JP2014502961A - HLA-binding peptide derived from prostate-related antigen molecule and method of use thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

  Methods and compositions for prostate cancer immunotherapy are disclosed. More specifically, a method of treating a prostate cancer patient is disclosed, comprising administering a composition comprising an HLA-binding peptide derived from a prostate-associated antigen molecule with or without an immune adjuvant.

Description

  Methods and compositions for prostate cancer immunotherapy are disclosed. More specifically, a method of treating a prostate cancer patient is disclosed, comprising administering a composition comprising an HLA-binding peptide derived from a prostate-associated antigen molecule with or without an immune adjuvant.

  Prostate cancer is one of the most frequently occurring malignancies in men, with 346,000 cases reported in Europe in 2006 and approximately 87,000 deaths reported. In US men, prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death. Due to the increased sensitivity of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) monitoring assays, prostate cancer can be discovered earlier in the clinical localization phase, at which stage therapeutic treatments such as surgery and radiation can be administered. However, these patients have an asymptomatic increase in PSA within 10 years with a probability of 10-60%, known as “biochemical recurrence”. Biochemical recurrence often suggests a hidden local recurrence of cancer or the occurrence of metastases that are still undetectable.

  Treatment options in this situation include external radiation therapy and androgen block therapy (also known as hormone removal therapy). However, none of the therapies has proved effective, particularly for prolonging the long-term survival of patients. In addition, both treatments have significant increases in cardiovascular disorders, osteoporosis, weight gain, neurocognitive decline, occurrence of urethral stricture, libido and impotence, risk of osteoporosis-related skeletal calcium salt decline, and risk of pathological fracture And many other side effects. In addition, androgen deficiency allows for the early development of androgen-independent tumor clones, and there is some concern that eventually more rapid long-term tumor progression will occur. Furthermore, the optimal timing of initiating androgen block therapy has been discussed, especially for biochemical recurrence characterized by low PAS values or long mean doubling time (DT). Given these risks, both androgen block therapy and external radiation therapy are questionable for patients with early biochemical recurrence.

  Tumor associated antigen (TAA) has been identified as a possible immunotherapeutic agent for cancer. Many TAAs specific to a variety of different tumors and tissue types have been identified, including those associated with the prostate. Identification of T cells specific for TAA in prostate tumor tissue, tumor draining lymph nodes, and the peripheral blood system of cancer patients, as well as increased specific T cell responses after immunotherapy, are all immune systems using TAA This suggests the possibility that this procedure is useful for the treatment of prostate cancer.

(1) Vaccine therapy with autologous or allogeneic tumor cells; (2) Autologous tumor cells recombined to express granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor; (3) Dendritic cells ex vivo pulsed with HLAI and II binding peptides Various systems for in vivo antigen presentation of prostate specific TAA have been tested in clinical trials, including (4) tumor mRNA transfected dendritic cells; and (5) recombinant vaccine viruses expressing TAA Yes. However, most of these trials are conducted in patients with androgen-resistant prostate cancer. There is little information about vaccine therapy before androgen block therapy in androgen sensitive patients who have undergone biochemical recurrence.

  Therefore, new treatment options are needed for prostate cancer patients, particularly those with early biochemical recurrence.

  The present disclosure relates to compositions for use in immunotherapy and methods of use thereof. In particular, the present disclosure relates to immunotherapy of androgen-sensitive prostate cancer in patients with early biochemical recurrence who have not yet received immunotherapy of cancer, particularly prostate cancer, and more specifically androgen blocking therapy. The present disclosure further relates to compositions of both HLA class I and class II HLA binding peptides, said HLA binding peptides comprising prostate specific antigen, prostate stem cell antigen, prostate specific membrane antigen, survivin, pro Derived from prostate and antigen-associated antigenic molecules such as transient receptor potential-p8 ("TRP-p8").

  In one aspect, the disclosure relates to a composition comprising at least one HLA binding peptide, wherein the HLA binding peptide comprises an epitope derived from a prostate associated antigen molecule.

  In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a composition comprising at least one HLA binding peptide, wherein the HLA binding peptide is prostate specific antigen, prostate stem cell antigen, prostate specific membrane antigen, survivin, prostain, and transgenic. It comprises an epitope derived from a prostate associated antigen molecule selected from the group consisting of receptor potential-p8.

  A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a composition comprising at least two HLA binding peptides, wherein (a) at least one of the at least two HLA binding peptides is an epitope as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 23, or HLA- A peptide consisting of the fusion protein of SEQ ID NO: 23 comprising the 80 N-terminal amino acid of the DR antigen-related invariant chain; (b) at least one of the at least two peptides is SEQ ID NO: 1-11, SEQ ID NO: 13-22 And an epitope selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 24-42.

  Preferably, the composition according to the invention comprises at least two peptides consisting of amino acid sequences according to group b.

  Preferred is a composition according to the invention, said composition comprising at least 2 peptides, preferably at least 4 peptides, more preferably 10 peptides, consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 23; One peptide selected from the group of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9-11, SEQ ID NO: 13, and SEQ ID NO: 14, and SEQ ID NO: 15-22 and SEQ ID NO: 24 At least one peptide selected from the group consisting of ~ 42.

  Also preferred are compositions according to the invention, wherein additional peptides are selected according to the HLA set of the subject to be treated.

  Preferred is a composition according to the present invention, said composition comprising at least four peptides consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, One peptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 9-11, SEQ ID NO: 13, and SEQ ID NO: 14, and at least one peptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 15-22 and SEQ ID NO: 24-42 It becomes.

  Also preferred are compositions according to the invention, wherein at least one of the peptides is a class II peptide.

  Next, another aspect relates to a composition according to the invention, further comprising one immune adjuvant, such as GMCSF and imiquimod, or a mixture of two or three immune adjuvants.

  Preferred is a composition according to the invention, wherein said immune adjuvant comprises a Toll-like receptor agonist, such as, for example, Toll-like receptor 7 agonist.

  Also preferred are compositions according to the invention containing at least one antigen-presenting cell, such as a dendritic cell such as an autologous dendritic cell pulsed and loaded with a peptide.

  Next, another aspect relates to a composition according to the present invention for use in the treatment of prostate cancer.

  Preferred is a composition according to the invention, wherein the prostate cancer is androgen sensitive and the patient has never received androgen block therapy.

  Further preferred is a composition according to the invention, wherein the prostate cancer is androgen insensitive.

  Next, another aspect relates to a method of treating prostate cancer comprising administering to a patient an effective amount of a composition according to the present invention.

  Preferred is a method according to the invention, wherein the prostate cancer is androgen sensitive and the patient has never received androgen block therapy.

  Further preferred is a method according to the invention, wherein the prostate cancer is androgen insensitive.

  In a further aspect, the composition disclosed in the present invention comprises SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NO: 7, 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: 8, SEQ ID NO: 9, SEQ ID NO: 10, SEQ ID NO: 11, SEQ ID NO: 13, SEQ ID NO: 14, or SEQ ID NOs: 15 to 23, or epitopes described in SEQ ID NOs: 25 to 40.

  In a further aspect, the composition comprises at least two HLA binding peptides consisting of epitopes derived from prostate-related antigen molecules, at least one of the at least two HLA binding peptides is an HLA class I peptide, and at least two HLA At least one of the binding peptides is an HLA class II peptide.

  Yet another aspect of the disclosure relates to a composition comprising at least two HLA binding peptides, wherein at least one of the HLA binding peptides is SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, an HLA class I peptide comprising an epitope selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 8, SEQ ID NO: 9, SEQ ID NO: 10, and SEQ ID NO: 11, and at least one of HLA-binding peptides Is an HLA class II peptide consisting of an epitope selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 13 and SEQ ID NO: 14.

