Vaccines using nucleic acid-lipid complexes

Abstract

This invention relates to a vaccine and a method for immune activation which is effective for eliciting both a systemic, non-antigen specific immune response and a strong antigen-specific immune response in a mammal. The method is particularly effective for protecting a mammal from a disease including cancer, a disease associated with allergic inflammation, an infectious disease, or a condition associated with a deleterious activity of a self-antigen. Also disclosed are therapeutic compositions useful in such a method.

1 . A composition for the elicitation of a systemic, non-antigen specific immune response in a mammal comprising:
 a. a cationic liposome delivery vehicle; and   b. an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising an isolated bacterially-derived nucleic acid vector without a gene insert, or a fragment thereof;   wherein said composition elicits a systemic, non-antigen-specific immune response in said mammal,   
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said liposome delivery vehicle comprises lipids selected from the group consisting of multilamellar vesicle lipids and extruded lipids. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said liposome delivery vehicle comprises multilamellar vesicle lipids. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said liposome delivery vehicle comprises pairs of lipids selected from the group consisting of DOTMA and cholesterol; DOTAP and cholesterol; DOTIM and cholesterol; and DDAB and cholesterol. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said liposome delivery vehicle comprises DOTAP and cholesterol. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein said excipient comprises a non-ionic diluent. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 7 , wherein said excipient is 5 percent dextrose in water. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said composition has a nucleic acid to lipid ratio of from about 1:1 to about 1:64.