Method of inducing an immune response using vaccinia virus recombinants

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.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of inducing expression of immune active cytokines in tumors in situ comprising: 
 a) generating a vaccinia virus vector capable of inducing expression of a selected cytokine; and    b) injecting the vaccinia virus vector into a tumor so that cells of the tumor express the selected cytokine.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the vaccinia virus vector is capable of inducing expression of interferon-γ, granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor, interleukin-4, interleukin-5 or interleukin-12.  
     
     
         3 . A method of enhancing immunity in a host comprising: 
 a) generating a vaccinia virus vector capable of inducing expression of a selected cytokine; and    b) injecting the vaccinia virus vector into a host so that cells of the host express the selected cytokine.    
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the vaccinia virus vector further comprises a gene for an immune accessory molecule.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the vaccinia virus vector further comprises a sequence encoding an oligonucleotide which inhibits IL-10 production.  
     
     
         6 . A method of treating cancer comprising administering to an animal suffering from cancer an amount of a vaccinia virus vector capable of inducing an immune response to the cancer in the animal.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the vaccinia virus vector comprises at least one gene for expression of a cytokine.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the vaccinia virus vector comprises at least one gene for expression of interferon-γ, granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor, interleukin-4, interleukin-5 or interleukin-12.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the cancer to be treated comprises bladder cancer, head cancer, neck cancer, melanoma, or other cancers which grow as accessible masses.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the cancer to be treated comprises prostate cancer.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the vaccinia virus vector further comprises a gene for an immune accessory molecule.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the vaccinia virus vector further comprises a sequence encoding an oligonucleotide which inhibits IL-10 production.