Adeno-associated virus vector for boosting immunogenicity of cells

Abstract

The present invention provides an Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) vector having a foreign DNA coding for a protein that boosts immunogenicity of cells. The invention also provides a vaccine containing such a vector and the use of both.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for treating a tumor patient, said method comprising administering to a tumor patient isolated tumor cells and/or pre-tumor cells that are transduced with an Adeno-Associated Virus vector comprising a foreign DNA coding for a protein that boosts the immunogenicity of a cell.  
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the foreign DNA comprises a gene selected from the group consisting of a gene whose expression product is lacking or is down-regulated in said tumor cells, a gene coding for a co-stimulatory molecule, a gene coding for a secretory immunostimulator, and a gene coding for a tumor-associated antigen and a viral protein.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the Adeno-Associated Virus vector comprises more than one foreign DNAs.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the foreign DNA is controlled by a heterologous constitutive or inducible promoter.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the promoter is a tissue-specific or tumor-specific promoter.  
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein said Adeno-Associated Virus vector is in the form of a vaccine which contains conventional auxiliary agents.  
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the vaccine comprises more than one Adeno-Associated Virus vector and each Adeno-Associated Virus vector codes for a different protein that boosts the immunogenicity of a cell.  
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the vaccine further comprises substances that boost the immunogenicity of a cell.  
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the substances are tumor-specific antigens.  
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the AAV vector is present in freshly isolated tumor cells.