Xbp1, cd138, and cs1 peptides, pharmaceutical compositions that include the peptides, and methods of using such peptides and compositions

Abstract

The disclosure features, inter alia, immunogenic XBP1-, CD138-, and CS1-derived peptides (and pharmaceutical compositions thereof). The peptides can be used in a variety of methods such as methods for inducing an immune response, methods for producing an antibody, and methods for treating a cancer (e.g., breast cancer, colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, a blood cancer, e.g., leukemia or a plasma cell disorder such as multiple myeloma or Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia). The peptides (and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the peptides) can be used, e.g., in a method of treating a precancerous condition such as smoldering multiple myeloma. The peptides can also be included in MHC molecule multimer compositions and used in, e.g., methods for detecting a T cell in a population of cells.

1 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A method for inducing an immune response in a subject having prostate cancer, the method comprising delivering to the subject a composition comprising a non spliced XBP1 peptide of 35 amino acids or less in length comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:6, a spliced XBP1 peptide of 35 amino acids or less in length and comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:10, and a CD138 peptide of 35 amino acids or less in length and comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:12. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising, after delivering the composition to the subject, determining if an immune response occurred in the subject. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25  or  26 , wherein the subject is a human. 
     
     
         28 - 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 25 , comprising administering the composition in combination with an additional treatment selected from one or more of a chemotherapeutic agent, ionizing radiation, or an immunotherapy agent. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising administering to the subject one or more immune stimulating agents and/or one or more immune modulating agents. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the one or more immune stimulating agents is selected from an adjuvant comprising carboxymethylcellulose, polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid, and poly-L-lysine double-stranded RNA; an adjuvant comprising a water-and-oil emulsion; and an adjuvant comprising a protein. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the one or more immune modulating agents is selected from an antibody which activates the immune system and an adjuvant. 
     
     
         36 . A method for treating a subject having prostate cancer, the method comprising administering to the subject a composition comprising a non spliced XBP1 peptide of 35 amino acids or less in length comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:6, a spliced XBP1 peptide of 35 amino acids or less in length and comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:10, and a CD138 peptide of 35 amino acids or less in length and comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:12. 
     
     
         37 - 79 . (canceled) 
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the composition further comprises a CS-1 peptide of 35 amino acids or less in length comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:16. 
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the adjuvant is a thalidomide derivative. 
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 81 , wherein the adjuvant is lenalidomide. 
     
     
         83 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the subject expresses HLA-A2. 
     
     
         84 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the composition further comprises a CS-1 peptide of 35 amino acids or less in length comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:16. 
     
     
         85 . A method for inducing an immune response in a subject having multiple myeloma, breast cancer, colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, or leukemia, the method comprising delivering to the subject a composition comprising a non spliced XBP1 peptide of 35 amino acids or less in length comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 29, a spliced XBP1 peptide of 35 amino acids or less in length and comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30, and a CD138 peptide of 35 amino acids or less in length and comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31. 
     
     
         86 . The method of  claim 85 , wherein the composition further comprises a CS-1 peptide of 35 amino acids or less in length comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32. 
     
     
         87 . The method of  claim 85 , wherein the multiple myeloma is smoldering multiple myeloma. 
     
     
         88 . The method of  claim 85 , wherein the subject expresses HLA-A24. 
     
     
         89 . A method for treating a subject having multiple myeloma, breast cancer, colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, or leukemia, the method comprising administering to the subject a composition comprising a non spliced XBP1 peptide of 35 amino acids or less in length comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 29, a spliced XBP1 peptide of 35 amino acids or less in length and comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30, and a CD138 peptide of 35 amino acids or less in length and comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31. 
     
     
         90 . The method of  claim 89 , wherein the composition further comprises a CS-1 peptide of 35 amino acids or less in length comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32. 
     
     
         91 . The method of  claim 89 , wherein the subject expresses HLA-A24.