Tumor Antigens BFA5 for Prevention and/or Treatment of Cancer

Abstract

The present invention relates to a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide and the use of the nucleic acid or polypeptide in preventing and/or treating cancer. In particular, the invention relates to improved vectors for the insertion and expression of foreign genes encoding tumor antigens for use in immunotherapeutic treatment of cancer.

1 - 63 . (canceled) 
     
     
         64 . An expression vector comprising the nucleic acid sequence as illustrated in
 SEQ ID NO.: 5 or a fragment thereof.   
     
     
         65 . The expression vector of  claim 64  wherein the vector is a plasmid or a viral vector. 
     
     
         66 . The expression vector of  claim 65  wherein the viral vector is selected from the group consisting of poxvirus, adenovirus, retrovirus, herpesvirus, and adeno-associated virus. 
     
     
         67 . The expression vector of  claim 66  wherein the viral vector is a poxvirus selected from the group consisting of vaccinia, NYVAC, avipox, canarypox, ALVAC, ALVAC(2), fowlpox, and TROVAC. 
     
     
         68 . The expression vector of  claim 66  wherein the viral vector is a poxvirus selected from the group consisting of NYVAC, ALVAC, and ALVAC(2). 
     
     
         69 . The expression vector of claim  1  further comprising at least one additional tumor-associated antigen. 
     
     
         70 . An isolated peptide derived from BFA5 as shown in Table X or XI. 
     
     
         71 . A method for immunizing a host against the tumor antigen BFA5 comprising administering to the patient a peptide of  claim 74 , either alone or in combination with another agent, where the individual components of the combination are administered simultaneously or separately from one another. 
     
     
         72 . An expression vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 6 or a fragment thereof. 
     
     
         73 . A composition comprising an expression vector of claim  1  and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         74 . A composition comprising an expression vector of  claim 76  and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         75 . An antibody having the ability to bind the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 6 or a fragment thereof. 
     
     
         76 . The antibody of  claim 79  wherein the fragment is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO.:7, SEQ ID NO.:8, SEQ ID NO.:9, SEQ ID NO.:11, SEQ ID NO.:12, SEQ ID NO.:21, SEQ ID NO.:24, SEQ ID NO.:29, SEQ ID NO.:30, SEQ ID NO.:32, SEQ ID NO.:34, SEQ ID NO.:37, SEQ ID NO.:38, SEQ ID NO.:40, SEQ ID NO.:49, SEQ ID NO.:51, SEQ ID NO.:54, SEQ ID NO.:57, SEQ ID NO.:59, SEQ ID NO.:61, SEQ ID NO.:63, SEQ ID NO.:67, SEQ ID NO.:70, SEQ ID NO.:72, SEQ ID NO.:74, SEQ ID NO.:77, SEQ ID NO.:78, SEQ ID NO.:81, SEQ ID NO.:84, and SEQ ID NO.:85. 
     
     
         77 . A composition comprising an antibody of  claim 79  and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         78 . A composition comprising an antibody of  claim 80  and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         79 . An isolated peptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO.:8, SEQ ID NO.:9, SEQ ID NO.:11, and SEQ ID NO.:12. 
     
     
         80 . A composition comprising an isolated peptide of  claim 79  and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         81 . A method for inducing an immune response against the tumor antigen BFA5 (SEQ ID NO.: 6) in a host comprising administering to the host the isolated peptide of  claim 79 . 
     
     
         82 . A method for inducing an immune response against the tumor antigen BFA5 (SEQ ID NO.: 6) in a host comprising administering to the host the composition of  claim 79 .