Register for HPV vaccines reviewed from basic science to clinical trials
Human Papillomavirus VaccineJune 19, 2003
2003 JUN 19 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The history of human papillomavirus vaccines, from basic science to clinical trials, has been published in a recent issue of Frontiers in Bioscience.
According to researchers in the United States, "Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection leads to a spectrum of disease from genital warts to precancerous lesions to cervical and anal cancer and is a worldwide public health problem of epidemic proportions. Unique to HPV-related neoplasia, the presence of specific viral antigens such as the L1 capsid structural protein and the oncoproteins E6 and E7 provide opportunities for vaccine therapy. Although difficult to precisely define, the natural immune response to HPV is vitally important and defects in cell mediated immunity correlate with increased risk of disease and cancer."
"In preclinical animal models, both prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines have effectively induced HPV-specific cell mediated immune responses protecting animals from viral challenge or eliminating established tumors," said J. Michael Berry and Joel M. Palefsky at the University of California-San Francisco.
They continued, "Most prophylactic vaccines are virus-like particles (VLP) composed of the L1 structural protein. Phase I trials have demonstrated safety and immunogenicity, but limited efficacy data are available. Therapeutic vaccine trials are reviewed including E6 and E7 vaccines comprised of peptides, fusion proteins, encapsulated plasmid DNA, and recombinant vaccinia virus."
The investigators concluded, "All of the vaccines appear to be safe, well tolerated, and preliminary data indicates that most are clinically effective. Multiple trials are in progress and more mature data are expected within the next few years."
Berry and Palefsky published their findings in Frontiers in Bioscience (A review of human papillomavirus vaccines: From basic science to clinical trials. Front Biosci, 2003;8():S333-S345).
Additional information can be obtained by contacting J. Michael Berry, University of California-San Francisco, Box 0512, 521 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA. E-mail: jmberry@itsa.ucsf.edu.
The publisher of the journal Frontiers in Bioscience can be contacted at: Frontiers in Bioscience Inc., C/O North Shore University Hospital, Biomedical Research Center, 350 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA.
The information in this article comes under the major subject areas of Human Papillomavirus Vaccine, Gynecology, Immunology, Immunotherapy, and Women's Health. This article was prepared by Women's Health Weekly editors from staff and other reports.
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