Definition

A cancer vaccine consisting of a replication-attenuated arenavirus lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) encoding the inactivated fusion protein of the viral oncoproteins E6 and E7 derived from the human papillomavirus (HPV) serotype 16, with potential immunomodulating and antineoplastic activities. Upon administration, HPV E6/E7-encoding arenavirus vaccine HB-201 induces expression of the E6/E7 proteins and stimulates the host immune system to mount a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response against tumor cells expressing HPV16 E6 and E7, resulting in tumor cell lysis. Oncoproteins E6 and E7 play a key role in the development of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cervical carcinoma.