Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide and the use of the nucleic acid or polypeptide in preventing and/or treating cancer. In particular, the invention relates to improved vectors for the insertion and expression of foreign genes encoding tumor antigens for use in immunotherapeutic treatment of cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing ALVAC virus on avian embryonic stem cells and compositions comprising ALVAC virus made using such methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to conjugates derived from the reductive amination of the pneumococcus serotype 5 capsular polysaccharide. The conditions for reductive amination differ from conventional conditions in that they make it possible to avoid the appearance of an undesirable compound which harms the immunogenicity of the conjugates. In carbon NMR spectrum, this undesirable compound is characterized by a resonance signal between 13 and 14 ppm. The aminated polysaccharides used to produce the conjugates therefore have a carbon NMR spectrum lacking a resonance signal between 13 and 14 ppm. The invention offers two conditions for reductive amination. According to a first method, the reductive amination is carried out at a slightly acidic pH (4-6.5) for at the very most 4 hours. According to a second method, the polysaccharide is first of all reduced, then fragmented and, finally, subjected to a reductive amination per se, under conditions which may or may not be conventional.

Abstract: Attenutated recombinant viruses containing DNA coding for a cytokine and/or a tumor associated antigen, as well as methods and compositions employing the viruses, are disclosed and claimed. The recombinant viruses can be NYVAC or ALVAC recombinant viruses. The DNA can code for at least one of: human tumor necrosis factor; nuclear phosphoprotein p53, wiltype or mutant; human melanoma-associated antigen; IL-2; IFN&ggr;; IL-4; GMCSF; IL-12; B7; erb-B-2 and carcinoembryonic antigen. The recombinant viruses and gene products therefrom are useful for cancer therapy.

Abstract: An amphipathic compound including a sterol-derived lipophilic grouping bound to a cationic grouping for use as an adjuvant in the delivery of a vaccine composition. In a particular embodiment, the lipophilic grouping is a cholesterol derivative and the cationic grouping is a quaternary ammonium or a protonatable amine. A vaccine composition including one or more antigens with at least one amphipathic compound having a sterol-derived lipophilic grouping bound to a cationic grouping, is also disclosed.

Abstract: Adjuvant compositions for modulating an immune response to an antigen administered to a host comprise a mineral salt adjuvant and at least one other adjuvant. The compositions provide an adjuvanting effect on an antigen which is greater than the adjuvanting effect attainable by one of the adjuvants alone. An antigen is covalently bonded to a glycolipid analog to provide a discrete molecule which exhibits an enhanced adjuvanting effect on the antigen which is greater than the adjuvanting effect attainable in the absence of such covalent bonding.

Abstract: The invention concerns a purified recombinant glycoprotein having the following properties: a) an adherence capacity to CD4; b) an affinity with a anti-gp120 antibody capable of neutralizing in vitro HIV cell infection; c) an affinity with an anti-gp41 antibody; d) a timeric form free from inter-chain disulphide bonds. The invention also concerns a vaccine comprising said purified glycoprotein and an adjuvant. The invention further concerns a method for obtaining said glycoprotein, which consists in expressing, by means of genetic recombining techniques, a glycoprotein corresponding to the properties a), b) and c) mentioned above; purifying it, and subjecting it to steps involving at least a reducing agent, an ionic detergent and/or a neutral detergent in conditions leading to a glycoprotein having said properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of nucleic acid, including DNA, immunization of a host, including humans, against disease caused by infection by a strain of Chlamydia, specifically C. pneumoniae, employing a vector containing a nucleotide sequence encoding full-length, 5′-truncated or 3′-truncated 76 kDa protein of a strain of Chlamydia pneumoniae and a promoter to effect expression of the 76 kDa protein gene in the host. Modifications are possible within the scope of this invention.

Abstract: An isolated and purified nucleic acid molecule encoding a POMP91A protein of a strain of Chlamydia, is useful for nucleic acid immunization of a host, including a human host, against disease caused by infection by a strain of Chlamydia, particularly C. pneumoniae.

Abstract: In summary of this disclosure, the present invention provides a method of nucleic acid, including DNA, immunization of a host, including humans, against disease caused by infection by a strain of Chlamydia, specifically C. pneumoniae, employing a vector, containing a nucleotide sequence encoding a inclusion membrane protein C of a strain of Chlamydia pneumoniae and a promoter to effect expression of the inclusion membrane protein C gene in the host. Modifications are possible within the scope of this invention.

