HPV16型E7复制型DNA疫苗诱发的抗肿瘤免疫反应

为了研制有效的疫苗 ,用于HPV16型重度感染和与其感染相关的宫颈癌晚期病人手术后的免疫治疗 ,用复制型DAN疫苗载体 pSCA1,在其CMVIE启动子之下插入修饰的HPV16型E7基因mE7- 3( 2 4G、2 6G、6 7R) ,构建成 pSCA1mE7- 3复制型DNA疫苗。以重组质粒免疫C5 7BL/ 6小鼠 ,检测诱发的特异性CTL活性 ;将免疫后的小鼠用TC - 1肿瘤细胞攻击 ,观察免疫保护效果。实验结果显示 :pSCA1mE7- 3复制型DNA疫苗能诱导小鼠产生针对TC - 1肿瘤细胞的特异性CTL反应 ;复制型DNA疫苗免疫后的小鼠能耐受 1× 10 4 TC - 1细胞的攻击 ,成瘤时间推迟 ,并且成瘤率明显下降 ,部分小鼠得到保护能免受肿瘤攻击。因此pSCA1mE7- 3复制型DNA疫苗可作为HPV16相关肿瘤的癌前病变及中晚期病人术后免疫治疗的候选疫苗。     

Sequential Cisplatin Therapy and Vaccination with HPV16 E6E7L2 Fusion Protein in Saponin Adjuvant GPI-0100 for the Treatment of a Model HPV16+ Cancer

Clinical studies suggest that responses to HPV16 E6E7L2 fusion protein (TA-CIN) vaccination alone are modest, and GPI-0100 is a well-tolerated, potent adjuvant. Here we sought to optimize both the immunogenicity of TA-CIN via formulation with GPI-0100 and treatment of HPV16+ cancer by vaccination after cisplatin chemotherapy. HPV16 neutralizing serum antibody titers, CD4+ T cell proliferative and E6/E7-specific CD8+ T cell responses were significantly enhanced when mice were vaccinated subcutaneously (s.c.) or intramuscularly (i.m.) with TA-CIN formulated with GPI-0100. Vaccination was tested for therapy of mice bearing syngeneic HPV16 E6/E7+ tumors (TC-1) either in the lung or subcutaneously. Mice treated with TA-CIN/GPI-0100 vaccination exhibited robust E7-specific CD8+ T cell responses, which were associated with reduced tumor burden in the lung, whereas mice receiving either component alone were similar to controls. Since vaccination alone was not sufficient for cure, mice bearing s.c. TC-1 tumor were first treated with two doses of cisplatin and then vaccinated. Vaccination with TA-CIN/GPI-0100 i.m. substantially retarded tumor growth and extended survival after cisplatin therapy. Injection of TA-CIN alone, but not GPI-0100, into the tumor (i.t.) was similarly efficacious after cisplatin therapy, but the mice eventually succumbed. However, tumor regression and extended remission was observed in 80% of the mice treated with cisplatin and then intra-tumoral TA-CIN/GPI-0100 vaccination. These mice also exhibited robust E7-specific CD8+ T cell and HPV16 neutralizing antibody responses. Thus formulation of TA-CIN with GPI-0100 and intra-tumoral delivery after cisplatin treatment elicits potent therapeutic responses in a murine model of HPV16+ cancer.     

A DNA Vaccine Encoding a Codon-Optimized Human Papillomavirus Type 16 E6 Gene Enhances CTL Response and Anti-tumor Activity

Summary The HPV oncoproteins E6 and E7 are consistently expressed in HPV-associated cancer cells and are responsible for their malignant transformation. Therefore, HPV E6 and E7 are ideal target antigens for developing vaccines and immunotherapeutic strategies against HPV-associated neoplasms. Recently, it has been demonstrated that codon optimization of the HPV-16 E7 gene resulted in highly efficient translation of E7 and increased the immunogenicity of E7-specific DNA vaccines. Since vaccines targeting E6 also represent an important strategy for controlling HPV-associated lesions, we developed a codon-optimized HPV-16 E6 DNA vaccine (pNGVL4a-E6/opt) and characterized the E6-specific CD8⁺ T cell immune responses as well as the protective and therapeutic anti-tumor effects in vaccinated C57BL/6 mice. Our data indicated that transfection of human embryonic kidney cells (293 cells) with pNGVL4a-E6/opt resulted in highly efficient translation of E6. In addition, vaccination with pNGVL4a-E6/opt significantly enhanced E6-specific CD8⁺ T cell immune responses in C57BL/6 mice. Mice vaccinated with pNGVL4a-E6/opt are able to generate potent protective and therapeutic antitumor effects against challenge with E6-expressing tumor cell line, TC-1. Thus, DNA vaccines encoding a codon-optimized HPV-16 E6 may be a promising strategy for improving the potency of prophylactic and therapeutic HPV vaccines with potential clinical implications.     

