MHC peptides and methods of use

Abstract

MHC or HLA Class I peptides and compositions thereof are provided for the specific induction of apoptosis of cancer cells in a patient. Methods of treating cancer cells in patients suffering from cancer employing the MHC or HLA Class I peptides of the invention. Also provided are methods of identifying MHC or HLA Class I peptides and variants thereof capable of killing cancerous cells in vivo in a patient suffering from cancer.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of killing a cancer cell in a patient, comprising administering to said patient an amount of an MHC or HLA Class I peptide sufficient to kill said cancer cell.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said peptide is selected by use of an in vivo or in vitro apoptosis screening assay.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said assay is an in vivo diffusion chamber assay.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the cells used for said assay are cancer cells obtained from said patient.  
     
     
         5 . The method of claims  1 ,  2 ,  3 , or  4 , wherein said MHC or HLA Class I peptide is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 8, SEQ ID NO: 9, SEQ ID NO: 10, SEQ ID NO: 11, SEQ ID NO: 12 and SEQ ID NO: 13.  
     
     
         6 . A composition comprising an MHC or HLA Class I peptide for use in the method of claims  1 ,  2 ,  3  or  4 .  
     
     
         7 . Use of the composition of  claim 6  for the induction of apoptosis in a cancer cell in vivo.  
     
     
         8 . A method of arresting the growth of a cancerous tumor in a patient, comprising administering to said patient an amount of an MHC or HLA Class I peptide sufficient to arrest the growth of said tumor.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said tumor exhibits regression.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said tumor is killed.