Abstract: Vectors containing a nucleotide sequence coding for an F protein of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and a promoter for such sequence, preferably a cytomegalovirus promoter, are described. Such vectors also may contain a further nucleotide sequence located adjacent to the RSV F protein encoding sequence to enhance the immunoprotective ability of the RSV F protein when expressed in vivo. Such vectors may be used to immunize a host, including a human host, by administration thereto. Such vectors also may be used to produce antibodies for detection of RSV infection in a sample.

Abstract: A host is immunized against infection by a strain of Chlamydia by initial administration of an attenuated bacteria harbouring a nucleic acid encoding a Chlamydia protein followed by administration of a Chlamydia protein in ISCOMs. This procedure enables a high level of protection to be achieved.

Abstract: The present invention provides reagents and methods for producing and utilizing targeted immunogens. In preferred embodiments, an immunogen is conjugated to an amino acid sequence that targets the immunogen to the MHC presentation pathway. Using the reagents and methods provided herein, immunization protocols may be enhanced resulting in increased immunity of the host.

Abstract: Method and device for cell lysis in which a liquid mixture of bateria or eukaryoptic cells and of a lysing agent is produced continuously, and this mixture is caused to flow immediately in a steady stream inside a tubing (7), the flow rate of this stream being adjusted as a function of the diameter and of the length of the tubing (7) so as to obtain a substantially homegenous cell lysate at the outlet (8) of the said tubing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of nucleic acid, including DNA, immunization of a host, including humans, against disease caused by infection by a strain of Chlamydia, specifically C. pneumoniae, employing a vector, containing a nucleotide sequence encoding a CPN100605 polypeptide of a strain of Chlamydia pneumoniae and a promoter to effect expression of the CPN100605 polypeptide in the host. Modifications are possible within the scope of this invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acids, proteins and vectors for a method of nucleic acid, including DNA, immunization of a host, including humans, against disease caused by infection by a strain of Chlamydia, specifically C. pneumoniae. The method employs a vector containing a nucleotide sequence encoding a transmembrane protein of a strain of Chlamydia pneumoniae and a promoter to effect expression of the transmembrane protein gene product in the host. Modifications are possible within the scope of this invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of nucleic acid, including DNA, immunization of a host, including humans, against disease caused by infection by a strain of Chlamydia, specifically C. pneumoniae, employing a vector containing a nucleotide sequence encoding a membrane ATPase of a strain of Chlamydia pneumoniae and a promoters to effect expression of the membrane ATPase in the host. Modifications are possible within the scope of this invention.

Abstract: Multivalent immunogenic molecules comprise a carrier molecule containing at least one functional T-cell epitope and multiple different carbonhydrate fragments each linked to the carrier molecule and each containing at least one functional B-cell epitope. The carrier molecule inparts enhanced immunogenicity to the multiple carbohydrate fragments. The carbohydrate fragments may be capsular oligosaccharide fragments from Streptococcus pneumoniae which may be serotypes (1, 4, 5, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F or 23F), or Neisseria meningitidis, which may be serotype (A, B, C) W-135 or Y. Such oligosaccharide fragments may be sized from about 2 to about 5 kDa. Alternatively, the carbohydrate fragments may be fragments of carbohydrate-based tumor antigens, such as Globo H, LeY or STn. The multivalent molecules may be produced by random conjugation or site-directed conjugation of the carbohydrate fragments to the carrier molecule.

Abstract: In summary of this disclosure, the present invention provides a method of nucleic acid, including DNA, immunization of a host, including humans, against disease caused by infection by a strain of Chlamydia, specifically C. pneumoniae, employing a vector, containing a nucleotide sequence encoding an 98 kDa outer membrane protein of a strain of Chlamydia pneumoniae and a promoter to effect expression of the 98 kDa outer membrane protein gene in the host. Modifications are possible within the scope of this invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acids, proteins and vectors for a method of nucleic acid, including DNA, immunization of a host, including humans, against disease caused by infection by a strain of Chlamydia, specifically C. pneumoniae. The method employs a vector containing a nucleotide sequence encoding an ATP-binding cassette of a strain of Chlamydia pneumoniae and a promoter to effect expression of the ATP-binding cassette gene product in the host. Modifications are possible within the scope of this invention.