  Yet another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a composition comprising at least two HLA binding peptides, wherein (a) at least one of the at least two HLA binding peptides is SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NOs: 15-23, and a sequence A peptide comprising an epitope selected from the group consisting of numbers 25-37, (b) at least one of at least two peptides is SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 1-6, SEQ ID NO: 8-11, sequence A peptide comprising an epitope selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 13, SEQ ID NO: 14, and SEQ ID NOs: 38-42.

  Yet another aspect of the disclosure relates to a composition comprising at least two HLA binding peptides, wherein at least one of the HLA binding peptides is SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, an HLA class I peptide consisting essentially of an epitope selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 8, SEQ ID NO: 9, SEQ ID NO: 10, and SEQ ID NO: 11, At least one is an HLA class II peptide consisting essentially of an epitope selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 13 and SEQ ID NO: 14.

  Yet another aspect of the disclosure relates to a composition comprising at least two HLA binding peptides, wherein at least one of the HLA binding peptides is SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, an HLA class I peptide comprising an epitope selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 8, SEQ ID NO: 9, SEQ ID NO: 10, and SEQ ID NO: 11, and at least one of HLA-binding peptides Is an HLA class II peptide consisting of an epitope selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 13 and SEQ ID NO: 14.

Yet another aspect relates to a composition comprising at least two HLA binding peptides, wherein at least one of the HLA binding peptides is an HLA class I peptide that binds to an allele other than HLA-A ^* 02.

Yet another aspect relates to a composition comprising at least two HLA binding peptides, wherein at least one of the HLA binding peptides is HLA-A ^* 24, HLA-A ^* 11, HLA-B * 41, HLA-B. ^* HLA class I peptide that binds to an allele selected from the group of 51 or HLA-C.

  Yet another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a composition comprising at least 6 HLA binding peptides, wherein (a) the at least one HLA binding peptide comprises an epitope derived from a prostate specific antibody, and (b) at least one The HLA binding peptide comprises an epitope derived from prostate stem cell antigen, (c) at least one HLA binding peptide comprises an epitope derived from prostate specific membrane antigen, and (d) at least one HLA binding peptide is derived from survivin (E) at least one HLA-binding peptide comprises a prostain-derived epitope, and (f) at least one HLA-binding peptide comprises a transient receptor potential-p8-derived epitope.

  Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a composition as described above, wherein the composition comprises at least two peptides consisting of the amino acid sequences set forth in group b).

  Another aspect of the present disclosure includes 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, SEQ ID NO: 9, SEQ ID NO: 10, SEQ ID NO: 11, SEQ ID NO: 13, SEQ ID NO: 14, SEQ ID NO: 15, SEQ ID NO: 16, SEQ ID NO: 17, SEQ ID NO: 18, SEQ ID NO: 19, SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 21, SEQ ID NO: 22, SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 24, Sequence number 25, Sequence number 26, Sequence number 27, Sequence number 28, Sequence number 29, Sequence number 30, Sequence number 31, Sequence number 32, Sequence number 33, Sequence number 34, Sequence number 35, Sequence number 36, Sequence number 37, a composition as described above, comprising the HLA binding peptides set forth in SEQ ID NO: 38, SEQ ID NO: 39, SEQ ID NO: 40, SEQ ID NO: 41, and SEQ ID NO: 42.

  Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a composition as described above, wherein the composition comprises SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NOS: 9-11, SEQ ID NO: 13, and SEQ ID NO: 14. A peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence described in 14, and optionally at least one peptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 15-42.

  Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a composition as described above, wherein the composition comprises SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NOS: 9-11, SEQ ID NO: 13, and SEQ ID NO: Comprising at least two peptides, preferably at least four peptides, more preferably 10 peptides, and at least one peptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 15-42, comprising the amino acid sequence of 14. Become.

  Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a composition as described above, wherein the composition comprises SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NOS: 9-11, SEQ ID NO: 13, and SEQ ID NO: Comprising at least two peptides, preferably at least four peptides, more preferably 10 peptides, and at least one peptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 15-42, comprising the amino acid sequence of 14. The additional peptide is selected according to the HLA set of the subject to be treated.

  Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a composition as described above, wherein the composition is SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9-11, SEQ ID NO: 13, SEQ ID NO: 14, And at least four peptides consisting of the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 15-42.

  A further aspect of the present disclosure relates to any previously described composition, wherein at least one peptide is a class II peptide.

  A further aspect of the present disclosure relates to any of the previously described compositions further comprising, for example, one immune adjuvant, such as GMCSF and imiquimod, or a mixture of two or three immune adjuvants. This immunoadjuvant can be any known immunity, including the toll-like receptor 7 agonist, imiquimod and mucin-1-mRNA / protamine complex, as well as the cytokine granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor ("GM-CSF"). Can be an adjuvant.

  Next, an additional aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of treating prostate cancer comprising administering to a patient any composition disclosed herein with or without an immune adjuvant. The prostate cancer can be androgen sensitive and the patient may not have received androgen block therapy.

  Next, another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of treating prostate cancer, either androgen-sensitive or androgen-insensitive, in a patient, the method comprising any of the compositions described above, with or without an immune adjuvant. Administering to the patient.

