Abstract
The changes in cancer cell surface molecules and intracellular signaling pathways during tumorigenesis make delivery of adenovirus-based cancer therapies inefficient. Here we have identified carcinoembryonic antigen–related cell adhesion molecule 6 (CEACAM6) as a cellular protein that restricts the ability of adenoviral vectors to infect cancer cells. We have demonstrated that CEACAM6 can antagonize the Src signaling pathway, downregulate cancer cell cytoskeleton proteins, and block adenovirus trafficking to the nucleus of human pancreatic cancer cells. Similar to CEACAM6 overexpression, treatment with a Src-selective inhibitor significantly reduced adenovirus replication in these cancer cells and normal human epithelial cells. In a mouse xenograft tumor model, siRNA-mediated knockdown of CEACAM6 also significantly enhanced the antitumor effect of an oncolytic adenovirus. We propose that CEACAM6-associated signaling pathways could be potential targets for the development of biomarkers to predict the response of patients to adenovirus-based therapies, as well as for the development of more potent adenovirus-based therapeutics.
Authors
Yaohe Wang, Rathi Gangeswaran, Xingbo Zhao, Pengju Wang, James Tysome, Vipul Bhakta, Ming Yuan, C.P. Chikkanna-Gowda, Guozhong Jiang, Dongling Gao, Fengyu Cao, Jennelle Francis, Jinxia Yu, Kangdong Liu, Hongyan Yang, Yunhan Zhang, Weidong Zang, Claude Chelala, Ziming Dong, Nick Lemoine
Figure 6
Systemic delivery of CEACAM6-siRNA–enhanced adenovirus infection; and antitumor efficacy in vivo.
Copyright © 2026 American Society for Clinical Investigation
ISSN: 0021-9738 (print), 1558-8238 (online)