Immunization with nonstructural proteins E1 and E2 of cottontail rabbit papillomavirus stimulates regression of virus-induced papillomas

Abstract

Cottontail rabbit papillomavirus is the major animal model for cancer-associated papillomaviruses. Here we show that vaccination with the nonstructural proteins E1 and E2 induces the regression of virus-induced papillomas and that vaccination is equally effective when proteins are given with and without adjuvant. There was no correlation between antibody levels and regression, suggesting that tumor regression may be due to a cell-mediated response.