Figure 6 shows various epitopes comprising HLA binding peptides in the HLA binding peptide cocktail used in Example 1, including 13 epitopes from prostate-related antigen molecules. The epitopes set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 1-12 are HLA HLA class I epitopes, ie HLA-A ^* 201 restricted epitopes. The epitopes set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 13 and 14 are HLA class II epitopes. Statistical data of DT as a whole study group are shown. DT is expressed in units of months. “N” indicates the number of patients whose statistics are included in each category. “%” Indicates the percentage of patients classified into each category. Since patient 5 had a negative doubling time, this patient doubling time was not included in the calculation of the geometric mean or range at the end of the study. Figure 3 shows DT changes before, during and after treatment of patients with the HLA binding cocktail used in Example 1. A positive value indicates PSA doubling time, meaning that the patient's PSA level is increasing. Negative values are PSA half-life, indicating that the patient's PSA level is decreasing. Figure 2 shows the clinical response to treatment, sorted by type of immune adjuvant. Absence of clinical response is represented by a “−” sign. PSA acceleration following a decrease or stabilization of the PSA intermediate value is represented by a “+/−” sign. The decrease in PSA and the increase in PSADT following an increase in the PSA intermediate value are represented by the “− / +” sign. The increase in PSADT is represented by a “+” sign. FIG. 5 shows PSA levels for patients who have been administered Montanide mixed peptides but have not received adjuvant or have undergone hyperthermia. Figure 3 shows PSA levels for patients receiving a montanide mixed peptide with a mucin-1-mRNA / protamine complex. Figure 3 shows PSA levels for patients receiving Montanaide mixed peptides with hyperthermia. Figure 3 shows PSA levels for patients receiving montanide mixed peptides with GM-CSF. Shows the PSA levels of patients receiving montaniide mixed peptides with imiquimod. The change in PSA value from baseline at day 84 is shown as a percentage. The change in PSA value during vaccination is shown as a percentage. The number of patients with T cells responding to each peptide is shown after vaccination. FIG. 5 shows the specificity of CD4 + T cells from PBMCs of patient numbers 15 and 26 for the PSMA 459-473 epitope and survivin 97-111 epitope. PSMA: -473 epitope; Surv: survivin 97-111 epitope. The peptide activity of clone Pro26_1 C is shown. PMA / ionomycin = antigen-independent non-specific activation; survivin (II): stimulation by survivin 97-111 epitope; PSMA (II): stimulation by PSMA 459-473 epitope. All reactive cells are CD4 positive. The peptide activity of clone Pro15_10 O is shown. PMA / ionomycin = antigen-independent non-specific activation; survivin (II): stimulation by survivin 97-111 epitope; PSMA (II): stimulation by PSMA 459-473 epitope. All reactive cells are CD4 positive. Characterize the response of the CD4 + survivin-specific T cell clone Pro15_ “D” to dendritic cells primed with full-length survivin or survivin 97-111 epitope. As shown by intracellular cytokine staining, immature dendritic cells incubated with recombinant survivin protein or survivin 97-111 epitope are recognized by survivin-specific T cells of vaccinated patients. These results suggest that survivin is naturally processed by proteolytic enzymes in dendritic cells and that the survivin 97-111 epitope is not destroyed by processing. In addition, these CD4 + T cells secrete the cytokines IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-2, have surface expression of CD40 ligand (CD154), and degranulate as shown by surface expression of DC107a. Is multifunctional. Since T cells are not activated by dendritic cells incubated with an irrelevant protein RAP80 or HIV-001 peptide, the above T cell response is antigen specific. Shows the response of the CD4 + survivin specific T cell clone Pro26-10-C to dendritic cells primed with full-length survivin, survivin 97-111 epitope or PSMA 459-473 epitope. Immature dendritic cells incubated with recombinant survivin protein, survivin 97-111 epitope, and PSMA 459-473 epitope are recognized by antigen-specific T cells of vaccinated patients, as shown by intracellular cytokine staining . T cells respond to both survivin and PSMA epitopes, but were more responsive to stimulation by survivin epitopes. These CD4 + T cells secrete the cytokines IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-2, have surface expression of the CD40 ligand (CD154), and degranulate as shown by surface expression of DC107a. Functionality. Since T cells are not activated by dendritic cells incubated with the irrelevant protein RAP80, the above T cell response is antigen specific. CD4 + survivin-specific T cell clone Pro26-10- against dendritic cells primed with full-length PSMA protein, PSMA protein treated with proteolytic enzyme K, or survivin protein treated with proteinase K The response of C is shown. Shows the response of the CD4 + survivin specific T cell clone Pro26-10-C to fixed dendritic cells incubated with full length survivin, survivin 97-111 epitope, full length PSMA, or PSMA 459-473 epitope. As shown by intracellular cytokine staining, fixed dendritic cells incubated with (not full length) survivin 97-111 epitopes are recognized by antigen-specific T cells of vaccinated patients. This confirms that full-length survivin must be cleaved by antigen-presenting cells to be antigenic. Shows the response of the CD4 + PSMA specific T cell clone Pro26-10-D to dendritic cells primed with full length survivin, survivin 97-111 epitope, full length PSMA, or PSMA 459-473 epitope. As shown by intracellular cytokine staining, immature dendritic cells incubated with the PSMA 459-473 epitope are recognized by antigen-specific T cells of the vaccinated patient. These CD4 + T cells secrete the cytokines IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-2, have surface expression of the CD40 ligand (CD154), and degranulate as shown by surface expression of DC107a. Functionality. Since T cells are not activated by dendritic cells incubated with survivin or the survivin 97-111 epitope, the above T cell response is antigen specific. Shows that several tumor cell lines expressing different HLA-DR alleles are recognized by patient-derived PBMC (shown for patients Pro26 and Pro15). The patient develops a polyclonal T cell response after survivin 97-111 vaccination. Survivin 97-111 exhibits promiscuous binding to several HLA class II alleles: DR1; (see also Wang et al.); DQ5 (not tested by Wang et al.); DR11 (see also Wang et al.), Or DRB3 (Wang et al., 2008 table). 1). Functional presentation of survivin 97-111 is possible in the context of several HLA class II molecules (TNF-α production). HLA class I (HLA-A, B, C) also has three functional class II molecules, namely HLA-DQ, HLA-DP, and HLA-DR, which express HLA-DR on the cell surface, as a rule. Different loci can be seen. Class I molecules are composed of heavy chains (-A, -B, -C) and β2-microglobulin, which are invariant in all three genes. Class II molecules, however, are composed of two variable chains (α and β) each. Thus, for class II, highly genetic typing is always complex. In the figure, so-called serotypes based on antibody binding are shown. Thus, for example, “DQ3” comprises different alleles of the α and β chains of HLA-DQ that are usually found together and react with a particular antibody. The cells in the figure are as follows. AL = E418 EBV transformed B cell line (Human Immunology Volume 51, Issue 1, November 1996, Pages 13-22); LAM = B lymphoma cell line (Oncogenomics 19 September 2002, Volume 2165, Volume 65, 6521 HO301 = EBV transformed B cell line (The Journal of Immunology, 1998, 160: 3363-3373); BM15 = Dr11 + APC cell line (The Journal of Immunology, 2004, 173: 1866-1886); MGAR = Homozygous LCL (Gene Therapy (2004) 11, 1408-1415); LG -EBV = autologous B cell line (Cancer Immunity, Vol. 2, p. 9 (19 July 2002)); EMJ = B lymphoblastoid cell line (ECACC NO: 8602103 IHW Number 9097: and Hum Immunol. 1980 Dec; 1 (4): 363-8).

  The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods used in the manipulation of prostate cancer cell immune responses through the use of antigenic peptides specific for prostate tissue and / or prostate tumors.

  The stimulation of the immune response depends on the presence of antigens that are recognized as foreign by the host immune system. Recently, various antigens have been successfully identified that are (1) specifically expressed in prostate tissue or prostate tumor and (2) recognized by T cells. Such antigens, when expressed as a complex of HLA molecules and peptides on antigen presenting cells (APC), can stimulate T cells to induce an antigen-specific T cell response against prostate cancer cells, and ultimately Cause lysis of tumor cells. For example, various epitopes of the protein survivin are recognized as prostate TAA (tumor associated antigen). The discovery and characterization of prostate specific TAA now has the potential to use the host immune system to intervene in tumor growth. Various mechanisms using both humoral and cellular immune systems are currently being investigated in cancer immunotherapy.

  Certain elements of the cellular immune response can specifically recognize and destroy tumor cells. Isolation of CD8 + cytotoxic T cells (CTL) from tumor infiltrating cells or peripheral blood suggests that such cells play an important role in innate immune defense against cancer. Class I molecules (MHC class I molecules) of major histocompatibility complex, usually 8-10 residues peptides derived from defect ribosomal products (DRIP), or proteins present in the cytosol CD8 + T cells recognizing are playing a particularly important role in this response (Schubert U, Anton LC, Gibbs J, Norbury CC, Yewdell JW, Bennink JR, Rapid degradation of a large number of frequencies. Nature 2000; 404 (6779): 770-774)).

  Antigens are presented through one of two major classes of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, MHC class I and MHC class II. In humans, MHC molecules are referred to as human leukocyte antigen (“HLA”) molecules. There are two classes of MHC molecules. MHC class I molecules that can be found in most cells with nuclei present peptides that result primarily from proteolytic cleavage of endogenous proteins, cytoplasmic proteins, or nucleoproteins, DRIPS, larger peptides. However, peptides derived from endosomal compartments or exogenous sources are also often found in MHC class I molecules. This class I non-classical presentation method is referred to as cross presentation in the literature. MHC class II molecules are primarily found in professional antigen presenting cells (APCs) and present primarily peptides of exogenous proteins that are taken up and subsequently processed by APC during the process of endocytosis. For class I, alternative antigen processing modes have been described (eg, autophagy) that cause peptides from endogenous sources to be presented to MHC class II molecules. The complex of peptide and MHC class I molecule is recognized by CD8 + cytotoxic T lymphocytes with appropriate TCR, and the complex of peptide and MHC class II molecule is CD4 positive helper T cell with appropriate TCR Is recognized.

