Editorial on Special Issue “Plasmid DNA for Gene Therapy and DNA Vaccine Applications”
1. Introduction
2. Overview of the Published Articles
2.1. Optimization of DNA Vectors
2.2. Optimization of Plasmid DNA Delivery Methods
2.3. Mechanistic Insights into Plasmid DNA Delivery
2.4. DNA Vaccination: Applications Against Infectious Disease
2.5. Cancer Gene Therapy and DNA Cancer Vaccines
2.6. Broader Plasmid DNA Applications
3. Conclusions and Future Directions
Funding
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
List of Contributions
- Kurosaki, T.; Nakamura, H.; Sasaki, H.; Kodama, Y. Suitable Promoter for DNA Vaccination Using a pDNA Ternary Complex. Pharmaceutics 2024, 16, 679. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16050679.
- Zhang, C.; Liu, D. Transcription Factor Binding Site in Promoter Determines the Pattern of Plasmid-Based Transgene Expression In Vivo. Pharmaceutics 2024, 16, 544. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16040544.
- Lundstrom, K. Application of DNA Replicons in Gene Therapy and Vaccine Development. Pharmaceutics 2023, 15, 947. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15030947.
- Mathew, C.; Tucker, C.; Tretyakova, I.; Pushko, P. Replication of the Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Vaccine from a Synthetic PCR Fragment. Pharmaceutics 2024, 16, 1217. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16091217.
- de Caro, A.; Bellard, E.; Kolosnjaj-Tabi, J.; Golzio, M.; Rols, M.-P. Gene Electrotransfer Efficiency in 2D and 3D Cancer Cell Models Using Different Electroporation Protocols: A Comparative Study. Pharmaceutics 2023, 15, 1004. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15031004.
- Radzevičiūtė, E.; Malyško-Ptašinskė, V.; Novickij, J.; Novickij, V.; Girkontaitė, I. Transfection by Electroporation of Cancer and Primary Cells Using Nanosecond and Microsecond Electric Fields. Pharmaceutics 2022, 14, 1239. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics14061239.
- Cvetkoska, A.; Dermol-Černe, J.; Miklavčič, D.; Kranjc Brezar, S.; Markelc, B.; Serša, G.; Reberšek, M. Design, Development, and Testing of a Device for Gene Electrotransfer to Skin Cells In Vivo. Pharmaceutics 2022, 14, 1826. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics14091826.
- Vindiš, T.; Blažič, A.; Khayyat, D.; Potočnik, T.; Sachdev, S.; Rems, L. Gene Electrotransfer into Mammalian Cells Using Commercial Cell Culture Inserts with Porous Substrate. Pharmaceutics 2022, 14, 1959. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics14091959.
- Maji, D.; Miguela, V.; Cameron, A.D.; Campbell, D.A.; Sasset, L.; Yao, X.; Thompson, A.T.; Sussman, C.; Yang, D.; Miller, R.; et al. Enhancing In Vivo Electroporation Efficiency through Hyaluronidase: Insights into Plasmid Distribution and Optimization Strategies. Pharmaceutics 2024, 16, 547. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16040547.
- Wang, C.; Chang, C.-C.; Chi, J.-T.; Yuan, F. Sucrose Treatment Enhances the Electrotransfer of DNA by Activating Phospholipase A2. Pharmaceutics 2024, 16, 475. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16040475.
- Cui, L.; Renzi, S.; Quagliarini, E.; Digiacomo, L.; Amenitsch, H.; Masuelli, L.; Bei, R.; Ferri, G.; Cardarelli, F.; Wang, J.; et al. Efficient Delivery of DNA Using Lipid Nanoparticles. Pharmaceutics 2022, 14, 1698. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics14081698.
- Wallen, M.; Aqil, F.; Spencer, W.; Gupta, R.C. Exosomes as an Emerging Plasmid Delivery Vehicle for Gene Therapy. Pharmaceutics 2023, 15, 1832. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15071832.
- Peletta, A.; Prompetchara, E.; Tharakhet, K.; Kaewpang, P.; Buranapraditkun, S.; Yostrerat, N.; Manopwisedjaroen, S.; Thitithanyanont, A.; Avaro, J.; Krupnik, L.; et al. Translating a Thin-Film Rehydration Method to Microfluidics for the Preparation of a SARS-CoV-2 DNA Vaccine: When Manufacturing Method Matters. Pharmaceutics 2022, 14, 1427. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics14071427.
