A cancer vaccine consisting of a replication-defective recombinant canarypox virus [ALVAC(2)] encoding the cancer-testis antigen NY-ESO and the TRIad of COstimulatory Molecules (B7-1, ICAM-1 and LFA-3; also called TRICOM), with potential immunostimulatory and antineoplastic activities. Upon administration, ALVAC(2)/NY-ESO (M)/TRICOM vaccine may stimulate the host immune system to mount a cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response against NY-ESO-expressing cancer cells, which may result in the inhibition of tumor cell proliferation. NY-ESO-1, a tumor associated antigen (TAA), is found in normal testis and on the surface of various tumor cells, including bladder, breast, hepatocellular, melanoma, and prostate tumor cells. TRICOM may enhance antigen presentation and activate cytotoxic T-cells. In addition, ALVAC(2) encodes the vaccinia virus (vv) E3L ad K3L genes, which may potentiate the translation of the NY-ESO and TRICOM genes.