Recombinant BCG Vaccine

**Semantic type:** Bacterium|Immunologic Factor|Pharmacologic Substance

**Definition:** A vaccine containing a recombinant form of bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), an attenuated strain of Mycobacterium bovis, with non-specific immunoadjuvant and immunotherapeutic activities. Although the mechanism of its anti-tumor activity is unclear, immunization with rBCG vaccine likely activates a T helper 1 (Th1) cytokine response that includes the induction of interferon. Vaccination with rBCG vaccine may be immunoprotective against infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

**Synonyms:** - Recombinant BCG - Recombinant Bacillus Calmette Guerin Vaccine - Recombinant Mycobacterium bovis BCG - rBCG - rBCG Vaccine