| abstract |
The present invention relates to combined vaccines against measles and human papilloma virus (HPV). In particular, the invention relates to recombinant measles virus vectors containing heterologous nucleic acid encoding single or several antigens derived from HPV, preferably, the major capside antigen L1, the minor capside antigen L2, the early gene E6 and the early gene E7 oncoproteins of HPV type 16, and optionally of types 18, 6 and 11. In a first embodiment, prophylactic vaccines are generated expressing HPV antigens, preferably L1 and/or L2 such that they induce a potent long-lasting immune response in mammals, preferably humans, to protect against HPV and MV infection. In another embodiment, therapeutic vaccines are generated expressing E6 and E7 proteins, and optionally L1 and L2, such that they induced strong immune responses will resolve persistent HPV infections at early or late stages, including HPV-induced cervical carcinoma. In a preferred embodiment, the combined vaccines are easy to produce on a large scale and can be distributed at low cost. |