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: 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: Replication competent adenoviral vectors specific for cells expressing alfa-fetoprotein (AFP) are provided. These replication-competetent adenoviral vectors comprise adenovirus genes essential for replication under the transcriptional control of an AFP-transcriptional regulatory element.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: The invention provides methods and vector constructs for assaying gene expression. The vector constructs used in the invention comprise a marker which is directed to the cell surface, which in turn can be assayed. By displaying the marker protein at the cell surface, the level of activity of marker gene expression can be assessed without disrupting the cell membrane, also permitting serial measurements.

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: 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: 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: 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 and adenoviral gene under control of a transcription 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: 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: 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: Replication-competent adenovirus vectors specific for cells which allows 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: Screening of compounds for activity toward inhibition of prostate cancer cell proliferation is provided. A cell line containing an expression construct comprising a transciptional initiation region of a prostate specific enhancer from a human glandular kallikrein (hKLK2) gene is employed which can be used in conventional equipment for determining activity of compounds, where the cell line uses a marker whose expression is responsive to therapeutically active compounds.