Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte-Inducing Immunogens for Prevention, Treatment and Diagnosis of Cancer

Abstract

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the prevention, treatment, and diagnosis of cancer, especially carcinomas, such as ovarian carcinoma. The invention discloses peptides, polypeptides, and polynucleotides that can be used to stimulate a CTL response against cancer.

1 . A method for eliciting a CTL response against tumor cells presenting at least one of the following epitopic peptides: SEQ ID NO: 1516, 1517, 1519, 1521, 1527, 1528, or 1529 in a subject, comprising administering to said subject a composition comprising
 at least one polypeptide comprising an epitopic peptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1516, 1517, 1519, 1521, 1527, 1528, and 1529 in an amount sufficient to induce a CTL response to said tumor cells; or   at least one polypeptide comprising an epitopic peptide having no more than one amino acid difference from an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1516, 1517, 1519, 1521, 1527, 1528, and 1529 in an amount sufficient to induce a CTL response to said tumor cells.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said amino acid difference is the result of a conservative amino acid substitution. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said amino acid difference is the result of a substitution of one hydrophobic amino acid with another hydrophobic amino acid. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said amino acid difference is the result of an addition or deletion of one amino acid to or from said epitopic peptide. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said composition further comprises an adjuvant. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said adjuvant is selected from the group consisting of complete Freund's adjuvant, incomplete Freund's adjuvant, Montanide ISA-51, LAG-3, aluminum phosphate, aluminum hydroxide, alum, and saponin. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said composition further comprises a cytokine. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said cytokine is GM-CSF. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said composition further comprises a vehicle. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , where said vehicle is selected from the group consisting of a liposome, an immunostimulating complex (ISCOM), and slow-releasing particles. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said liposome comprises an emulsion, a foam, a micelle, an insoluble monolayer, a liquid crystal, a phospholipid dispersion, or a lamellar layer. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said polypeptide consists of
 an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1516, 1517, 1519, 1521, 1527, 1528, and 1529; or   an amino acid sequence having no more than one amino acid differences from an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1516, 1517, 1519, 1521, 1527, 1528, and 1529.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said tumor cells are part of a carcinoma. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said cancer is tumor cells are part of an ovarian carcinoma. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said polypeptide comprises at least two epitopic peptides. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said polypeptide comprises at least three epitopic peptides. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said composition comprises
 an epitopic peptide comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1516;   an epitopic peptide comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1517;   an epitopic peptide comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1519;   an epitopic peptide comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1521;   an epitopic peptide comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1527;   an epitopic peptide comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1528; and   an epitopic peptide comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1529.