European (euro) network for development of novel safe vaccines based on new generation amplicons (amp) and other defective hsv-1 derived vectors as foreign antigen delivery systems.

Objective

Seven European laboratories have associated to evaluate the potential of defective HSV vectors, including helper-free HSV amplicons, as vaccine for the delivery of foreign antigens. The model antigens will be derived from human viruses of high public health concern, such as HCV, HIV-1 and HPV-16, each causing significant morbidity and mortality and substantial economic burden. No effective vaccines are available to prevent or treat these viral infections. To this end we plan to determine the conditions required to optimise delivery, expression and presentation of foreign antigens, including the in vivo synthesis of empty virus-like HCV and HPV-16 particles. Significant innovations will be the use of a unique in its nature vector (the amplicon), never used before, as vaccine vector and the attempt to manipulate the immune response by attracting monocytes to sites of infection and inducing their differentiation into dendritic cells.

Programme(s)

• FP5-LIFE QUALITY - Specific Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Quality of life and management of living resources", 1998-2002

Topic(s)

• 1.1.1.-2. - Key action Control of Infectious Diseases

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

UNIVERSITE CLAUDE BERNARD LYON 1

Address

43,Boulevard Du 11 Novembre 1918, 43
69622 Villeurbanne
France

Participants (5)

GERMAN CANCER RESEARCH CENTER

Germany

Address

242,Im Neuenheimer Feld 242
69120 Heidelberg

HELLENIC PASTEUR INSTITUTE

Greece

Address

127,Vassilissis Sofias Avenue 127
11521 Athens

LUDWIG-MAXIMILIANS UNIVERSITY OF MUNICH

Germany

Address

Geschwister-scholl-platz 1
80539 Muenchen

THE CHANCELLOR, MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD

United Kingdom

Address

John Radcliffe Hospital
OX3 9DU Oxford

UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI FERRARA

Italy

Address

Via Luigi Borsari 46
44100 Ferrara