Fusion of CTLA-4 with HPV16 E7 and E6 Enhanced the Potency of Therapeutic HPV DNA Vaccine

Preventive anti-HPV vaccines are effective against HPV infection but not against existing HPV-associated diseases, including cervical cancer and other malignant diseases. Therefore, the development of therapeutic vaccines is urgently needed. To improve anti-tumor effects of therapeutic vaccine, we fused cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) with HPV16 E7 and E6 as a fusion therapeutic DNA vaccine (pCTLA4-E7E6). pCTLA4-E7E6 induced significantly higher anti-E7E6 specific antibodies and relatively stronger specific CTL responses than the nonfusion DNA vaccine pE7E6 in C57BL/6 mice bearing with TC-1 tumors. pCTLA4-E7E6 showed relatively stronger anti-tumor effects than pE7E6 in therapeutic immunization. These results suggest that fusing CTLA-4 with E7E6 is a useful strategy to develop therapeutic HPV DNA vaccines. In addition, fusing the C-terminal of E7 with the N-terminal of E6 impaired the functions of both E7 and E6.     

Development of a DNA vaccine targeting human papillomavirus type 16 oncoprotein E6

Human papillomavirus (HPV), particularly type 16 (HPV-16), is present in more than 99% of cervical cancers. The HPV oncoproteins E6 and E7 are constantly expressed and therefore represent ideal targets for HPV vaccine development. We previously developed DNA vaccines encoding calreticulin (CRT) linked to HPV-16 E7 and generated potent E7-specific CD8(+) T-cell immune responses and antitumor effects against an E7-expressing tumor. Since vaccines targeting E6 also represent an important strategy for controlling HPV-associated lesions, we developed a DNA vaccine encoding CRT linked to E6 (CRT/E6). Our results indicated that the CRT/E6 DNA vaccine, but not a wild-type E6 DNA vaccine, generated significant E6-specific CD8(+) T-cell immune responses in vaccinated mice. Mapping of the immunodominant epitope of E6 revealed that an E6 peptide comprising amino acids (aa) 48 to 57 (E6 aa48-57), presented by H-2K(b), is the optimal peptide and that the region of E6 comprising aa 50 to 57 represents the minimal core sequence required for activating E6-specific CD8(+) T lymphocytes. We also demonstrated that E6 aa48-57 contains cytotoxic T-lymphocyte epitopes naturally presented by E6-expressing TC-1 cells. Vaccination with a CRT/E6 but not a CRT/mtE6 (lacking aa 50 to 57 of E6) DNA vaccine could protect vaccinated mice from challenge with E6-expressing TC-1 tumors. Thus, our data indicate that E6 aa48-57 contains the immunodominant epitope and that a CRT/E6 DNA vaccine may be useful for control of HPV infection and HPV-associated lesions.     

Antitumor effect of therapeutic HPV DNA vaccines with chitosan-based nanodelivery systems

Background

Cervical cancer is the second-most-common cause of malignancies in women worldwide, and the oncogenic activity of the human papilloma virus types (HPV) E7 protein has a crucial role in anogenital tumors. In this study, we have designed a therapeutic vaccine based on chitosan nanodelivery systems to deliver HPV-16 E7 DNA vaccine, considered as a tumor specific antigen for immunotherapy of HPV-associated cervical cancer. We have developed a Nano-chitosan (NCS) as a carrier system for intramuscular administration using a recombinant DNA vaccine expressing HPV-16 E7 (NCS-DNA E7 vaccine). NCS were characterized in vitro for their gene transfection ability.

Results

The transfection of CS-pEGFP NPs was efficient in CHO cells and the expression of green fluorescent proteins was well observed. In addition, NCS-DNA E7 vaccine induced the strongest E7-specific CD8+ T cell and interferon γ responses in C57BL/6 mice. Mice vaccinated with NCS-DNA E7 vaccine were able to generate potent protective and therapeutic antitumor effects against challenge with E7-expressing tumor cell line, TC-1.