  HLA class I molecules are found in all nucleated cells of the body and function to present cytoplasmic protein fragments to CD8 + cytotoxic T cells (“CTL”). This protein is cleaved within the proteasome, and the resulting peptide is transported from the cytosol into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum and bound to HLA class I molecules. The complex of antigen and HLA class I molecule is then transported to the cell surface where the antigen can be presented to the CTL. Antigen presentation to CTL induces a cascade that ultimately leads to the proliferation of antigen-specific CTL that directly kills cells with antigen / HLA complexes bound to their surface. This process occurs in all nucleated cells, which allows the immune system to accurately monitor individual cells for the presence of foreign, denatured, or embryonic proteins. Peptides presented by HLA class I molecules are typically derived from endogenous intracellular protein molecules, but it is suggested that exogenous antigens taken up by cells by macropinocytosis or phagocytosis can also be presented. ing. Thus, an antigen-specific CTL response can be induced by directly immunizing a host with a peptide containing an HLA class I molecule specific epitope.

  In contrast to structurally expressed HLA class I molecules, HLA class II molecules are found almost exclusively on professional antigen-presenting cells, including macrophages, dendritic cells, and B cells. Professional APCs take up extracellular proteins by professional APCs, are digested in lysosomes, and are bound by HLA class II molecules prior to transfer of the molecules to the cell membrane. HLA class II binding peptides are presented to CD4 + T helper cells (“T helper cells”). T-Herber cells do not have any direct cytotoxic or phagocytic activity and thus do not directly kill infected or dysfunctional host cells, but instead have other effects on infected or dysfunctional cells. It works by inducing or promoting the response of immune system components. As an example, activation of CD4 + T cells can increase local levels of interferon gamma (IFN-γ).

  CD4 + helper T cells play an important role in modulating the effector functions of anti-tumor T cell responses, and for this reason, the identification of TAA-derived CD4 + T cell epitopes is the development of drug products that initiate anti-tumor immune responses. Can be very important to you. It has been shown in mammalian models that local secretion of interferon IFN-γ by T-Herber cells can inhibit tumor formation through suppression of angiogenesis even in the absence of CTL. Qin, Z. and T.A. Blankenstein. CD4 + T-cell--mediate tumor rejection inhibition of angiogenesis that is dependent on IFN gamma receptor expression by non-hematopoiet. Immunity. 2000, 12: 677-686. Furthermore, T helper cells that recognize TAA presented by HLA class II molecules can counter tumor progression by inducing an antibody response (Kennedy, RC, MH Shearer, A. et al. M. Watts, and R.K.Bright.CD4 + T lymphocytes play a critical role in antibacterial production and tenor immunity agile inst.

  In contrast to TAAs that bind to HLA class I molecules, only a few HLA class II binding TAAs have been reported so far (www.cancermunity.org, www.syfpeiti.de). Since constitutive expression of HLA class II molecules is usually restricted to cells of the immune system, it was thought impossible to isolate class II peptides directly from primary tumors. However, a large number of MHC class II epitopes have recently been identified directly from tumors. Furthermore, in tumor patients, it has surprisingly been found that tumor cells express MHC class II molecules (EP 1642905, EP 1760088; Dengjel J, Nastke MD, Gouttefangeas C, Gitsiaudidis G, Schoor O, Altenberend). F, Mueller M, Kraemer B, Missio A, Sauter M, Hennenlotter J, Wernet D, Stenzl A, Ramsense HG, Klingel K, Stevenavid H., Unexpected abd. n Cancer Res.2006; 12: 4163-4170).

  In order for a peptide to elicit a cellular immune response, it must bind to an MHC molecule. This process depends on the specific polymorphism of the allele of the MHC molecule and the amino acid sequence of the peptide. MHC class I-binding peptides are usually 8-10 amino acid residues long and usually contain two conserved residues ("" within the sequence of the peptide that interacts with the corresponding binding groove of the MHC molecule. Anchor "). Thus, each MHC allele has a “binding motif” that determines which peptides can specifically bind to the binding groove (Rammensee HG, Bachmann J, Stevanovic S. MHC ligands and peptide motifs). , Landes Bioscience, USA, 1997).

  In an MHC-dependent immune response, peptides must not only bind to specific MHC molecules expressed by tumor cells, but must also be recognized by T cells that possess specific T cell receptors (TCRs).

  Antigens recognized by tumor-specific T lymphocytes, ie, T lymphocyte epitopes, can be molecules derived from all types of proteins such as enzymes, receptors, transcription factors, and the like. In addition, tumor-associated antigens can also be presented, for example, only in tumor cells, for example as the product of a mutated gene. Another important class of tumor-associated antigens are tissue-specific antigens, such as CT (“cancer testis”) antigens expressed in various types of tumors and healthy testis tissue.

  In recent years, numerous TAAs have been successfully identified and characterized. In addition, much research effort has been expended to identify additional tumor-associated antigens. Some groups of tumor-associated antigens, also referred to in the art as tumor-specific antigens, are tissue specific. Examples include, but are not limited to, tyrosinase for melanoma, PSA and PSMA for prostate cancer, chromosomal cross-over (translocation) such as bcr / abl in lymphoma, and the like. However, many tumor-associated antigens that have been identified occur in many tumor types and actually cause transformation events, such as carcinogenic proteins and / or tumor suppressor genes (tumor suppressor genes such as Linehan WM, Walter MM, Zbar B Some antigens such as The genetic basis of cancer of the kids.J Urol.2003 Dec; 170 (6Pt1): 2163-72 have been studied for kidney cancer) occur in almost all tumor types. For example, normal cellular proteins that control cell proliferation and differentiation such as p53 (an example of a tumor suppressor gene), ras, c-met, myc, pRB, VHL, HER-2 / neu can accumulate mutations, Provides up-regulation of the expression of these gene products and renders them carcinogenic (McCartey et al. Cancer Research, 1998, 15:58 2601-5; Diss et al. Ciba Found. Symp. 1994, 187: 198-211 ). These muteins can also be targets for tumor-specific immune responses in multiple cancer types.

  Efficient or inefficient presentation determines the type and extent of immune response elicited, which can range from immunity to tolerance. In order to stimulate resting, untreated CTL in an antigen-specific manner, the CTL must receive two signals from antigen-presenting cells. The first is through an antigen-specific T cell receptor (TCR) that interacts with the HLA / peptide complex, the second is a costimulator (B7 molecule, ICAM-1, and other adhesion molecules) or It is received via a cytokine (eg IL-2). When T lymphocytes receive only one of these signals, T cell anergy occurs. Tumor cells are poor APCs because they often do not carry costimulatory molecules and only show low expression of HLA class I. Furthermore, cancer cells often express cytokines or surface molecules that suppress the immune response directed at them. Thus, the manner in which TAAs are presented to T cells is quite important for the induction of tumor-specific immune responses.

  In order for a protein to be recognized by CTL as a tumor-specific antigen or a tumor-associated antigen and used in therapy, certain conditions must be met. This antigen must be expressed primarily by tumor cells and is not expressed by normal healthy tissue or is expressed in relatively small amounts. It is further preferred that individual antigens are not only present in certain tumor cells, but are also present in high concentrations (ie, the number of copies of each peptide per cell). Tumor-specific antigens and tumor-associated antigens are often derived from proteins that are directly involved in transformation from normal cells to tumor cells for functions such as cell cycle control and apoptosis. Furthermore, the downstream target of the protein directly responsible for transformation may be up-regulated and therefore indirectly related to the tumor. Such indirect tumor-associated antigens may also be targets for vaccine therapy. In any case, it is essential that the epitope is present in the amino acid sequence of the antigen, because this tumor-associated antigen-derived peptide ("immunogenic peptide") can be produced in vitro or in vivo by T cells. This is to cause a response.

