Description of Invention:
This invention provides immunogenic peptides from the HPV-18E6 protein that comprise class I restricted T cell epitopes and discloses methods of administering these peptides to individuals, and a method for monitoring or evaluating an immune response to HPV with these peptides. The HPV-18E6 peptide cross-reacts immunologically with both HPV type 16 and HPV type 18. HPV 16 and HPV 18 are the most common HPV types involved in cervical cancer, which is the second most common cause of cancer deaths in women worldwide. This invention demonstrates that the HPV-18E6 peptide has a higher affinity for the most common human lymphocyte antigen (HLA), HLA-A2 than the homologous peptide from HPV 16. Thus, this invention provides a potential prophylactic or therapeutic vaccine against cervical cancer caused by HPV16 and 18, and a targeted therapy for cervical cancer and other diseases that are caused by HPV including other genital cancers, head and neck cancers, and upper digestive tract cancers. It could also be potentially used in the treatment of patients presenting with pre-malignant cervical disease, especially in underdeveloped countries with no access to surgical treatment or to completely avoid surgical treatment.
Inventors:
Samir N. Khleif (NCI) David Contois (NCI) Jay Berzofsky (NCI)
Patent Status:
DHHS Reference No. E-126-01/0 filed 23 Mar 2001
For Additional Information Please Contact: Sally Hu PhD MBA
NIH Office of Technology Transfer
6011 Executive Blvd, Suite 325
Rockville, MD 20852-3804
Phone: (301) 435-5606
Email: hus@mail.nih.gov
Fax: (301) 402-0220
