PROSPECTS FOR A VACCINE AGAINST HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS

Objective: To summarize existing data regarding the feasibility of dev eloping strategies for prophylactic and therapeutic vaccination agains t human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Data Sources: We used the Medl ine data base and reference lists of articles to identify English-lang uage papers that evaluate strategies for prophylactic and therapeutic vaccination against HPV infection. Methods of Study Selection: Our sea rch uncovered several reports of systems that produce recombinant HPV major capsid proteins as antigens for biochemical, molecular, and immu nologic studies and investigations that evaluate cell-mediated immune responses to HPV-induced, tumor-associated peptides. Data Extraction a nd Synthesis: Recombinant HPV major capsid proteins, which self-assemb le into virus-like particles, are produced in quantity, mimic the conf ormation of native virions, react with neutralizing antibodies, and ar e type-specific. Human papillomavirus early viral peptides induce cyto toxic T lymphocyte responses that retard tumor progression and protect against tumor development after challenge in animal models. Conclusio ns: Recombinant papillomavirus virus-like particles are highly antigen ic, protective in animal models, lack potentially carcinogenic viral D NA, and are, therefore, ideal candidates for a prophylactic vaccine ag ainst HPV infection. Immunization with HPV tumor peptides may be benef icial in tumor prevention, regression, and rejection. Vaccines against HPV infection can be important in reducing the incidence of cervical dysplasia and carcinoma worldwide, particularly in developing countrie s.