ENHANCED IMMUNOGENICITY OF A RECOMBINANT GENITAL WARTS VACCINE ADJUVANTED WITH MONOPHOSPHORYL LIPID-A

The regression of genital warts is believed to be a T-cell-mediated im mune effect, We have sought to enhance the immunogenicity of a therape utic vaccine for the treatment of genital warts with the use of the ad juvant monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL(R)-immunostimulant), a detoxified f orm of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Salmonella minnesota R595, The comparative immunogenicity and reactogenicity of a recombinant human p apillomavirus type 6 (HPV6) L2E7 fusion protein in either aqueous, oil -in-water emulsions or Alhydrogel(R) formulations containing MPL(R) wa s evaluated, We conclude that the simple addition of MPL(R) to the L2E 7 fusion protein already adsorbed onto Alhydrogel(R) preferentially en hances antigen specific in vitro T-cell proliferative responses, IFN g amma production and in vivo delayed type hypersensitivity responses wi thout increasing its reactogenicity. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Sc ience Ltd, All rights reserved.