  Essentially any peptide that can bind to an MHC molecule may function as a T cell epitope. In order to elicit an in vitro or in vivo T cell response, the presence of a T cell with a corresponding TCR and the absence of resistance to this particular epitope is a prerequisite. Helper T cells play an important role in integrating CTL effector functions in anti-tumor immunity. The helper T cell epitope that triggers the TH1 type helper T cell response is the effector function of CD8 positive killer T cells, including the damaging function against tumor cells presenting tumor-associated peptide / MHC complexes on the cell surface. Is supported. In this way, the epitope of the tumor-associated helper T cell peptide can function as an active drug component of a vaccine composition that stimulates an anti-tumor immune response, alone or in combination with other key related peptides.

  For most tumors, only a few TAAs are known, or only one specific HLA type is defined. In contrast, a number of prostate-specific and prostate cancer-related antigens and peptides recognized by CTL have been successfully identified. These TAAs, when expressed as a complex of HLA molecules and peptides on antigen-presenting cells, can stimulate T cells to induce antigen-specific CTL.

  From studies of malignant melanoma that have gained the most experience with immunotherapy, immunization with one or two TAAs results in selection of tumor cells, resulting in progression of disease during continued treatment with DC It was shown that. The two immune response types, CD8-dependent and CD4-dependent, cooperate to synergistically contribute to anti-tumor effects, so either by CD8 + CTL (MHC class I molecule) or CD4 positive CTL (MHC class II molecule) Identification and characterization of recognized tumor-associated antigens is important in the development of tumor vaccines.

  However, priming one CTL is usually insufficient to remove all tumor cells. Since tumors are very mutagenic, they can respond rapidly to CTL attacks by changing protein patterns to escape recognition by CTLs. Various specific peptides are used in vaccines to resist tumor evasion mechanisms. In this way, several CTL clones can attack the tumor simultaneously and extensively. This may reduce the chance that the tumor escapes the immune response. This hypothesis was recently confirmed in clinical trials treating patients with end-stage melanoma. With only a few exceptions, patients with at least 3 distinct T-cell responses showed an objective clinical response or stable pathology (Banchereau et al., 2001), but increased survival. Most patients with less than 3 T cell responses were diagnosed with progressive disease.

  Treatment of patients with renal cell carcinoma with vaccines having 13 different peptides showed similar effects (H. Singh-Jasuja, S. Walter, T. Weinschenk, A. Mayer, P. Y. Dietrich, M.). .Staehler, A.Stenzl, S.Stevanovic, H.Rammensee, J.Frisch; Correlation of T-cell response, clinical activity and regulatory T-cell levels in renal cell carcinoma patients treated with IMA901, a novel multi-peptide vaccine; ASCO Meeting 2007 Pos er # 3017; M. Staehler, A. Stenzl, P. Y. Dietrich, T. Eisen, A. Haferkamp, J. Beck, A. Mayer, S. Walter, H. Singh, J. Frisch, C.G. Stief; An open label study to evaluate the safety and immunology of the peptide based cancer vaccine (IMA901, ASCO meeting 2007) 17;

  Thus, an important challenge in the development of tumor vaccines is to identify and characterize not only novel tumor-associated antigens and immunogenic T helper epitopes derived therefrom, but also combinations of different epitopes, so that each patient has multiple epitopes. It is to increase the possibility of reaction.

  In this way, compositions comprising at least one HLA binding peptide comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of an epitope from a prostate-associated antigen molecule are provided.

  As used herein, the term “HLA binding peptide” refers to any peptide capable of binding to a human HLA class I or HLA class II leukocyte antigen molecule.

  As used herein, the term “epitope” refers to an amino acid sequence sufficient to bind a molecule in which it is contained to a human HLA class I or HLA class II leukocyte antigen molecule. Epitope identification methods are well known in the art. These include, but are not limited to: (A) Gene expression analysis using individual patient T cells, van der Bruggen et al. , A gene encoding an antigen recognized by cytolytic T lymphophytes on a human melanoma, Science 1991; 254 (5038): 1643-1647 et al. , Identification of a peptide recognized by five melanoma-specific human cytolytic T cell lines, Science 1994; 264 (5159): 716-719 "Reverse immunological methods" to predict epitopes, Nat. Rev. Cancer 2002; 2 (7): 514-520; Celis et al. , Induction of anti-tumor cytotoxic T lymphocytos in normal humans using primary cultures and synthetic peptide epitopes, Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 1994; 91 (6): 2105-2109.

  As used herein, the term “prostate associated antigen molecule” is intended to refer to any epitope-containing molecule that is specifically expressed in (a) prostate tissue or (b) prostate cancer cells. Exemplary prostate-related antigen molecules include prostate specific antigen, prostate stem cell antigen, prostate specific membrane antigen, survivin, prostain, and transient receptor potential-p8. Typical epitopes derived from these prostate associated antigen molecules are shown in FIG. However, any epitope derived from any prostate associated antigen molecule may be used.

  The HLA-binding peptides disclosed herein can be modified by substitution of one or more residues at different, possibly selective sites within the peptide chain, unless otherwise noted. Such substitutions may be conservative in nature, eg, one amino acid is replaced with an amino acid of similar structure and properties, such as when a hydrophobic amino acid is replaced with another hydrophobic amino acid. Even more conservative is the substitution of amino acids that are the same or similar in size and chemistry, such as when leucine is replaced with isoleucine. In studies of sequence diversity in natural homologous protein families, certain amino acid substitutions are often tolerated more than others, and these are of size, charge, polarity, hydrophobicity between the original amino acid and the substituted amino acid. Often shows similarity and correlation.

  As used herein, a conservative substitution is defined as an exchange within one of the following five groups. Group 1: small aliphatic nonpolar or slightly polar residues (Ala, Ser, Thr, Pro, Gly), Group 2: polar negatively charged residues and their amides (Asp, Asn, Glu, Gln), Group 3: Polar, positively charged residues (His, Ar, Lys), Group 4: Large aliphatic nonpolar residues (Met, Leu, Ile, Val, Cys), Group 5: Large aromatic residues (Phe) , Tyr, Trp).

  Less conservative substitutions may involve the replacement of one amino acid with another amino acid that is similar in character but slightly different in size, such as the replacement of alanine with an isoleucine residue. Very non-conservative substitutions may involve replacing acidic amino acids with amino acids that are polar or even basic. However, chemical effects are not fully predictable, and extreme substitutions may produce unexpected results that would otherwise be unpredictable from simple chemical principles, so such “extreme” substitutions are effective. It can not be rejected as there is no.

  Of course, such substitutions may involve structures other than common L-amino acids. Thus, D-amino acids may replace L-amino acids commonly found in the disclosed antigenic peptides and are intended to be included in the disclosure herein. In addition, amino acids having non-standard R groups (ie, R groups other than those found in the general 20 amino acids of natural proteins) may also be used for substitution purposes to produce immunogens and immunogenic polypeptides according to the present disclosure May be generated.

  If substitution at multiple positions is found to result in a peptide having substantially equivalent or greater antigenic activity as defined below, the combination of these substitutions is tested and the combined substitution is Determine whether it has an additive or synergistic effect on the antigenicity of the peptide. No more than 4 positions at the same time are substituted simultaneously in the peptide.

  In another aspect, a composition comprising at least two HLA binding peptides is provided, wherein at least one of the HLA binding peptides is an HLA class I peptide and at least one of the HLA binding peptides is an HLA class II peptide. .

As used herein, the term “HLA class I peptide” is intended to refer to any polypeptide comprising an epitope capable of binding to or predicted to be capable of binding to a human leukocyte antigen molecule of an HLA class I peptide. By way of example, “HLA class I peptides” include HLA-A2 restricted peptides, which are serotype HLA- with HLA-A ^* 0201, ^* 0202, ^* 0203, ^* 0206, or ^* 0207 α chains. It binds to specific alleles of serotype HLA-A2, including but not limited to A2. Representative “HLA class I peptides” are each an HLA-A2 restricted peptide, 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, SEQ ID NO: 9, SEQ ID NO: 10, and SEQ ID NO: 11.

