Definition

A cancer vaccine comprised of a modified, replication-defective, vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) strain encoding the tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) subtypes E6 and E7, and human interleukin-2 (IL-2), with potential immunostimulating and antineoplastic activities. Vaccination with MVA-HPV16E6/E7-IL2 vaccine TG4001 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. Expression of IL-2 augments the specific CTL response against HPV16 E6- and E7-expressing tumor cells.