Conclusions

The strong therapeutic effect induced by the Chitosan-based nanodelivery suggest that nanoparticles may be an efficient carrier to improve the immunogenicity of DNA vaccination upon intramuscular administration and the platform could be further exploited as a potential cancer vaccine candidate in humans.     

Design,Immune Responses and Anti-Tumor Potential of an HPV16 E6E7 Multi-Epitope Vaccine

Cervical cancer is a common type of cancer among women worldwide and infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPVs) types represents the major risk factor for the etiopathogenesis of the disease. HPV-16 is the most frequently identified HPV type in cervical lesions and expression of E6 and E7 oncoproteins is required for the uncontrolled cellular proliferation. In the present study we report the design and experimental testing of a recombinant multi-epitope protein containing immunogenic epitopes of HPV-16 E6 and E7. Tumor preventive assays, based on the engraftment of TC-1 cells in mice, showed that the E6E7 multi-epitope protein induced a full preventive anti-tumor protection in wild-type mice, as well as in mice deficient in expression of CD4⁺ T cells and TLR4 receptor. Nonetheless, no anti-tumor protection was observed in mice deficient in CD8⁺ T cells. Also, the vaccine promoted high activation of E6/E7-specific T cells and in a therapeutic-approach, E6E7 protein conferred full anti-tumor protection in mice. These results show a potential use of this E6E7 multi-epitope antigen as a new and promising antigen for the development of a therapeutic vaccine against tumors induced by HPV.     

Anti-tumor DNA vaccines based on the expression of human papillomavirus-16 E6/E7 oncoproteins genetically fused with the glycoprotein D from herpes simplex virus-1

DNA vaccines encoding the human papillomavirus type-16 (HPV-16) E6 and E7 oncoproteins genetically fused to the human herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) gD protein were tested in mice for induction of T cell-mediated immunity and protection against tumor cell challenge. Hybrid genes, generated after insertion of E6 or E7-encoding sequences into internal sites of the gD-encoding gene, were transcribed in vitro and the chimeric proteins were expressed at the surface of in vitro-transfected mammalian cells. Female C57BL/6 mice immunized with 4 intramuscular doses (100 microg of DNA/dose) of the DNA vaccines encoding E7 efficiently generated E7-specific CD8(+) T cells. Vaccination of mice with the DNA vaccines encoding the E7, or both E6 and E7, conferred complete protection to challenges from TC-1 tumor cells and partial therapeutic effect (40%) in mice inoculated with TC-1 cells on the same day or 5 days prior to the first vaccine dose.     

Characterization of HPV-16 E6 DNA vaccines employing intracellular targeting and intercellular spreading strategies

Summary Human papillomavirus (HPV) E6 and E7 are consistently expressed and are responsible for the malignant transformation of HPV-associated lesions. Thus, E6 and E7 represent ideal targets for therapeutic HPV vaccine development. We have previously used the gene gun approach to test several intracellular targeting and intercellular spreading strategies targeting HPV-16 E7. These strategies include the use of the sorting signal of lysosome-associated membrane protein (LAMP-1), Mycobacterium tuberculosis heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), calreticulin (CRT) and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) VP22 proteins. All of these strategies have been shown to be capable of enhancing E7-DNA vaccine potency. In the current study, we have characterized DNA vaccines employing these intracellular targeting or intercellular spreading strategies targeting HPV-16 E6 for their ability to generate E6-specific CD8⁺ T cell immune responses and antitumor effects against an E6-expressing tumor cell line, TC-1, in C57BL/6 mice. We found that all the intracellular targeting strategies (CRT, LAMP-1, HSP70) as well as the intercellular spreading strategy (VP22) were able to enhance E6 DNA vaccine potency, although the orientation of HSP70 linked to E6 antigen in the E6 DNA vaccine appears to be important for the HSP70 strategy to work. The enhanced E6-specific CD8⁺ T cell immune response in vaccinated mice also translated into potent antitumor effects against TC-1 tumor cells. Our data indicate that all of the intracellular targeting and intercellular spreading strategies that have been shown to enhance E7 DNA vaccine potency were also able to enhance E6 DNA vaccine potency.     

