USE OF RECOMBINANT HEPATITIS B CORE PARTICLES TO DEVELOP VACCINES AGAINST INFECTIOUS PATHOGENS AND MALIGNANCIES

摘要

The present invention relates to methods and compositions for augmenting CD8+ T cell responses to an antigen in a mammal, comprising the use of recombinant hepatitis B core particles (rHEP) to present said antigen. The invention further relates to a method of boosting the rHEP particle-induced CD8+ T cell responses using secondary immunization with a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing the same antigen (rVAC). The methods and compositions of the present invention can be useful for prophylaxis and treatment of various infectious and neoplastic diseases.