Single-dose, therapeutic vaccination of mice with vesicular stomatitis virus expressing human papillomavirus type 16 E7 protein

Clin Vaccine Immunol. 2008 May;15(5):817-24. doi: 10.1128/CVI.00343-07. Epub 2008 Mar 12.

Abstract

We are developing recombinant attenuated vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) as a vaccine vector to generate humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. Here, we explore the use of VSV vaccines for cancer immunotherapy. Immunotherapy targeting high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) lesions has the potential to benefit HPV-infected individuals and cervical cancer patients by generating cytotoxic T cells that kill tumor cells that express viral antigens. A single dose of VSV expressing the HPV type 16 (HPV16) E7 oncogene was used for therapeutic vaccination of mice bearing TC-1 syngeneic tumors, which express HPV16 E7. HPV16 E7-specific T cells were generated and displayed cytotoxic activity against the tumor cells. By 14 days postvaccination, average tumor volumes were 10-fold less in the vaccinated group than in mice that received the empty-vector VSV, and regression of preexisting tumors occurred in some cases. This antitumor effect was CD8 T-cell dependent. Our results demonstrate antitumor responses to HPV16 E7 and suggest that recombinant-VSV-based vaccination should be explored as a therapeutic strategy for cervical carcinoma and other HPV-associated cancers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Genetic Vectors / administration & dosage
  • Human papillomavirus 16 / chemistry
  • Human papillomavirus 16 / genetics
  • Mice
  • Oncogene Proteins, Viral / administration & dosage*
  • Oncogene Proteins, Viral / genetics
  • Oncogene Proteins, Viral / immunology
  • Papillomavirus E7 Proteins
  • Papillomavirus Infections / immunology
  • Papillomavirus Infections / prevention & control*
  • Papillomavirus Infections / virology
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / immunology
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / prevention & control
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / virology
  • Vesicular stomatitis Indiana virus / genetics*
  • Vesicular stomatitis Indiana virus / immunology
  • Viral Vaccines / administration & dosage*
  • Viral Vaccines / genetics
  • Viral Vaccines / immunology

Substances

  • Oncogene Proteins, Viral
  • Papillomavirus E7 Proteins
  • Viral Vaccines
  • oncogene protein E7, Human papillomavirus type 16