Engineered Salmonella typhimurium expressing E7 fusion protein, derived from human papillomavirus, inhibits tumor growth in cervical tumor-bearing mice

The tumor-suppressing effects of SipB160/HPV16 E7 fusion protein, derived from human papillomavirus, and expressed in Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium, were evaluated in a cervical cancer model. The expressed E7 protein resulted in efficacious cytotoxicity and tumor growth retardation in TC-1 cervical cancer cells. In addition, in mice bearing TC-1 tumors, live cells of Salmonella expressing HPV16 E7 were administered orally and induced immune responses through interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha cytokine secretion and also suppressed tumor growth (45 %) and prolonged survival (70 %) compared with the control group. These results suggested that the SipB160/HPV16 E7 fusion protein may be a candidate cancer therapeutic agent.     

Intratumoral injection of therapeutic HPV vaccinia vaccine following cisplatin enhances HPV-specific antitumor effects

Despite the conventional treatments of radiation therapy and chemotherapy, the 5-year survival rates for patients with advanced-stage cervical cancers remain low. Cancer immunotherapy has emerged as an alternative, innovative therapy that may improve survival. Here, we utilize a preclinical HPV-16 E6/E7-expressing tumor model, TC-1, and employ the chemotherapeutic agent cisplatin to generate an accumulation of CD11c+ dendritic cells in tumor loci making it an ideal location for the administration of therapeutic vaccines. Following cisplatin treatment, we tested different routes of administration of a therapeutic HPV vaccinia vaccine encoding HPV-16 E7 antigen (CRT/E7-VV). We found that TC-1 tumor-bearing C57BL/6 mice treated with cisplatin and intratumoral injection of CRT/E7-VV significantly increased E7-specific CD8+ T cells in the blood and generated potent local and systemic antitumor immune responses compared to mice receiving cisplatin and CRT/E7-VV intraperitoneally or mice treated with cisplatin alone. We further extended our study using a clinical grade recombinant vaccinia vaccine encoding HPV-16/18 E6/E7 antigens (TA-HPV). We found that intratumoral injection with TA-HPV following cisplatin treatment also led to increased E7-specific CD8+ T cells in the blood as well as significantly decreased tumor size compared to intratumoral injection with wild type vaccinia virus. Our study has strong implications for future clinical translation using intratumoral injection of TA-HPV in conjunction with the current treatment strategies for patients with advanced cervical cancer.     

表达人乳头瘤病毒16型E6/E7融合蛋白的非复制型重组痘苗病毒的构建及免疫效果观察

采用基因工程方法将HPV16E6、E7基因融合后插入痘苗病毒载体,通过同源重组构建表达人乳头瘤病毒16型E6/E7融合蛋白的非复制型重组痘苗病毒疫苗,用C57BL/6小鼠观察其免疫原性和抗肿瘤移植情况。测序结果表明融合的HPV16E6、E7基因序列与设计相符;构建的非复制型重组痘苗病毒经Dot blot鉴定,显示有E6、E7融合基因的插入;Western blot检测表明该重组病毒在鸡胚成纤维细胞中能表达HPV16型E6/E7融合蛋白。动物免疫试验表明,该重组病毒在小鼠体内可诱发E6、E7特异性抗体;被免疫小鼠能抵抗TC-1肿瘤细胞的攻击。此结果为将来进一步研制HPV16、18型联合疫苗打下了基础。     

Synergistic antitumor effect of a human papillomavirus DNA vaccine harboring E6E7 fusion gene and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 gene

Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been identified as the primary etiological factor in cervical cancer as well as in subsets of anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers. The two HPV viral oncoproteins, E6 and E7, are uniquely and consistently expressed in all HPV‐infected cells and are therefore promising targets for therapeutic vaccination. In order to achieve a synergistic antitumor and anti‐angiogenesis effect, we designed and constructed a novel DNA vaccine that can express the HPV 16 E6E7 fusion protein and VEGFR2 in the same reading frame. A series of DNA plasmids encoding E6E7, VEGFR2 and their conjugates were constructed and injected into mice. The resultant humoral and cellular immune responses were detected by ELISA and enzyme‐linked immunospot (ELISPOT), respectively. To evaluate the antitumor efficacy of these plasmids, tumor‐bearing mice expressing the E6E7 fusion protein were constructed. After injection into the tumor‐bearing mouse model, the plasmid harboring the E6E7 fusion gene and VEGFR2 showed stronger inhibition of tumor growth than the plasmid expressing E6E7 or VEGFR2 alone, which indicated that the combination of E6E7 and VEGFR2 could exert a synergistic antitumor effect. These observations emphasize the potential of a synergistic antitumor and anti‐angiogenesis strategy using a DNA vaccine, which could be a promising approach for tumor immunotherapy.     

