DNA vaccines for prophylactic or therapeutic immunization against hepatitis B

DNA-based or genetic vaccination is an efficient new technique to stimulate specific immune responses after in vivo delivery of bacteria[ plasmids enc oding antigens. In mice and in various other animal models for hepadnavirus infection, DNA vaccines specific for hepatitis B virus (HBV) antigens indu ce a strong humoral and cell-mediated immunity that confers protection in s ome models. Although there are effective prophylactic vaccines already avai lable for HBV, there is currently no effective treatment for chronic HBV in fection. Patients with HBV-associated liver disease are at increased risk o f developing hepatocellular carcinoma and would greatly benefit from the av ailability of a therapeutic vaccine against HBV. By inducing immune respons es closely related to those involved in clearing virus from the host, DNA v accines may represent an alternative therapeutic approach for chronic HBV i nfection. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.