The present invention relates to a method and composition for the use of a neoadjuvant to be used in with existing therapies to break host immune tolerance to tumor cells or other types of diseased cells. More precisely the present invention is directed to a vaccine which delivers a polypeptide adjuvant such as HSP72, or a cytokine molecule such as GMCSF, which is encoded in a polynucleotide that will be expressed at high levels within tumor cells and may also bind to tumor cell antigens. The vaccine may be administered alone, or in conjunction with a known tumor antigen or vaccine. After a period of time sufficient for expression of the polynucleotide and for the binding of adjuvant to cancer antigens, the cancer will be treated with conventional therapies, allowing the adjuvant/antigen complex to be released to the interstitial fluids where they will be accessible to antigen presenting cells of the host immune system. The presentation of the cancer antigen complexed with adjuvant as well as cytokine stimulation of the host immune system will cause the host to mount a heightened immune response against all remaining cancer cells or tumors which share these antigens.