Chimeric virus-like particles of the human papillomavirus type 16 (HVP 16) as a prophylactic and therapeutic vaccine

Infection by certain human papillomaviruses (HPV), most notably HPV types 16 and 18, is the mejor risk factor cervical cancer. Worldwide, this disease represents the second most frequent malignant tumor in women; thus, there is urgent need for efficient therapy and prevention. The natural history of cervical cancer and its precursors (cervical intraepithelial neoplasias), as well as animal experiments, strogly suggest that immune system controls both the primary infection (by neutralizing antibodies directed against the major structural protein L1) and the progression o the disease (via cytotoxic T cell specific for the viral oncoproteins expressed in transformed cells, e.g., E7). By the expression of an HPV 16 L1E7 fusion proteins, we have generated chimeric virus-like particles (CVLP). Immunization of mice with CVLPs induces neutralizing antibodies directed against L1 virus-like particles (devoid of the E7 portion) and E7-specific t cells as measured in vitro. Vaccinated animals are protected against tumor growth followings inoculation of syngeneic HPV 16-transformed cells. In addition, we observed a therapeutic effect of vaccination on pre-existing tumors. This data allowed us to concelude that CVLPs are suitable for prevention and therapy of HPV infection. A vaccine based on HPV 16 L1E7 CVLPs is currently under development

Infección a papiloma virus humano y cáncer de cervix: estado actual de la investigación / Human Papillomavirus Infection and Cervical Cancer: Current Status of Research

La revisión histórica de la evolución del conocimiento acerca de la relación del papilomavirus humano y la neoplasia del cuello uterino nos permitse comprender mejor el estado actual de la investigación en este campo, enfocando más adecuadamente las implicancias clínicas del conocimiento generado en el laboratorio, y avisorando la dirección futura de la investigación que tendrá como meta mejorando el diagnóstico y la prevención.

Infecciones genitales por papilomavirus humanos y cancer: Memorandum de una Reunión de la OMS

There is increasing evidence from molecular biology and clinical investigations that infection with specific types of human papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with anogenital cancers, especially cancer of the cervix uteri. Human papillomavirus types 16 and 18 have been found in the majority of servical cancers investigated; specific viral mechanisms appear to be involved in the malignant conversión of these tumours. However, evidence from epidemiological investigations is still inconclusive. Concerted efforst to study the etiology and natural history of lower genital tract neoplasia and its association with HPV, together with the development of vaccines against specific viral types, are needed in order to make it possible in the future to prevent cervical and other anogenital cancers