|
Novel vaccines for the prevention of human
papilloma virus associated diseases in Africa
|
Cancer
Association of South Africa (CANSA) |
|
Proposal number: |
41224 |
|
Focal area: |
Biotechnology |
|
Total funding: |
R 6,753,000 |
|
Funding year 1: |
R 2,243,000 |
|
Funding year 2: |
R 2,085,000 |
|
Funding year 3: |
R 2,425,000 |
|
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually
transmitted virus. As specific types of human papillomavirus (HPV)
are known to play a causal role in cervical cancer, a small
percentage of women infected with the virus will go on to develop
cervical cancer. Cancer of the cervix is presently the most common
cancer affecting South African women, and it is evident that we
are facing an epidemic of this disease, particularly in young
black women. A successful vaccine to prevent disease caused by HPV
would significantly reduce the incidence of cervical cancer. This
consortium brings together various experts in South Africa to
research, develop and test candidate vaccines against HPV. Two
novel strategies will be investigated for the construction of
novel HPV candidate vaccines. The first strategy is to genetically
engineer BCG, the tuberculosis vaccine, to express HPV proteins.
The second is to make HPV candidate vaccines in plants, either as
edible vaccines, or by utilizing plant expression systems for
cheap vaccine production. The most promising candidate vaccine
will be tested in phase one trials at the end of the third year of
the project. |
|
Project Coordinator: |
Prof Basil Bloch, Prof Annalise Williamson
Phone: +27 (0)23 614 2363, +27 (0)21 685 5505
Email: bbloch@lando.co.za,
annalise@curie.uct.ac.za,
annalise@medmicro.uct.ac.za |
Public reports / Newsletters:
| Back
to projects table | Top of
page |
|
|