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 is directed to a system for treating individuals at risk of or suffering from breast cancer. The system comprises administering to the individual a recombinant poxvirus, where the poxvirus contains in a foreign nucleic acid encoding at least one breast cancer antigen.

Abstract: Recombinant pox viruses capable of expressing an immunogenic fragment of the MUC1 tumor-associated antigen are disclosed. The recombinant viruses can be used as vaccines to prevent the establishment of or treat tumors or pre-tumorous cells expressing the MUC1 tumor-associated antigen. The vaccines can be provided as an admixture comprising: (1) a recombinant pox virus encoding the immunogenic fragment of the MUC1 tumor-associated antigen, and (2) a recombinant pox virus encoding a T-cell co-stimulatory factor. The vaccine admixture can be used, e.g., to prevent establishment of tumors or pre-tumorous cells expressing the MUC1 tumor-associated antigen. The MUC1 specific cytotoxic T-cells can be isolated and expanded and used in a method for treating a host having a tumor expressing MCU1 positive tumor cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a neoplastic cell transduced by a TRICOM viral vector construct and a genetically altered neoplastic cellular preparation able to overexpress molecule B7.1, intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and leukocyte function-associated antigen-3 (LFA-3) as discrete products and costimulatory molecules. The TRICOM transduced neoplastic cells are useful in-vivo as a prophylactic vaccination to prevent the future generation of a tumor within a living mammalian subject; and also as a therapeutic anti-tumor agent effective against a pre-existing tumor then located at one or more anatomic sites within the body of a living mammalian patient.

Abstract: Recombinant pox viruses capable of expressing cell-encoded, tumor-associated antigens are disclosed. The recombinant viruses are useful for evoking an immune response against the antigen.

Abstract: Recombinant pox viruses capable of expressing an immunogenic fragment of the MUC1 tumor-associated antigen are disclosed. The recombinant viruses can be used as vaccines to prevent the establishment of or treat tumors or pre-tumorous cells expressing the MUC1 tumor-associated antigen. The vaccines can be provided as an admixture comprising: (1) a recombinant pox virus encoding the immunogenic fragment of the MUC1 tumor-associated antigen, and (2) a recombinant pox virus encoding a T-cell co-stimulatory factor. The vaccine admixture can be used, e.g., to prevent establishment of tumors or pre-tumorous cells expressing the MUC1 tumor-associated antigen. The MUC1 specific cytotoxic T-cells can be isolated and expanded and used in a method for treating a host having a tumor expressing MCU1 positive tumor cells.

Abstract: We have discovered that by using a recombinant DNA viral vector, preferably a pox virus vector having at least one insertion site containing a DNA segment encoding the carcinoma self-associated antigen, or a cytotoxic T-cell eliciting epitope thereof, operably linked to a promoter capable of expression in the host, human cytotoxic T-cells specific for the carcinoma self-associated antigens can be produced. The method preferably comprises introducing a sufficient amount of the recombinant pox virus vector into a host to stimulate production of cytotoxic T-cells, and contacting the host with additional antigen at periodic intervals thereafter. The additional antigen may be added by using a second pox virus vector from a different pox genus. In another embodiment, additional antigen is added by contacting the host with antigen. The antigen may be formulated with an adjuvant or in a liposomal formulation. The T-cells can be isolated.

Abstract: We have discovered that by using a recombinant viral vector, preferably a pox virus vector having at least one insertion site containing a DNA segment encoding prostate-specific antigen (PSA), operably linked to a promoter capable of expression in the host, a specific humoral and cellular immune response to PSA can be generated. The method preferably comprises introducing a sufficient amount of the recombinant pox virus vector into a host to stimulate the immune response, and contacting the host with additional PSA at periodic intervals thereafter. The additional PSA may be added by using a second pox virus vector from a different pox genus. In another embodiment, additional PSA can be added by contacting the host with PSA by a variety of other methods, including in one preferred embodiment adding PSA. The PSA may be formulated with an adjuvant or in a liposomal formulation.

Abstract: Recombinant viral vectors which coexpress heterologous polypeptides capable of assembling into defective nonself-propagating viral particles are disclosed. The viral vectors as well as the viral particles can be used as immunogens and for targeted delivery of heterologous gene products and drugs.

