Antigen delivery compositions and methods of use

1. A method of inducing an immune response in a subject comprising administering to the subject an antigen/lipid complex comprising an antigen and a cationic lipid selected from the group consisting of 1,2-myristoyl-3-trimethylammonium propane (DMTAP), 1,2-distearoyl-3-trimethylammonium propane (DSTAP), 1,2-palmitoyl-3-trimethylammonium propane (DPTAP), 1,2-oleoyl-3-trimethylammonium propane (DOTAP), 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-ethylphosphocholine (DPEPC), 1,2-distearoyl-sn glycerol-3-ethylphosphocholine (DSEPC), 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-ethylphophocholine (DMEPC), 1,2-dilauroyl-sn-glycero-3-ethylphosphocholine (DLEPC), 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-ethylphosphocholine (DOEPC), O,O′-dimyristyl-N-lysyl-aspartate (DMKE), O,O′-dimyristyl-N-lysyl-glutamate (DMKD), 2,3-dioleyloxy-N-[2(sperminecarboxamido)ethyl]-N,N-dimethyl-1-propanaminium trifluoracetate (DOSPA), N-[1-(2,3-dioleyloxy)propyl]-n,n,n-trimethylammonium chloride (DOTMA) and combinations thereof to form an antigen/lipid complex to induce an immune response in the subject.

2. A method for stimulating an immune response to a tumor in a subject comprising administering to the subject the complex of claim 1 wherein said antigen is a tumor-associated antigen thereby stimulating an immune response to a tumor in the subject.

3. A method for inhibiting the growth of a tumor cell in a subject, said method comprising administering to a subject the complex of claim 1 wherein said antigen is a tumor-associated antigen, or a tumor-associated antigen modified to retain its antigenic activity but to eliminate its tumorigenic activity, thereby preventing or inhibiting the growth of a tumor cell in said subject.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said tumor-associated antigen is an HPV 16 E7 protein or peptide.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said HPV 16 E7 protein or peptide has been modified to retain its antigenic activity but to eliminate its tumorigenic activity.