IN THIS ISSUE
Abstract
Multitype L2 Fusion Protein Vaccines for HPV Current vaccines for human papillomavirus (HPV) are based on viral capsid L1 proteins and are HPV type-restricted. To determine whether L2 capsid proteins, which induce antibodies that neutralize several HPV types, would be good candidates for broad spectrum HPV vaccines, Jagu et al. (p. 782) vaccinated mice and rabbits with various HPV-16 L2 polypeptides and fusion proteins comprising L2 protective epitopes derived from several medically relevant HPV genotypes in various adjuvants or with a negative control. Both mice and rabbits vaccinated with concatenated multitype L2 fusion protein vaccines generated neutralizing antibody responses to all HPV types tested. In addition, the mice were protected from challenge with HPV-16 pseudovirus 4 months following this vaccination. The authors conclude that multitype L2 proteins have potential as broad spectrum human papillomavirus vaccines. In an accompanying editorial, Bosch (p. 771) discusses the current evidence regarding human papillomavirus vaccines and the prevention of cervical cancer. The editorialist encourages the initiation of phase I clinical trials with L2-based multitype vaccines. He also outlines the implications of broad-spectrum HPV vaccines for the cost of vaccine production, cervical cancer screening requirements, and the timing of vaccination. CIP2A expression shortened the