In the present disclosure, in connection with tumorigenesis, in order to elicit an immune response of human leukocytes, in particular lymphocytes, in particular T lymphocytes, in particular CD4 positive T lymphocytes, in particular a CD4 positive T lymphocyte mediated _TH1 type immune response. Further provided are antigen-derived peptides that are capable of binding to MHC (HLA) class II molecules to be sufficient. As used herein, the term “HLA class II peptide” is intended to refer to any polypeptide that comprises or is predicted to be capable of binding to an HLA class II human leukocyte antigen molecule. Exemplary “HLA class II peptides” are listed in FIG. 1 as SEQ ID NOS: 13 and 14.

Additional peptides of the invention are shown below.

  HLA class II peptides have a “core sequence” with a specific HLA-specific amino acid motif and optionally an N-terminus that does not inhibit the function of the core sequence (ie, considered to be independent of peptide-T cell interaction) and / or Or it is known to be composed of C-terminal extensions. N-terminal and / or C-terminal extensions can be, for example, 1 to 10 amino acids long, respectively. These peptides can be used directly to load HLA class II molecules or the sequences can be cloned into vectors in the manner shown below. Since these peptides form the end product of larger peptide processing in the cell, longer peptides may be used as well. The HLA class II peptides disclosed herein have a molecular weight of less than 100,000 daltons, a molecular weight of less than 50,000 daltons, a molecular weight of less than 10,000 daltons, a molecular weight of less than 5,000 daltons, a molecular weight of less than 2,500 daltons, or a molecular weight Any size including, but not limited to, a size of about 1000 to 2000 Daltons may be used. With regard to the number of amino acid residues, the peptides of the present disclosure are not intended to be excluded by way of example, and may be less than 1000 residues, less than 500 residues, or less than 100 residues.

  Thus, compositions of peptides and variants thereof are disclosed, wherein the total length of the peptide or variant is 8-100, 8-60 amino acids, 8-30, and 8-17, or the peptide or variant is It has 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 amino acids. In another aspect, the peptide has a core sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 13 and 14, having 1-10 extended amino acids at the C-terminus and / or N-terminus, and the total number of these adjacent amino acids Are 1-12, 1-10, 1-8, 1-6, 2-12, 2-10, 2-8, 2-6, 3-12, 3-10, 3-8, 3-6, 4 to 12, 4 to 10, 4 to 8, 4 to 6, 5 to 12, 5 to 10, 5 to 8, 5 to 6, 6 to 12, 6 to 10, 6 to 8, 7 to 12, 7 to If it is 10, 7-8, 8-12, 8-10, 9-12, 9-10, or 10-12 and the peptide can still bind to the HLA molecule in the same way as the peptide, the adjacent amino acid is C Can be distributed in any ratio between the terminus and N-terminus (e.g., all adjacent amino acids can be added to one terminus, or The acid obtained by adding equal at both ends, or may be added in any other ratio) of.

  MHC class I epitopes are usually 8-10 amino acids long, but can also be made by peptide processing of longer peptides or proteins containing the actual epitope. As with MHC class II epitopes, it does not substantially affect peptide presentation to CTLs and does not mask proteolytic cleavage sites necessary to produce the actual epitope mediated by processing of the elongated peptide. Adjacent residues of the extension precursor peptide N and C-terminal upstream and / or downstream of the actual epitope may be selected.

  Thus, in another aspect, the peptide has a core sequence consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-11 and SEQ ID NO: 15-37, with 1-10 extended contiguous amino acids at the C-terminus and / or N-terminus. In a further aspect, the total number of these adjacent amino acids is 1-12, 1-10, 1-8, 1-6, 2-12, 2-10, 2-8, 2-6, 3-12, 3 10, 3-8, 3-6, 4-12, 4-10, 4-8, 4-6, 5-12, 5-10, 5-8, 5-6, 6-12, 6-10, 6-8, 7-12, 7-10, 7-8, 8-12, 8-10, 9-12, 9-10, or 10-12, and the peptide is still SEQ ID NO: 1-12 and If the HLA molecule can be bound in the same manner as the peptide described in any of SEQ ID NOs: 15-40, adjacent amino acids can be distributed at any ratio between the C-terminus and the N-terminus (eg, all adjacent amino acids at one end). Can be added, or amino acids can be added equally at both ends, or added in any other ratio).

  In further aspects of the disclosure, the total length is 8-100 amino acids, 8-60 amino acids, 8-30 amino acids, 8-18 amino acids, or 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 Peptides and variants of MHC class I epitopes having 15, 16 or 17 amino acids are provided.

  Of course, the disclosed peptides or variants are capable of binding to human MHC class I or II molecules. Binding of the peptide or variant to the MHC complex is known to those skilled in the art, such as, for example, the methods described below in the examples of this disclosure or those described in the literature on MHC class II alleles. (E.g., Vogt AB, Kropshofer H, Kalbacher H, Kalbus M, Ramsensee HG, Coligan JE, Martin R; Ligand motifs of HLA-DRB5 * 0101 and DRB1 * moldevelp Immunol.1994; 153 (4): 1665-1673; Malcherek G, Gnau V, Stevanovic S, Ramsense H. Jung G, Melms A; Analysis of allele-specific contact sites of natural HLA-DR17 ligands; J Immunol. 1994; 153 (3): 1141-1149; Noppen C, Spangnoli G, Mazzi B, Bellone M, Dellabona P, Protti MP; Melanocells present a MAGE-3 epitope cit sic cit ss cit cit s cell Antigen DR11; J Exp Med. 1999; 189 (5): 871-876; Hammer J, Gallazzi F, Bono E, Karr RW, Guenot J, Valsasini P, Nagy ZA, Sinaglia Fip; : Correlation with rheumatoid arthritis association ;. J Exp Med. 1995 181 (5): 1847-1855; Topkins SM, Rota PA, Moore JC, Jensen PE; A europorum. of antigen to class II MHC glycoproteins; J Immunol Methods. 1993; 163 (2): 209-216; Boyton RJ, Lohmann T, Londei M, Kalbacher H, Halder T, Frater AJ, Douek DC, Leslie DG, Flavell RA, Altmann DM; Glutamic acid decarboxylase T lymphocyte responses associated with susceptibility or resistance to type I diabetics: analysis in disease discordant human twins, non-obsolete diabetic mike and HLA-DQ transgenic mice; Int Immunol. 1998 (12): 1765-1776). ).

  The additional N and / or C-terminal amino acid sequence does not necessarily form part of the peptide that functions as the actual epitope of the MHC molecule, but nevertheless a peptide according to the present disclosure It may be important to efficiently introduce the protein into the cell. In one embodiment, a peptide of the present disclosure is a fusion protein comprising the 80 N-terminal amino acid of the HLA-DR antigen-related invariant chain (p33, “Ii” in the following), eg, derived from NCBI with GenBank accession number X00497 (Strubin, M., Mach, B. and Long, E.O. The complete sequence of the mRNA for the 9 HLA-DR-associated aliquote aliquote. 872 (1984)).

  In a further aspect, the peptide has a total length of 8-100 amino acids, 8-60 amino acids, 8-30 amino acids, 8-17 amino acids, or 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 Or having 16 amino acids.

  In addition, the peptide or variant may be further modified to improve stability and / or binding to MHC molecules and cause a stronger immune response. Such peptide sequence optimization methods are well known in the art, and include, for example, the introduction of reverse peptide bonds or non-peptide bonds.

