Induction of tumor immunity by variants of folate binding protein

Abstract

The present invention is directed to variants of antigens comprising folate binding protein epitopes as a composition associated with providing immunity against a tumor in an individual. The variant is effective in inducing cytotoxic T-lymphocytes but preferably not to the extent that they become sensitive to silencing by elimination, such as by apoptosis, or by anergy, as in unresponsiveness.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one peptide consisting of an amino acid sequence 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, or a combination thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. 
     
     
         24 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 23 , wherein the composition comprises a peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 5. 
     
     
         25 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 23 , wherein the composition comprises an adjuvant. 
     
     
         26 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 24 , wherein the composition comprises an adjuvant. 
     
     
         27 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 23 , wherein the composition is formulated for intradermal, subcutaneous or intravenous administration. 
     
     
         28 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 24 , wherein the composition is formulated for intradermal, subcutaneous or intravenous administration. 
     
     
         29 . A method of inducing immunity against a cancer expressing folate binding protein (SEQ ID NO: 10) in an individual, the method comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one peptide consisting of an amino acid sequence 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, or a combination thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition comprises an adjuvant. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , comprising administering an effective amount of a second pharmaceutical composition comprising a peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 268, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the second pharmaceutical composition comprises an adjuvant. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the second pharmaceutical composition is formulated for intradermal, subcutaneous or intravenous administration. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the cancer is breast cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, renal cancer, melanoma, kidney cancer, prostate cancer, brain cancer, sarcomas, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the cancer is breast cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, renal cancer, melanoma, kidney cancer, prostate cancer, brain cancer, sarcomas, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising administering a booster composition comprising a peptide consisting of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting 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, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising administering a booster composition comprising a peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 268. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising administering a booster composition comprising a peptide consisting of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting 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, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising administering a booster composition comprising a peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 268. 
     
     
         40 . A method of inducing immunity against a cancer expressing folate binding protein (SEQ ID NO: 10) in an individual, the method comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of a first pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one peptide consisting of an amino acid sequence 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, or a combination thereof, a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient and an adjuvant; and a second pharmaceutical composition comprising a peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 268, a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient and an adjuvant. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , further comprising administering a booster composition comprising at least one peptide consisting of an amino acid sequence 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, or a combination thereof, and an adjuvant; or administering a booster composition comprising a peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 268 and an adjuvant.