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Protection of cottontop tamarins against Epstein–Barr virus-induced malignant lymphoma by a prototype subunit vaccine

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Abstract

Epstein–Barr (EB) virus is one of the five herpesviruses of man. Strong links between this agent and the chain of events causing two human cancers, endemic Burkitt's lymphoma and undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma, have long been evident (reviewed in ref. 1). Because of this, and because of the very high incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in certain large populations2, it was suggested in 1976 that a vaccine should be developed against EB virus to prevent infection and thereby reduce tumour incidence amongst those at risk3. The virus-determined membrane antigen (MA) was proposed as immunogen3 because it was known to elicit naturally occurring virus-neutralizing antibodies in man4–7 and because analogous antigens had been shown to act as effective experimental vaccines for preventing the herpesvirus-induced lymphomas of Marek's disease in chickens8,9. Progress has been achieved in defining, quantifying and preparing MA molecules, and in enhancing their immunogenicity10; a sensitive assay for antibodies to MA has been elaborated11. Here we report that isolated cell membranes expressing MA, or purified MA glycoprotein of relative molecular mass (Mr) 340,000 (gp340), have been used to vaccinate cottontop tamarins (Saguinus oedipus oedipus), and that animals receiving either preparation were protected against the effects of a 100% tumour-inducing challenge dose of EB virus.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, University of Bristol Medical School, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 ITD, UK

    M. A. Epstein, A. J. Morgan, S. Finerty, B. J. Randle & J. K. Kirkwood

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  1. M. A. Epstein
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  2. A. J. Morgan
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  3. S. Finerty
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  4. B. J. Randle
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  5. J. K. Kirkwood
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Epstein, M., Morgan, A., Finerty, S. et al. Protection of cottontop tamarins against Epstein–Barr virus-induced malignant lymphoma by a prototype subunit vaccine. Nature 318, 287–289 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1038/318287a0

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