A new and versatile virosomal antigen delivery system to induce cellular and humoral immune responses.

The purpose of a vaccine is the induction of effective cellular and/or humoral immune responses against antigens. Because defined antigens are often poor immunogens when administered alone, an adjuvant is required to potentiate the immune response. Most of these adjuvants are designed to induce humoral immune responses, including immunopotentiating reconstituted influenza virosomes (IRIVs).

Efficient induction of tumoricidal cytotoxic T lymphocytes by HLA-A0201 restricted, melanoma associated, L(27)Melan-A/MART-1(26-35) peptide encapsulated into virosomes in vitro.

Cancer immunotherapy requires the induction of HLA class I restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) specific for tumor associated antigens (TAA). While a number of TAA have been identified, there is an urgent need for the development of adjuvants capable of stimulating CTL responsiveness. Previously, we reported the capacity of immunopotentiating reconstituted influenza virosomes (IRIV) to enhance CTL responses specific for synthetic peptides simultaneously added to cultures in soluble form.