Therapeutic potential of protein and adjuvant vaccinations on tumour growth

Over 90% of cervical cancers are associated with HPV infection, the commonest being the HPV-16 subtype. Two early viral genes, E6 and 7, play major roles in the development and maintenance of the malignant phenotype. The vaccine potential of a recombinant HPV16 E7 protein was examined in two murine models of E7-expressing tumours. Formulations including the immunostimulants MPL and QS21 induced therapeutically active immune responses leading to regression of pre-established TC1 tumour lesions, associated with induction of IgG antibodies, lymphoproliferation and CTL. Our data provide a clear incentive to investigate the clinical application of this approach in cancer immunotherapy.