Biologics: Targets & Therapy (Apr 2021)
Baculoviruses in Gene Therapy and Personalized Medicine
Abstract
Sabrina Schaly, Merry Ghebretatios, Satya Prakash Biomedical Technology and Cell Therapy Research Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 2B4, CanadaCorrespondence: Satya PrakashBiomedical Technology and Cell Therapy Research Laboratory Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, 3775 University Street, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 2B4, CanadaTel +1 514 398 3676Fax +1 514 398 7461Email [email protected]: This review will outline the role of baculoviruses in gene therapy and future potential in personalized medicine. Baculoviruses are a safe, non-toxic, non-integrative vector with a large cloning capacity. Baculoviruses are also a highly adaptable, low-cost vector with a broad tissue and host tropism due to their ability to infect both quiescent and proliferating cells. Moreover, they only replicate in insect cells, not mammalian cells, improving their biosafety. The beneficial properties of baculoviruses make it an attractive option for gene delivery. The use of baculoviruses in gene therapy has advanced significantly, contributing to vaccine production, anti-cancer therapies and regenerative medicine. Currently, baculoviruses are primarily used for recombinant protein production and vaccines. This review will also discuss methods to optimize baculoviruses protein production and mammalian cell entry, limitations and potential for gene therapy and personalized medicine. Limitations such as transient gene expression, complement activation and virus fragility are discussed in details as they can be overcome through further genetic modifications and other methods. This review concludes that baculoviruses are an excllent candidate for gene therapy, personalized medicine and other biotherapeutic applications.Keywords: baculovirus, gene therapy, personalized medicine
