CoVal fusions: a therapeutic vaccine platform using heat shock proteins to treat chronic viral infection and cancer.
We have developed an immunization platform which combines heat shock proteins (Hsp) with protein antigens, such as viral or cancer targets, into a single recombinant fusion protein. Pre-clinical data demonstrate the ability of Hsp fusion proteins to induce antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes, Type 1 cytokines and anti-tumour immunity. One Hsp fusion protein, HspE7, is now in clinical development for therapy of diseases caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV infection is associated with development of proliferative lesions (papillomas or warts) as well as malignant lesions (anogenital dysplasia and cancer). HspE7 has been shown in efficacy trials to be active against genital warts and anal dysplasia, and a trial is underway in another HPV indication, recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. Having observed therapeutic activity for our lead product HspE7 in humans, we are currently developing Hsp fusion proteins as therapeutic vaccines for other chronic viral infections. Potential targets include hepatitis B, herpes simplex, hepatitis C, and human immunodeficiency virus.
Neefe
J R
JR
Stressgen Biotechnologies, Collegeville, PA, USA. jneefe@stressgen.com
Chu
N R
NR
Mizzen
L
L
D000818:Animals; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D023421:Models, Animal; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000628:therapy*
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins; D014765:Viral Vaccines