Enhanced anti-tumor effect of a gene gun-delivered DNA vaccine encoding the human papillomavirus type 16 oncoproteins genetically fused to the herpes simplex virus glycoprotein D

Anti-cancer DNA vaccines have attracted growing interest as a simple and non-invasive method for both the treatment and prevention of tumors induced by human papillomaviruses. Nonetheless, the low immunogenicity of parenterally administered vaccines, particularly regarding the activation of cytotoxic CD8+ T cell responses, suggests that further improvements in both vaccine composition and administration routes are still required. In the present study, we report the immune responses and anti-tumor effects of a DNA vaccine (pgD-E7E6E5) expressing three proteins (E7, E6, and E5) of the human papillomavirus type 16 genetically fused to the glycoprotein D of the human herpes simplex virus type 1, which was administered to mice by the intradermal (id) route using a gene gun. A single id dose of pgD-E7E6E5 (2 µg/dose) induced a strong activation of E7-specific interferon-γ (INF-γ)-producing CD8+ T cells and full prophylactic anti-tumor effects in the vaccinated mice. Three vaccine doses inhibited tumor growth in 70 percent of the mice with established tumors. In addition, a single vaccine dose consisting of the co-administration of pgD-E7E6E5 and the vector encoding interleukin-12 or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor further enhanced the therapeutic anti-tumor effects and conferred protection to 60 and 50 percent of the vaccinated mice, respectively. In conclusion, id administration of pgD-E7E6E5 significantly enhanced the immunogenicity and anti-tumor effects of the DNA vaccine, representing a promising administration route for future clinical trials.

Production of immunogenic human papillomavirus-16 major capsid protein derived virus like particles.

Background & objective: Recombinant DNA technology allows expression of the human papillomavirus (HPV) major capsid protein (L1) in heterologous expression systems and the recombinant protein self assembles to virus-like particles (VLP). We took up this study to produce recombinant HPV-16 L1 in yeast, establish the process of recombinant L1 derived VLP preparation and develop an ELISA using VLP as the antigen for serological evaluation of anti HPV-16 L1 antibody status. Methods: Complete HPV-16 L1 was amplified from genomic DNA of an esophageal cancer biopsy, cloned and the protein was expressed in a galactose-inducible Saccharomyces cerevisiae expression system. Self assembled VLP was purified by a two-step density gradient centrifugation process and the VLP preparation used to test its suitability in developing an ELISA. Results: The recombinant protein was predominantly a ~55 KD species with distinct immunoreactivity and formed VLP as confirmed by electron microscopy. An ELISA using the VLP showed its efficacy in appropriate immunoreactivity to serum/plasma IgG. Interpretation & conclusions: Recombinant HPV-16 capsid protein derived VLP was produced and the VLP antigen based ELISA can be used to probe serological association of HPV with different clinical conditions. The VLP technology can be improved further and harnessed for future vaccine development efforts in the country.

Asociación entre la presencia de anticuerpos anti-Ras y anti-VPH16 E4/E7 y lesiones intraepiteliales del cérvix / Association between anti-Ras and anti-HPV16 E4/E7 antibodies with cervical intraepithelial lesions

OBJETIVO: Determinar si anticuerpos séricos contra E4, E7 y Ras pueden ser utilizados como marcadores de lesiones tempranas del cérvix uterino asociadas al virus del papiloma humano. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Entre marzo de 1999 y abril de 2000 se realizó un estudio sero-epidemiológico de casos y controles en la clínica de displasias del Hospital General Doctor Gea González, en la Ciudad de México, en 116 muestras de suero para evaluar la presencia de anticuerpos anti-E4, E7 y Ras utilizando un ELISA de captura. Se estimaron razones de momios e intervalos de confianza de 95 por ciento RESULTADOS: Anticuerpos anti-E7 se asociaron a mujeres con lesiones NIC III, mientras que anticuerpos anti-E4 y anti-Ras fueron más frecuentes en lesiones NIC I-II. Al evaluar el perfil de anticuerpos que presentaron las mujeres, encontramos que a) anticuerpos contra dos proteínas predicen la existencia de una lesión NIC I-II, y b) la presencia de tres anticuerpos predicen una lesión NIC III. CONCLUSIONES: La detección de anticuerpos séricos contra E4, E7 y Ras en combinación con otras técnicas de diagnóstico, podrían ser de utilidad para detectar oportunamente a mujeres con lesiones tempranas asociadas al Virus del Papiloma Humano y en riesgo de desarrollar cáncer

Therapeutic uterine-cervix cancer vaccines in humans

Infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types is involved in early stages of uterine-cervix cancer development. The virally encoded E6 and E7 oncoproteins behave as tumor-specific antigens and represent targets for a vaccine designed to control HPV-induced tumors. Using either proteins or peptides based on E6 and E7 oncoproteins of HPV 16 and 18, phase I clinical trials of therapeutic vaccines against HPV-associated cervical cancer have recently been reported. Although the effectiveness of these vaccines cannot be evaluated in such small studies, they constitute an important step toward the development of therapeutic uterine-cervix cancer vaccines. A polytope DNA vaccination approach combined with immunomodulatory cytokines may offer an excellent strategy to reduce the risk of relapse and metastasis following conventional therapies