Method of inducing an immune response using vaccinia virus recombinants

• US 6,475,999 B1
• Filed: 06/19/2000
• Issued: 11/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Thomas Jefferson University (Main Line Health System)
• Original Assignee: Thomas Jefferson University (Main Line Health System)
• Inventors: Lattime, Edmund C., Eisenlohr, Laurence C., Mastrangelo, Michael J., Berd, David
• Primary Examiner(s): WEHBE, ANNE MARIE SABRINA
• Application Number:
  US09/596,716
• Time in Patent Office: 869 Days
• Field of Search: 514/44, 435/320.1, 435/325, 435/455
• US Class Current: 514/44.00R
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 38/193 Colony stimulating factors [CSF]
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 48/00 Medicinal preparations containing genetic material which is inserted into cells of the living body to treat genetic diseases; Gene therapy
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 15/86 Viral vectors
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2710/24143 viral genome or elements thereof as genetic vector
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2710/24171 Demonstrated in vivo effect

Abstract

A method of inducing expression of immune active cytokines in tumors in situ is provided wherein a vaccinia virus vector capable of inducing expression of a selected cytokine is generated and injected into a tumor so that cells of the tumor express the selected cytokine. A method of enhancing immunity in a host by administration of a vaccinia virus vector is also provided. Methods of treating cancer by administration of these vaccinia virus vectors are also provided.

Claims

1. A method of expressing IL-12 in tumors in situ comprising:

a) generating a vaccinia virus vector encoding a gene for interleukin-12 operably linked to transcriptional regulatory elements; and

b) injecting said vaccinia virus into a tumor so that cells of the tumor express IL-12.

2. A method of producing regression of a tumor in a mammal having cancer comprising administering to the tumor in said mammal a vaccinia virus vector encoding a gene for IL-12 operably linked to transcriptional regulatory elements in an amount capable of inducing an immune response to the tumor in the mammal such that the tumor regresses.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the mammal has cancer comprising bladder cancer, head cancer, neck cancer or melanoma.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the mammal has prostate cancer.