Abstract: We have discovered that by using a recombinant DNA viral vector, preferably a pox virus vector having at least one insertion site containing a DNA segment encoding the carcinoma self-associated antigen, or a cytotoxic T-cell eliciting epitope thereof, operably linked to a promoter capable of expression in the host, human cytotoxic T-cells specific for the carcinoma self-associated antigens can be produced. The method preferably comprises introducing a sufficient amount of the recombinant pox virus vector into a host to stimulate production of cytotoxic T-cells, and contacting the host with additional antigen at periodic intervals thereafter. The additional antigen may be added by using a second pox virus vector from a different pox genus. In another embodiment, additional antigen is added by contacting the host with antigen. The antigen may be formulated with an adjuvant or in a liposomal formulation. The T-cells can be isolated.

Abstract: Empty viral capsids, particularly animal parvoviral empty capsids, induce protective antibody response against the virus. The empty viral capsids are obtained by recombinant DNA techniques. Expression vectors are constructed containing structural genes encoding capsid proteins in self assembling form. Eukaryotic transfectants express self-assembled empty viral capsids which can be used to vaccinate against the virus or antigenically related species of the virus.

Abstract: The invention pertains to self-assembled replication defective hybrid virus-like particles having capsid and membrane glycoproteins from at least two different virus types and method of making same. Recombinant viral vectors as well as the viral particles can be used as immunogens and drug delivery vehicles.

Abstract: Recombinant avipox viral vectors which express heterologous polypeptides capable of assembling into defective nonself-propagating viral particles are disclosed. The recombinant avipox viruses can be used to produce significant amounts of the heterologous polypeptides in avian or non-avian cells. Preferably, the recombinant avipox virus is a fowlpox virus. The viral particles can also be used as immunogens and for targeted delivery of heterologous gene products and drugs.

Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant DNA viral vectors which co-express lentivirus genes encoding structural and enzymatic polypeptides capable of assembling into defective nonself-propagating viral particles. The viral DNA vectors as well as the viral particles can be used as immunogens and for targeted delivery of heterologous gene products and genes.

Abstract: Recombinant viral vectors which coexpress heterologous polypeptides capable of assembling into defective non-self-propagating lentiviral particles are disclosed. The viral vectors as well as the viral particles can be used as immunogens and for targeted delivery of heterologous gene products and drugs.

Abstract: The ability of viruses to undergo recombination within tandemly arranged homologous sequences can be utilized to generate chimeric genes and proteins. Tandemly arranged homologous sequences will rapidly degenerate in a random fashion to yield a single copy comprised of portions of both original sequences. Therefore, a recombinant virus which contains two related but non-identical genes in tandem array yields a population of recombinant viruses which contain a spectrum of hybrid sequences derived from recombination between the original genes. The viruses, therefore, contain hybrid DNA sequences that encode proteins with new epitopes or different combinations of epitopes. Vaccines are derived which may afford protection against a broad spectrum of antigen types.

Abstract: We have discovered that using non-integrative viral vectors having low replicative efficiency for insertion of a gene into a cell such as a lymphocyte or a tumor cell is a preferred system for transforming such cells for use in somatic cell therapy or gene therapy. These vectors are preferably cytoplasmic viral vectors, as opposed to nuclear viral vectors. Preferred cytoplasmic vectors include DNA viruses such as pox viruses and iridoviruses and RNA viruses such as picornavirus, calicivirus and togavirus. More preferably the virus used will not be capable of sustained replication in the target cell. For example, a preferred pox virus for human cells will be an avipox, or suipox in contrast to an orthopox virus such as vaccinia.

Abstract: Recombinant avipox viral vectors which express heterologous polypeptides capable of assembling into defective nonself-propagating viral particles are disclosed. The recombinant avipox viruses can be used to produce significant amounts of the heterologous polypeptides in avian or non-avian cells. Preferably, the recombinant avipox virus is a fowlpox virus. The viral particles can also be used as immunogens and for targeted delivery of heterologous gene products and drugs.

Abstract: The invention pertains to self-assembled replication defective hybrid virus-like particles having capsid and membrane glycoproteins from at least two different virus types and method of making same. Recombinant viral vectors as well as the viral particles can be used as immunogens and drug delivery vehicles.

Abstract: Monovalent and multivalent recombinant pox viruses which express immunogenic proteins of pseudorabies viruses are provided for use as live vaccines against pseudorabies virus. DNA vectors for recombination with pox virus to introduce one or more genes into a pox viral genome are also provided.