  Thus, in another aspect of the present disclosure, one composition is provided wherein at least one peptide or variant comprises a non-peptide bond.

  In reverse peptide bonds, the amino acid residues are not joined by a peptide chain (—CO—NH—), and the peptide bond is reversed. Such retro-inverso peptidomimetics are described, for example, in Meziere et al (1997) J. MoI. Immunol. 159, 3230-3237, and may be made by methods known in the art. In this method, a pseudopeptide is prepared without changing the side chain direction although the backbone is changed. Meziere et al (1997) show that these pseudopeptides are useful for MHC and helper T cell responses. Retro-inverso peptides that contain NH-CO bonds instead of CO-NH peptide bonds are much more resistant to proteolysis.

Non-peptide bond, for _{example, -CH 2 -NH, -CH 2 S} -, - CH 2 CH 2 -, - CH = CH -, - COCH 2 -, - CH (OH) CH 2 -, and -CH ₂ SO-. US Pat. No. 4,897,445 describes a polypeptide chain involving a polypeptide synthesized by standard methods and a non-peptide bond synthesized by the reaction of an amino aldehyde with an amino acid in the presence of NaCNBH _3. A solid phase synthesis method for non-peptide bonds (—CH ₂ —NH) is provided.

  A chemical group may be added to the amino terminus and / or carboxy terminus to synthesize a peptide comprising a sequence of the present disclosure as described above, eg, to improve peptide stability, bioavailability, and / or affinity. Also good. For example, a hydrophobic group such as a carbobenzoxyl group, a decyl group, or a T-butyloxycarbonyl group may be added to the amino terminus of the peptide. Similarly, an acetyl group or 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl group may be placed at the amino terminus of the peptide. Furthermore, for example, a hydrophobic group, t-butyloxycarbonyl group, or amino group may be added to the carboxy terminus of the peptide.

  Furthermore, all peptides of the present disclosure may be synthesized to change their configuration. For example, instead of the normal L isomer, the D isomer of one or more amino acid residues may be used. Still further, at least one of the amino acid residues of the peptides of the present disclosure may be substituted with one of the well-known unnatural amino acid residues. Such modifications may help to increase the stability, bioavailability, and / or binding reaction of the disclosed peptides.

  Similarly, certain peptides may be reacted before and after peptide synthesis to chemically modify the peptides or variants of the present disclosure. Such modifications are well known in the art and are described, for example, in R.C. Lundblad, Chemical Reagents for Protein Modification, 3rd ed. CRC Press, 2005. Chemical modification of amino acids includes modification by acylation, amidation, pyridoxylation of lysine, reductive alkylation, trinitrobenzylation of amino acids with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS), carboxyl group Amido modification and sulfhydryl modification by performic acid oxidation from cysteine to cysteic acid, mercury derivative formation, mixed disulfide formation with other thiol compounds, reaction with maleimide, carboxymethylation with iodoacetic acid or iodoacetamide, and at alkaline pH However, the present invention is not limited to this. In this regard, for more detailed methodologies relating to chemical modification of proteins, those skilled in the art have described Eds. See Chapter 15 of Coligan et al., Current Protocols in Protein Science (John Wiley & Sons NY 1995-2000).

  Successful modification of therapeutic proteins and peptides with PEG is often accompanied by an increase in circulation half-life, whereas cross-linking of proteins with glutaraldehyde, polyethylene glycol diacrylate, and formaldehyde is useful for hydrogel preparation. used. Chemical modification of allergens for immunotherapy is often accomplished by carbamylation with potassium cyanate.

  In general, peptides and variants (containing at least a peptide chain between amino acid residues) are described, for example, in Lubetbal (1981) J. MoI. Org. Chem. 46, 3433 and references therein, for example, may be synthesized using the Fmoc-polyamide mode of solid phase peptide synthesis.

  Purification is any one of recrystallization, size exclusion chromatography, ion exchange chromatography, hydrophobic interaction chromatography and (usually) reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography using gradient separation of acetonitrile / water. , Or a combination thereof.

  Peptide analysis includes thin layer chromatography, electrophoresis, particularly capillary electrophoresis, solid phase extraction (CSPE), reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography, amino acid analysis after acid hydrolysis, and fast atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectrometry, And may be performed using MALDI and ESI-Q-TOF mass spectrometry.

  In a further aspect of the present disclosure, a nucleic acid (eg, a polynucleotide) encoding one of the disclosed peptides or variants is provided. The polynucleotide may be, for example, single-stranded and / or double-stranded DNA, cDNA, PNA, CAN, RNA, a natural nucleotide or a stable nucleotide such as a polynucleotide having a phosphorothioate-binding backbone, or It may be a combination thereof, and may or may not contain introns as long as it encodes a peptide. Of course, only peptides containing natural amino acid residues linked by natural peptide bonds can be encoded by a polynucleotide. In yet a further aspect of the present disclosure, an expression vector capable of expressing a polypeptide according to the present disclosure is provided. Expression vectors for different cell types are well known in the art and can be selected without undue experimentation.

  In general, DNA is inserted into an expression vector such as a plasmid in an orientation suitable for expression and an accurate reading frame. If desired, the DNA may be linked to appropriate transcriptional and translational control regulatory nucleic acid sequences that are recognized by the intended host, although such regulation is generally available in expression vectors. The vector is then introduced into the host by standard methods well known to those skilled in the art.

  In one embodiment, the composition comprises at least two peptides consisting essentially of the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 1-11 and SEQ ID NOs: 13-40.

  In another embodiment, the composition comprises at least two amino acids consisting essentially of the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9-11, and SEQ ID NO: 13-40. Comprising a peptide.

  In another embodiment, the composition comprises at least 4 amino acids consisting essentially of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9-11, and SEQ ID NO: 13-40. Comprising a peptide.

  In another embodiment, the composition comprises 10 amino acids consisting essentially of the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9-11, and SEQ ID NO: 13-40. Comprising a peptide.

In another embodiment, the composition consists essentially of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9-11, SEQ ID NO: 13, and SEQ ID NO: 14. , At least 2 peptides, at least 4 peptides, or at least 10 peptides and BIR-002b FTELTLGEF of SEQ ID NO: 38 derived from survivin HLA-A1, BIR-002c LMLGEFLKL of SEQ ID NO: 39 derived from survivin HLA-A2 BIR-002d EPDLAQCFY of SEQ ID NO: 40 derived from survivin HLA-B35, BIR-002a TLGEFLKLDRAKD of SEQ ID NO: 41 derived from survivin HLA-DR, and BIR-004 E of SEQ ID NO: 42 derived from survivin HLA-DR At least one peptide selected from the group consisting of TLGEFLKLDRERAKN, comprising the ^HLA-A * 02.

In another embodiment, the composition consists essentially of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9-11, SEQ ID NO: 13, and SEQ ID NO: 14. , At least 2 peptides, at least 4 peptides, or at least 10 peptides and BIR-002b FTELTLGEF of SEQ ID NO: 38 derived from survivin HLA-A1, BIR-002c LMLGEFLKL of SEQ ID NO: 39 derived from survivin HLA-A2 BIR-002d EPDLAQCFY of SEQ ID NO: 40 derived from survivin HLA-B35, BIR-002a TLGEFLKLDRAKD of SEQ ID NO: 41 derived from survivin HLA-DR, and BIR-004 E of SEQ ID NO: 42 derived from survivin HLA-DR At least one peptide selected from the group consisting of TLGEFLKLDRERAKN, comprises a ^HLA-A * 02, the additional peptide is selected according to HLA set of the subject being treated.

  In one embodiment, the composition comprises at least two peptides consisting of the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 1-11 and SEQ ID NOs: 13-42.

  In another embodiment, the composition comprises at least two peptides consisting of the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9-11, and SEQ ID NO: 13-42 It becomes.

