Novel Peptides to a Melanoma Antigen and Their Use in Diagnostic and Therapeutic Methods
Description of Invention:
Various tumor-associated antigens are recognized by T cells, thereby eliciting an immune response. Among these tumor-associated antigens is gp100, which along with several other tumor antigens identified to date is associated with malignant melanoma. Most of the gp100 peptide epitopes identified to date are HLA-A2 (MHC Class I) restricted.
The current invention embodies the identification of a novel HLA-DRB1*0701 (MHC Class II) restricted epitope of gp100. As 16-28% of the population is HLA-DRB1*0701 positive, this peptide could represent a potential immunotherapeutic vaccine for use against melanoma in a significant percentage of the patient population. In addition, the current invention represents only the second gp100 peptide identified to date that is capable of eliciting a CD4+ helper T cell response. It is believed that administration of a peptide capable of eliciting a CD4+ T cell response may be required in order to upregulate a CD8+ T cell response against a Class I-restricted peptide. The identification of an immunogenic Class II-restricted epitope therefore could be of particular importance not only as an immunotherapeutic vaccine in and of itself, but also for use in a vaccination protocol in combination with an immunogenic Class I-restricted peptide.
Inventors:
P. Hwu (NCI) R. LaPointe (NCI) S.A. Rosenberg (NCI)
Patent Status:
DHHS Reference No. E-086-2001/0 --
U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/314,183 filed 22 Aug 2001
DHHS Reference No. E-086-2001/1 --
PCT Application No. PCT/US02/26957 filed 22 Aug 2002, which published as WO 03/018610 on 22 Feb 2003
U.S. Patent Application No. 10/486,989 filed 14 May 2004
Portfolios: Cancer
Cancer -Diagnostics Cancer -Therapeutics
For Additional Information Please Contact: Michelle A. Booden Ph.D.
NIH Office of Technology Transfer
6011 Executive Blvd, Suite 325
Rockville, MD 20852-3804
Phone: (301)451-7337
Email: boodenm@mail.nih.gov
Fax: (301) 402-0220
