherein a toxin gene is expressed under the transcriptional control of a human prostate-specific transcriptional regulatory sequence, and methods for treating prostate disease using such toxin gene constructs.

Abstract: The invention provides adenoviral vectors (preferably replication competent) comprising both an E3 sequence and at least one adenoviral gene under transcriptional control of a target cell-specific transcriptional response element. These vectors display significantly improved cytotoxicity, which is especially useful in the cancer context, in which selective destruction of target cells is desirable. The invention further provides host cells comprising the vectors. The invention further provides methods of using the adenoviral vectors.

Abstract: Adenovirus vectors replication specific for cells expressing &agr;-fetoprotein (AFP) and their methods of use are provided. By providing for a transcriptional initiating regulation dependent upon AFP expression, virus replication is restricted to target cells expressing AFP, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The adenovirus vectors can be used to detect and monitor samples for the presence of AFP-producing cells as well as to kill selectively malignant cells producing AFP.