Table 1.

Comparative characterization of most used viral vectors with their advantages and disadvantages for potential use in neuro-oncology.

Virus	Genome	Size, nm	Titer, transducing units in ml−1	Capacity, thousand base pairs	Target cells	Duration of miRNA expression	Integration with recipient DNA	Transduction efficiency	Immunogenicity
LVs	RNA	100	106–109	8	Dividing cells	↑	+	↑	↓
AVs	Double stranded DNA	80–120	109–1013	20	Dividing and non-dividing cells	↓	–	↑	↑
AAVs	Single stranded DNA	20–30	109–1013	4,5–5,0	Dividing and non-dividing cells	↑	+-	↑	↓
HSVs	Double stranded DNA	120–300	108–1011	30–50 (up to 150 for amplicons)	Non-dividing cells	↓	–	↓	↓

Abbreviations: LVs, Lentiviruses; AVs, Adenoviruses; AAVs, Adeno-associated viruses; HSVs, Herpes simplex viruses. Note: +, Possible; -, No possible; +-, Sometimes possible; ↑, High; ↓, Low.