- Cuypers, M.-L.; Geukens, N.; Hollevoet, K.; Declerck, P.; Dewilde, M. Exploring the Fate of Antibody-Encoding pDNA after Intramuscular Electroporation in Mice. Pharmaceutics 2023, 15, 1160. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15041160.
- Bhandary, M.; Sales Conniff, A.; Miranda, K.; Heller, L.C. Acute Effects of Intratumor DNA Electrotransfer. Pharmaceutics 2022, 14, 2097. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics14102097.
- Sales Conniff, A.; Singh, J.; Heller, R.; Heller, L.C. Pulsed Electric Fields Induce STING Palmitoylation and Polymerization Independently of Plasmid DNA Electrotransfer. Pharmaceutics 2024, 16, 363. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16030363.
- Potočnik, T.; Maček Lebar, A.; Kos, Š.; Reberšek, M.; Pirc, E.; Serša, G.; Miklavčič, D. Effect of Experimental Electrical and Biological Parameters on Gene Transfer by Electroporation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Pharmaceutics 2022, 14, 2700. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics14122700.
- Kamensek, U.; Cemazar, M.; Kranjc Brezar, S.; Jesenko, T.; Kos, S.; Znidar, K.; Markelc, B.; Modic, Z.; Komel, T.; Gorse, T.; et al. What We Learned about the Feasibility of Gene Electrotransfer for Vaccination on a Model of COVID-19 Vaccine. Pharmaceutics 2023, 15, 1981. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15071981.
- Gloanec, N.; Guyard-Nicodème, M.; Brunetti, R.; Quesne, S.; Keita, A.; Chemaly, M.; Dory, D. Plasmid DNA Prime/Protein Boost Vaccination against Campylobacter jejuni in Broilers: Impact of Vaccine Candidates on Immune Responses and Gut Microbiota. Pharmaceutics 2023, 15, 1397. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15051397.
- Shi, G.; Scott, M.; Mangiamele, C.G.; Heller, R. Modification of the Tumor Microenvironment Enhances Anti-PD-1 Immunotherapy in Metastatic Melanoma. Pharmaceutics 2022, 14, 2429. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics14112429.
- Bausart, M.; Vanvarenberg, K.; Ucakar, B.; Lopes, A.; Vandermeulen, G.; Malfanti, A.; Préat, V. Combination of DNA Vaccine and Immune Checkpoint Blockades Improves the Immune Response in an Orthotopic Unresectable Glioblastoma Model. Pharmaceutics 2022, 14, 1025. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics14051025.
- Kamenšek, U.; Božič, T.; Čemažar, M.; Švajger, U. Antitumor Efficacy of Interleukin 12-Transfected Mesenchymal Stem Cells in B16-F10 Mouse Melanoma Tumor Model. Pharmaceutics 2025, 17, 278. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17030278.
- Martínez-Puente, D.H.; Pérez-Trujillo, J.J.; Zavala-Flores, L.M.; García-García, A.; Villanueva-Olivo, A.; Rodríguez-Rocha, H.; Valdés, J.; Saucedo-Cárdenas, O.; Montes de Oca-Luna, R.; Loera-Arias, M.d.J. Plasmid DNA for Therapeutic Applications in Cancer. Pharmaceutics 2022, 14, 1861. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics14091861.
- Luís, M.A.; Goes, M.A.D.; Santos, F.M.; Mesquita, J.; Tavares-Ratado, P.; Tomaz, C.T. Plasmid Gene Therapy for Monogenic Disorders: Challenges and Perspectives. Pharmaceutics 2025, 17, 104. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17010104.
- Sussman, C.; Liberatore, R.A.; Drozdz, M.M. Delivery of DNA-Based Therapeutics for Treatment of Chronic Diseases. Pharmaceutics 2024, 16, 535. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16040535.
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Kamenšek, U. Editorial on Special Issue “Plasmid DNA for Gene Therapy and DNA Vaccine Applications”. Pharmaceutics 2025, 17, 630. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17050630
Kamenšek U. Editorial on Special Issue “Plasmid DNA for Gene Therapy and DNA Vaccine Applications”. Pharmaceutics. 2025; 17(5):630. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17050630
Chicago/Turabian StyleKamenšek, Urška. 2025. "Editorial on Special Issue “Plasmid DNA for Gene Therapy and DNA Vaccine Applications”" Pharmaceutics 17, no. 5: 630. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17050630
APA StyleKamenšek, U. (2025). Editorial on Special Issue “Plasmid DNA for Gene Therapy and DNA Vaccine Applications”. Pharmaceutics, 17(5), 630. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17050630