Immunogenic Polypeptides Encoded by MAGE Minigenes and Uses Thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses immunogenic polypeptides comprising several MAGE-specific antigen epitopes selected from different (i.e. discrete) members of the MAGE protein family, nucleic acids coding therefor, recombinant viruses and/or cells comprising said nucleic acids, and compositions thereof. Methods for eliciting or inducing MAGE-specific immune responses utilizing the aforementioned immunogenic agents are also disclosed.

1 . An immunogenic polypeptide comprising a first MAGE-specific antigen epitope of a member selected from the group consisting of MAGE 1, MAGE 2 and MAGE 3, and a second MAGE-specific antigen epitope of a different member selected from said group. 
     
     
         2 . The polypeptide of  claim 1  wherein the first MAGE-specific antigen epitope is from MAGE 1 and the second MAGE-specific antigen epitope is from MAGE 3. 
     
     
         3 . The polypeptide of  claim 2  wherein the epitope from MAGE 1 has the sequence EADPTGHSY and the epitope of MAGE 3 has the sequence EVDPIGHLY. 
     
     
         4 . The polypeptide of  claim 1  wherein the first MAGE-specific antigen epitope and the second MAGE-specific antigen epitope are adjoined together. 
     
     
         5 . The polypeptide of  claim 1  wherein an amino acid linker sequence joins the first and second MAGE-specific antigen epitope. 
     
     
         6 . The polypeptide of  claim 5  wherein the amino acid linker sequence further comprises a protease cleavage site. 
     
     
         7 . The polypeptide of  claim 1  comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ. ID NO: 1. 
     
     
         8 . The polypeptide of  claim 1  having the amino acid sequence of SEQ. ID NO.: 1. 
     
     
         9 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising the polypeptide of  claim 1 , and a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 9  further comprising an adjuvant. 
     
     
         11 . A nucleic acid encodes the polypeptide of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The nucleic acid of  claim 11  having the sequence of SEQ. ID NO: 2. 
     
     
         14 . The nucleic acid of any one of  claims 11  through  13  wherein the nucleic acid is selected from the group consisting of viral nucleic acid, plasmid, bacterial DNA, naked/free DNA, and RNA. 
     
     
         15 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising the nucleic acid of  claim 11  and a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier. 
     
     
         20 - 32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . A method of inducing an immune response in an animal directed against a member selected from the group consisting of:
 a polypeptide as claimed in any one of  claim 1  through  8 ;   a MAGE-specific antigen epitope of said polypeptide;   a MAGE protein or fragment thereof comprising a MAGE-specific antigen epitope of said polypeptide;   cells expressing said MAGE protein or fragment thereof, polypeptide, MAGE-specific antigen epitope of the polypeptide; and,   cells binding said MAGE protein or fragment thereof, polypeptide, MAGE-specific antigen epitope of the polypeptide;   comprising administering to said animal a recombinant virus according to any one of claims  27  through  30  in an amount sufficient to induce an immune response.   
     
     
         34 - 40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . A method for preparing a polypeptide of  claim 1  comprising expressing a nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide in a host cell and isolating the polypeptide. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41  wherein the polypeptide is expressed using a vector selected from the group consisting of viral nucleic acid, plasmid, bacterial DNA, naked/free DNA, and RNA.