Vaccinia Virus Study

**Semantic type:** Research Activity

**Definition:** Clinical Vaccinia Virus Studies employ vaccinia virus as an attenuated agent or as a vector for gene transfer. In attenuated form, Vaccinia virus can be used for protection against smallpox virus (variola) and is a highly effective immunizing agent. When genetically altered to contain human genes, Vaccinia virus can be used in cancer immunotherapy to induce immune protection against some forms of cancers. (NCI04)