Retroviral vectors as vaccines and immunotherapeutics

Retroviral vectors have been tested in mice for their ability to induce immune response to the proteins which their genomes encode. Using HIV encoded proteins as a model, potent cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) and antibody responses are seen to these proteins. This apparent efficacy of induction may be due to the relative simplicity of the vector and the manner in which antigens are presented to the immune system. Safety issues and other proposed methods of CTL induction are discussed. The potential application of retroviral vectors as immune stimuli in man seems quite broad (viral diseases and cancer), and the first attempted applications in man are likely to be therapeutic rather than prophylactic.