| abstract |
The present invention provides immunogenic and pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment and prevention of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cancers and in particular, cervical cancer. In particular, this invention relates to fusion proteins, and the nucleic acids encoding these fusion proteins, used to generate immune responses against HPV. Specifically, this invention provides for fusions of HPV E6 and E7 in which the E6 and/or E7 contains one or more mutations. These mutations abrogate the transformation activity of these oncogenic proteins and, thus, confer safety to the E6/E7 fusions. In addition, these fusions maintain or increase the immunogenic efficacy of E6 and E7. Any gene or protein delivery method can be used to deliver or package the immunogenic compositions of the present invention. |