VIRUS WITH MODIFIED BINDING MOIETY SPECIFIC FOR THE TARGET CELLS

摘要

A virus, or virus-like particle, derived from a virus or virus-like particle having a receptor for a host cell comprising a modified binding specificity conferred by a binding moiety allowing the virus or virus-like particle to bind to a target cell characterised in that the said host cell receptor is modified or absent so that the virus or virus-like particle is substantially incapable of binding the said host cell are disclosed. An adenovirus or influenza virus or vaccinia virus, or a replication defective derivative of any of these, characterized in that the virus has a modified binding specificity conferred by a binding moiety allowing the virus to bind to a target cell are disclosed. Suitable binding moieties include monoclonal antibodies, ScFvs, dAbs and minimal recognition units. The use of at least some of these as delivery vehicles for genes to target cells in the fields of gene therepy and cancer treatment are disclosed.