DNA vaccination against hepatitis C.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major health problem worldwide, and often causes cirrhosis and liver cancer. Current therapy for hepatitis C is expensive and generally effective in less than 50% of cases. This review illustrates advances in the field of DNA vaccination against HCV by describing the most significant recent studies. Data obtained after immunization of different animal models with naked or formulated plasmid DNA encoding HCV structural and non-structural proteins will be analyzed. Encouraging results based on the co-expression of DNA vaccines with cytokines and DNA prime/recombinant live vectors or protein/boost regimens will also be discussed. Immunogenicity enhancement should lead to clinical trials and, hopefully, registration of DNA vaccines for the treatment of HCV infection.