title: Recombinant alphaviruses as vectors for anti-tumour and anti-microbial immunotherapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vectors derived from alphaviruses are gaining interest for their high transfection potency and strong immunogenicity.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  After a brief introduction on alphaviruses and their vectors, an overview is given on current preclinical immunotherapy studies using vector systems based on alphaviruses. The efficacy of alphavirus vectors in inducing immune responses will be illustrated by a more detailed description of immunization studies using recombinant Semliki Forest virus for the treatment of human papilloma virus-induced cervical cancer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Immunization with recombinant alphavirus results in the induction of humoral and cellular immune responses against microbes, infected cells and cancer cells. Preclinical studies demonstrate that infectious diseases and cancer can be treated prophylactically as well as therapeutically.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Alphavirus-based genetic immunization strategies are highly effective in animal model systems, comparing quite favourably with any other approach. Therefore, we hope and expect to see an efficient induction of tumour-or microbial immunity and a positive outcome in future clinical efficacy studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, Molecular Virology Section, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Annelies
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Riezebos-Brilman
authors.forename: Arjan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de Mare
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bungener
authors.forename: Anke
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Huckriede
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wilschut
authors.forename: Toos
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Daemen
mesh_terms: D000524:Alphavirus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D017053:Infection Control; D007239:Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic