Table 4 Application of different OVs mediated target genes in liver cancer

Tumor-suppressor gene

Rb, p53, CDKN2A, DCC, Axin, VHL, WTl, MSH, MLH, HCCS1, APC

rAD-p53 has an adequate therapeutic effect on VX2 rabbit liver cancer [52]

Ad5-PTEN inhibited the proliferation and migration of HepG2 cells and showed good anti-tumor activity on invasive HepG2 transplanted tumors in nude mice [58]

Ad carrying TSLC1 gene inhibits the growth, migration, and invasion of HCC cells by downregulating the Wnt signaling pathway [56]

Immune therapeutic gene

IL2, IL12, IL15, IL-24, IFNα, IFN-γ, IFN-β, TNF, CSF

rAd-IL-2 can stimulate the proliferation of T cells and production of memory T cells in mice with liver cancer and induce tumor-specific CTL reaction and IFN-γ secretion, thereby inhibiting the proliferation of HCC [64]

AD-AFP-D55-IL-24 and AD-AFP-D55-TRAIL can induce cell apoptosis, which can significantly inhibit the tumor growth of Huh-7 cell xenograft mice [95]

Suicide gene

CD/5-FC, HSV-TK/GCV, VZV-TK/ara-M, NTR/CB1954

Ad-ETK expressing E1A and HSV-TK can resist HCC in vitro and in vivo, and HSV-TK/GCV enhances OAd therapy [80]

AD-VEGFp-CDglyTK can effectively inhibit the growth of HCC cells and vascular endothelial cells in vitro and in vivo [82]

Angiogenesis-related gene

Endostatin, angiostatin, arresten, integrin αγβ3, α-chemokine, bFGF, VEGF, PLGF, PDGF

Ad-DB7-shVEGF can reduce the expression of VEGF in HCC cells and induce an anti-angiogenesis effect in vitro and in vivo [90]

ADK1-3 can inhibit the growth of HCC by intravenous injection in mice with HCC [91]