Hepatitis therapeutics

Abstract

The present invention provides methods of treating hepatitis C infections comprising the step of administering a vector construct which directs the expression of at least one immunogenic portion of a hepatitis C antigen, such that an immune response is generated. Also provided are vector constructs which direct the expression of at least one portion of a hepatitis C antigen, as well as recombinant viruses which carry such vector constructs.

1 . A method of treating hepatitis C infections in a warm-blooded animal comprising administering to a warm-blooded animal a vector construct which directs the expression of at least one immunogenic portion of a hepatitis C antigen, such that an immune response is generated.  
     
     
         2 . A method of treating hepatitis C infections, comprising: 
 (a) administering to a warm-blooded animal a vector construct which directs the expression of at least one immunogenic portion of a hepatitis C antigen, such that an immune response is generated; and    (b) administering to the warm-blooded animal an immunomodulatory cofactor.    
     
     
         3 . A method of treating hepatitis C infections in a warm-blooded animal comprising administering to a warm-blooded animal a vector construct which directs the co-expression of at least one immunogenic portion of a hepatitis C antigen and an immunomodulatory cofactor.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 ,  2  or  3  wherein said vector construct expresses the core antigen C.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 ,  2  or  3  wherein said vector construct expresses antigen E2/NS1.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 ,  2  or  3  wherein said vector construct expresses antigen NS2.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 ,  2  or  3  wherein said vector construct expresses antigen NS3.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 ,  2  or  3  wherein said vector construct expresses antigen NS4.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 ,  2  or  3  wherein said vector construct expresses antigen NS5.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 ,  2  or  3  wherein said vector construct is carried by a recombinant retrovirus.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 ,  2  or  3  wherein said vector construct is carried by a recombinant virus selected from the group consisting of poliovirus, rhinovirus, pox virus, canary pox virus, vaccinia virus, influenza virus, adenovirus, parvovirus, adeno-associated virus, herpes virus, SV40, HIV, measles, corona virus and Sindbis virus.  
     
     
         12 . A vector construct which directs the expression of at least one immunogenic portion of a hepatitis C antigen.  
     
     
         13 . A vector construct which directs the co-expression of at least one immunogenic portion of a hepatitis C antigen and of an immunomodulatory cofactor.  
     
     
         14 . A vector construct which directs the co-expression of at least one immunogenic portion of a hepatitis B antigen and at least one immunogenic portion of a hepatitis C antigen.  
     
     
         15 . A recombinant retrovirus carrying a vector construct according to claims  12 ,  13  or  14 .  
     
     
         16 . A recombinant virus carrying a vector construct according to claims  12 ,  13  or  14  said virus selected from the group consisting of poliovirus, rhinovirus, pox virus, canary pox virus, vaccinia virus, influenza virus, adenovirus, parvovirus, adeno-associated virus, herpes virus, SV40, HIV, measles, corona virus and Sindbis virus.  
     
     
         17 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a recombinant retrovirus according to  claim 15  in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.  
     
     
         18 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a recombinant virus according to  claim 16  in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.  
     
     
         19 . A vector construct which directs the expression of an immunogenic portion of the polyprotein antigen.  
     
     
         20 . A vector construct which directs the expression of both an immunogenic portion of the polyprotein antigen and of an immunomodulatory cofactor.  
     
     
         21 . A recombinant retrovirus carrying a vector construct according to claims  19  or  20 .  
     
     
         22 . A recombinant virus carrying a vector construct according to claims  19  or  20 , said virus selected from the group consisting of poliovirus, rhinovirus, pox virus, canary pox virus, vaccinia virus, influenza virus, adenovirus, parvovirus, adeno-associated virus, herpes virus, SV40, HIV, measles, corona virus and Sindbis virus.  
     
     
         23 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a recombinant retrovirus according to  claim 21  in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.  
     
     
         24 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a recombinant virus according to  claim 22  in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.