METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR INDUCING CELL-MEDIATED IMMUNE RESPONSES

摘要

The invention provides methods and compositions for treating a subject having undesired cells, e.g., tumor cells or virally infected cells. The method comprises administering a polynucleotide encoding a variant of an antigen present on the undesired cell ("target cell"), which variant is not secreted by, or expressed on the extracellular side of the cell membrane of, the cell in which it is expressed. The variant is preferably biologically inactive. The invention provides a method for inducing a cell-mediated immune response against the undesired cell without inducing a humoral immune response. In addition, the method is safe, since the absence of a biological activity of the variant prevents the occurrence of deleterious effects in the subject receiving the variant.