Rabbits immunised with recombinant BCG expressing the cottontail rabbit papillomavirus (CRPV) L2E7E2 genes induces regression of established papillomas

We previously demonstrated in a cottontail rabbit papillomavirus (CRPV) challenge model that recombinant Bacille Calmette-Guerin (rBCG) could potentially be used as a prophylactic vaccine vehicle to deliver papillomavirus proteins. In this study we investigated whether regression of CRPV-induced papillomas could be achieved following immunisation of out-bred New Zealand White rabbits with rBCG expressing CRPVL2, CRPVE2, CRPVE7 or CRPVL2E7E2 proteins. Rabbits immunised with rBCG/CRPVL2E7E2 had papillomas that were largely suppressed and were significantly smaller compared to the rBCG negative control group (P ≤ 0.01). In addition, four of the six rabbits immunised with rBCG/CRPVL2E7E2 had papillomas that completely regressed 1.5 weeks post third immunisation. Rabbits immunised with rBCG/CRPVL2, rBCG/CRPVE7, or rBCG/CRPVE2 had papillomas that were significantly smaller than the negative control rabbits (P ≤ 0.05). The findings in this study suggest that BCG could probably be used as a vaccine delivery vehicle for human papillomavirus proteins as a possible therapeutic vaccine.