Abstract: This document describes compositions and methods for inducing an immune response (e.g., a cellular response such as a cell-mediated cytolytic immune response) to a human papillomavirus (HPV) antigen, which can be displayed by HPV or exhibited by infected cells (e.g., cells from cervical and other tumors). The HPV protein can be joined to a stress protein by chemical conjugation or noncovalently using linking moieties, or by fusion (e.g., a recombinant fusion protein). Also described are expression vectors containing sequences encoding HPV antigens and stress proteins, which can be introduced into cells of a subject or cells ex vivo. Also described are compositions that include a stress protein linked to an HPV antigen and another pharmacologically acceptable component and stress protein—HPV antigen fusions and conjugates. These compositions can be used to induce or enhance an immune response against HPV and cells that exhibit HPV antigens, including HPV-associated tumors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions for inducing an immune response, preferably a cellular, in particular a cell-mediated, cytolytic immune response, to human papillomavirus (HPV) protein antigens displayed by HPV or exhibited by infected cells including cells from cervical and other tumors. In one embodiment, compositions comprise an HPV protein antigen joined to a stress protein (or heat shock protein (Hsp)). The HPV protein antigen may be joined to the stress protein by chemical conjugation or noncovalently using linking moieties, or the HPV protein antigen and the stress protein may be joined in a fusion protein containing both HPV protein antigen and stress protein sequences. In another embodiment, compositions comprise an expression vector including, in expressible form, sequences encoding the HPV protein antigen and sequences encoding the stress protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions for inducing an immune response, preferably a cellular, in particular a cell-mediated, cytolytic immune response, to human papillomavirus (HPV) protein antigens displayed by HPV or exhibited by infected cells including cells from cervical and other tumors. In one embodiment, compositions comprise an HPV protein antigen joined to a stress protein (or heat shock protein (Hsp)). The HPV protein antigen may be joined to the stress protein by chemical conjugation or noncovalently using linking moieties, or the HPV protein antigen and the stress protein may be joined in a fusion protein containing both HPV protein antigen and stress protein sequences. In another embodiment, compositions comprise an expression vector including, in expressible form, sequences encoding the HPV protein antigen and sequences encoding the stress protein.