This document describes compositions and methods for inducing an immune response
(e.g., a cellular response such as a cell-mediated cytolytic immune response) to
a human papillomavirus (HPV) antigen, which can be displayed by HPV or exhibited
by infected cells (e.g., cells from cervical and other tumors). The HPV protein
can be joined to a stress protein by chemical conjugation or noncovalently using
linking moieties, or by fusion (e.g., a recombinant fusion protein). Also described
are expression vectors containing sequences encoding HPV antigens and stress proteins,
which can be introduced into cells of a subject or cells ex vivo. Also described
are compositions that include a stress protein linked to an HPV antigen and another
pharmacologically acceptable component and stress proteinHPV antigen fusions
and conjugates. These compositions can be used to induce or enhance an immune response
against HPV and cells that exhibit HPV antigens, including HPV-associated tumors.