Immunotherapy of a human papillomavirus type 16 E7-expressing tumor by administration of fusion protein comprised of Mycobacterium bovis BCG Hsp65 and HPV16 E7

Human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) infection has been linked to the development of cervical and anal dysplasia and cancer. One hallmark of persistent infection is the synthesis of the viral E7 protein in cervical epithelial cells. The expression of E7 in dysplastic and transformed cells and its recognition by the immune system as a foreign antigen make it an ideal target for immunotherapy. Utilizing the E7-expressing murine tumor cell line, TC-1, as a model of cervical carcinoma, an immunotherapy based on the administration of an adjuvant-free fusion protein comprised of Mycobacterium bovis BCG Hsp65 linked to HPV16 E7 (HspE7) has been developed. Initial in vitro analyses indicate that immunization with HspE7 results in the induction of a type 1 immune response based on the pattern of secreted cytokines and the presence of cytolytic activity following antigenic recall. It has been previously shown that prophylactic immunization with HspE7 protected mice against challenge with TC-1 cells and that these tumor-free animals are also protected against rechallenge with TC-1 cells. The present report shows that a single therapeutic immunization with HspE7 induces regression of palpable tumors, confers protection against tumor rechallenge, and is associated with long-term survival (>253 days). In vivo studies using mice with targeted mutations in CD8 or MHC class II or depleted of CD8 or CD4 lymphocyte subsets demonstrate that tumor regression following therapeutic HspE7 immunization is CD8 dependent and CD4 independent. These studies extend previous observations on the induction of CTL by Hsp fusion proteins and are consistent with the clinical application of HspE7 as an immunotherapy for human cervical and anal dysplasia and cancer.     

治疗型VP22△-mE6△/mE7重组蛋白疫苗的表达与免疫学初步分析

制备16型人乳头瘤病毒mE6Δ/mE7蛋白与I型人单纯疱疹病毒VP22Δ蛋白的治疗型分子内佐剂融合蛋白疫苗,并检测其免疫原性和抗肿瘤相关生物活性。通过克隆HSV-1 VP22Δ及HPV-16 mE6Δ/mE7基因,构建pET28a-VP22Δ-mE6Δ/mE7原核表达载体。重组质粒在Rosetta（DE3）宿主菌中进行诱导表达,表达蛋白经分离、复性后,通过镍离子亲和层析进行纯化,纯化蛋白经SDS-PAGE、Western blot 鉴定,并免疫BalB/C及C57BL/6小鼠,检测其免疫原性和抗肿瘤活性。结果显示,VP22Δ-mE6Δ/mE7蛋白以包涵体形式表达,分子量约为34kDa,表达量约占菌体总蛋白的45%。该蛋白免疫小鼠后血清特异性IgG、特异性淋巴细胞增殖效果及对TC-1致瘤小鼠的肿瘤治疗效果均高于无佐剂单一重组蛋白疫苗。以上结果说明,所获得的重组融合蛋白具有较好的免疫原性和抗肿瘤活性,为治疗型HPV分子内佐剂疫苗的进一步研究奠定了基础。     

不同佐剂对人乳头瘤病毒16型L2E7E6蛋白免疫效果的影响

目的:研究CpG佐剂、弗氏佐剂、聚肌胞苷酸佐剂及左旋咪唑、西米替丁作为佐剂对人乳头瘤病毒16型L2E7E6融合蛋白在小鼠体内产生的免疫效果的影响。方法:以单独蛋白组、蛋白加各佐剂组分别肌肉注射免疫C57BL/6小鼠,检测不同佐剂诱发小鼠产生的体液免疫和细胞免疫应答水平,并观察其对小鼠肿瘤生长的抑制作用。结果:各免疫组均能检测到高滴度的抗L2、E7、E6蛋白IgG抗体(以IgG1为主),其中弗氏佐剂能显著提高E6蛋白的IgG和IgG1抗体水平和E7蛋白的IgG1抗体水平(P<0.05),CpG佐剂明显提高了E7蛋白的IgG2a抗体水平(P<0.01);而西米替丁佐剂则降低了E7抗原的IgG抗体水平(P<0.05);同时可以检测到CpG佐剂组能诱发小鼠产生针对E7、E6较强的细胞免疫反应,且能抑制70%的荷瘤小鼠肿瘤生长;此外弗氏佐剂与聚肌胞苷酸佐剂可产生较弱的针对E7肽的细胞免疫反应,能延缓荷瘤小鼠肿瘤形成时间,与单纯蛋白组相比差异显著(P<0.05)。结论:CpG佐剂、弗氏佐剂和聚肌胞苷酸佐剂都能提高人乳头瘤病毒16型L2E7E6融合蛋白的细胞免疫反应水平和抑制肿瘤生长能力,其中CpG佐剂效果较好,为促进该蛋白作为疫苗的研发提供了实验依据。     

Therapeutic Efficacy of a VSV-GP-based Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine in a Murine Cancer Model

Human papilloma virus (HPV) infections are associated with almost all cervical cancers and to a lower extend also with anogenital or oropharyngeal cancers. HPV proteins expressed in HPV-associated tumors are attractive antigens for cancer vaccination strategies as self-tolerance, which is associated with most endogenous tumor-associated antigens, does not need to be overcome. In this study, we generated a live attenuated cancer vaccine based on the chimeric vesicular stomatitis virus VSV-GP, which has previously proven to be a potent vaccine vector and oncolytic virus. Genes at an earlier position in the genome more to the 3′ end are expressed stronger compared to genes located further downstream. By inserting an HPV16-derived antigen cassette consisting of E2, E6 and E7 into VSV-GP either at first (HPVp1) or fifth (HPVp5) position in VSV-GP’s genome we aimed to analyze the effect of vaccine antigen position and consequently expression level on viral fitness, immunogenicity, and anti-tumoral efficacy in a syngeneic mouse tumor model. HPVp1 expressed higher amounts of HPV antigens compared to HPVp5 in vitro but had a slightly delayed replication kinetic which overall translated into increased HPV-specific T cell responses upon vaccination of mice. Immunization with both vectors protected mice in prophylactic and in therapeutic TC-1 tumor models with HPVp1 being more effective in the prophylactic setting. Taken together, VSV-GP is a promising candidate as therapeutic HPV vaccine and first position of the vaccine antigen in a VSV-derived vector seems to be superior to fifth position.     

Transforming activity of a novel mutant of HPV16 E6E7 fusion gene

An optimized recombinant HPV16 E6E7 fusion gene(HPV16 ofE6E7)was constructed according to codon usage for mammalian cell expression,and a mutant of HPV16 ofE6E7 fusion gene(HPV16 omfE6E7)was generated by site-directed mutagenesis at L57G,C113R for the E6 protein and C24G,E26G for the E7 protein for HPV16 ofE6E7 [patent pending(CN 101100672)].The HPV16 omfE6E7 gene constructed in this work not only lost the transformation capability to NIH 3T3 cells and tumorigenicity in SCID mice,but also maintained very good stability and antigenicity.These results suggests that the HPV16 omfE6E7 gene should undergo further study for application as a safe antigen-specific therapeutic vaccine for HPV16-associated tumors.     

Recombinant λ-phage nanobioparticles for tumor therapy in mice models

Lambda phages have considerable potential as gene delivery vehicles due to their genetic tractability, low cost, safety and physical characteristics in comparison to other nanocarriers and gene porters. Little is known concerning lambda phage-mediated gene transfer and expression in mammalian hosts. We therefore performed experiments to evaluate lambda-ZAP bacteriophage-mediated gene transfer and expression in vitro. For this purpose, we constructed recombinant λ-phage nanobioparticles containing a mammalian expression cassette encoding enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and E7 gene of human papillomavirus type 16 (λ-HPV-16 E7) using Lambda ZAP- CMV XR vector. Four cell lines (COS-7, CHO, TC-1 and HEK-239) were transduced with the nanobioparticles. We also characterized the therapeutic anti-tumor effects of the recombinant λ-HPV-16 E7 phage in C57BL/6 tumor mice model as a cancer vaccine. Obtained results showed that delivery and expression of these genes in fibroblastic cells (COS-7 and CHO) are more efficient than epithelial cells (TC-1 and HEK-239) using these nanobioparticles. Despite the same phage M.O.I entry, the internalizing titers of COS-7 and CHO cells were more than TC-1 and HEK-293 cells, respectively. Mice vaccinated with λ-HPV-16 E7 are able to generate potent therapeutic antitumor effects against challenge with E7- expressing tumor cell line, TC-1 compared to group treated with the wild phage. The results demonstrated that the recombinant λ-phages, due to their capabilities in transducing mammalian cells, can also be considered in design and construction of novel and safe phage-based nanomedicines.