  In another embodiment, the composition comprises at least four peptides consisting of the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9-11, and SEQ ID NO: 13-42. It becomes.

  In another embodiment, the composition comprises 10 peptides consisting of the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9-11, and SEQ ID NO: 13-42. It becomes.

In another embodiment, the composition consists of at least two of the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NOS: 9-11, SEQ ID NO: 13, and SEQ ID NO: 14. One peptide, at least four peptides, or at least ten peptides and BIR-002b FTELTLGEF of SEQ ID NO: 38 derived from survivin HLA-A1, BIR-002c LMLGEFLKL of SEQ ID NO: 39 derived from survivin HLA-A2, Survivin HLA -BIR-002d EPDLAQCFY of SEQ ID NO: 40 derived from B35, BIR-002a TLGEFLKLDRAKD of SEQ ID NO: 41 derived from survivin HLA-DR, and BIR-004 ELTLG of SEQ ID NO: 42 derived from survivin HLA-DR At least one peptide selected from the group consisting of FLKLDRERAKN, comprising the ^HLA-A * 02.

In another embodiment, the composition comprises at least 2 of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9-11, SEQ ID NO: 13, and SEQ ID NO: 14. One peptide, at least four peptides, or at least ten peptides and BIR-002b FTELTLGEF of SEQ ID NO: 38 derived from survivin HLA-A1, BIR-002c LMLGEFLKL of SEQ ID NO: 39 derived from survivin HLA-A2, Survivin HLA -BIR-002d EPDLAQCFY of SEQ ID NO: 40 derived from B35, BIR-002a TLGEFLKLDRAKD of SEQ ID NO: 41 derived from survivin HLA-DR, and BIR-004 ELTLG of SEQ ID NO: 42 derived from survivin HLA-DR At least one peptide selected from the group consisting of FLKLDRERAKN, comprises a ^HLA-A * 02, the additional peptide is selected according to need thereof (in need) HLA set of objects.

  In one embodiment, the composition comprises at least two peptides consisting essentially of the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 1-11, SEQ ID NOs: 13-14, and SEQ ID NOs: 15-31.

  In another embodiment, the composition comprises SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9-11 SEQ ID NO: 13, SEQ ID NO: 14, SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NO: 25 , Comprising at least two peptides consisting essentially of the amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 31, and SEQ ID NO: 32.

  In another embodiment, the composition comprises SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9-11 SEQ ID NO: 13, SEQ ID NO: 14, SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NO: 25 , Comprising at least four peptides consisting essentially of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 31, and SEQ ID NO: 32.

  In another embodiment, the composition comprises SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9-11 SEQ ID NO: 13, SEQ ID NO: 14, SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NO: 25 , Consisting essentially of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 31, and SEQ ID NO: 32, and comprising 10 peptides selected from the group consisting of the above sequences.

In another embodiment, the composition comprises SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9-11, SEQ ID NO: 13, SEQ ID NO: 14, SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NO: 25, at least 2 peptides, at least 4 peptides, or at least 10 selected from the group consisting of the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 31, and SEQ ID NO: 32, and selected from the group consisting of the above sequences BIR-002b FTELTLGEF of SEQ ID NO: 38 derived from survivin HLA-A1, BIR-002d EDPLAQCFY of SEQ ID NO: 39 derived from survivin HLA-A2, BIR-002d EDPLAQCFFY of SEQ ID NO: 40 derived from survivin HLA-B35 SEQ ID NO: 41 derived from survivin HLA-DR At least one peptide selected IR-002a TLGEFLKLDRERAKD, and from the group consisting of BIR-004 ELTLGEFLKLDRERAKN of SEQ ID NO: 42 derived from the survivin HLA-DR, comprises a ^HLA-A * 02.

In another embodiment, the composition comprises SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2; SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NOS: 9-11, SEQ ID NO: 13, SEQ ID NO: 14, SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NO: 25, derived from survivin HLA-A1 with at least two peptides, at least four peptides, or at least ten peptides consisting essentially of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 31, and SEQ ID NO: 32 SEQ ID NO: 38 BIR-002b FTELTLGEF, SEQ ID NO: 39 derived from BIR-002c LMLGEFLKL derived from survivin HLA-A2, SEQ ID NO: 40 derived from BIR-002d EDPLAQCFFY, survivin HLA-B35, SEQ ID NO: survivin HLA-DR 41 BIR-002a TLGEFLKLD RERAKD and at least one peptide selected from the group consisting of BIR-004 ELTLGEFLKLDLREAKN of SEQ ID NO: 42 derived from survivin HLA-DR and HLA-A ^* 02, wherein the additional peptide is the subject to be treated Selected according to the HLA set.

In one embodiment of HLA-A ^* 02, the composition comprises at least one peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 23 and SEQ ID NO: 24, and the amino acid set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1-11 and SEQ ID NO: 13-14 And at least one peptide consisting of a sequence.

In one embodiment of HLA-A ^* 02, the composition comprises SEQ ID NO: 23, and SEQ ID NO: 24, and SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9-11, SEQ ID NO: 13 And at least one peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 14.

In one embodiment of HLA-A ^* 02, the composition comprises SEQ ID NO: 23, and SEQ ID NO: 24, and SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9-11, and SEQ ID NO: 13 and at least one peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 14.

In another embodiment of HLA-A ^* 02, the composition comprises SEQ ID NO: 23, and SEQ ID NO: 24, and SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NOS: 9-11, and sequences It comprises 10 peptides consisting of the amino acid sequences shown in No. 13 and SEQ ID No. 14.

In another embodiment of HLA-A ^* 02, the composition comprises SEQ ID NO: 23 and SEQ ID NO: 24, and SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9 to SEQ ID NO: 11, sequence At least two peptides, at least four peptides, or at least ten peptides consisting of the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 13 and SEQ ID NO: 14, and BIR-002b FTELTLGEF of SEQ ID NO: 38 derived from survivin HLA-A1, survivin BIR-002d EPDLAQCFY of SEQ ID NO: 39 derived from HLA-A2, BIR-002d EPDLAQCFY of SEQ ID NO: 40 derived from survivin HLA-B35, BIR-002a TLGEFLKLDRRAKD of SEQ ID NO: 41 derived from survivin HLA-DR, and survivor At least one peptide selected from the group consisting of BIR-004 ELTLGEFLKLDRERAKN of SEQ ID NO: 42 derived from the emission HLA-DR, comprises a ^HLA-A * 02.

In another embodiment of HLA-A ^* 02, the composition comprises SEQ ID NO: 23, and SEQ ID NO: 24, and SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NOS: 9-11, SEQ ID NO: 13, and at least two peptides, at least four peptides, or at least ten peptides consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 14, and BIR-002b FTELTLGEF of SEQ ID NO: 38 derived from survivin HLA-A1, survivin HLA BIR-002c LMLGEFLKL of SEQ ID NO: 39 derived from A2, BIR-002d EPDLAQCFY of SEQ ID NO: 40 derived from survivin HLA-B35, BIR-002a TLGEFLKLDRRAKD of SEQ ID NO: 41 derived from survivin HLA-DR, and survivin H At least one peptide selected from the group consisting of BIR-004 ELTLGEFLKLDRERAKN of SEQ ID NO: 42, derived from the A-DR, comprises a ^HLA-A * 02, additional peptides need it (in need) selected according to the target HLA set.

In one embodiment of HLA-A ^* 24 in combination with HLA-A ^* 02, the composition comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 25, SEQ ID NO: 31, and SEQ ID NO: 32, and SEQ ID NO: 1. At least two peptides consisting essentially of the amino acid sequence of the group consisting of ~ 11 and SEQ ID NO: 13 or 14.

In another embodiment of HLA-A ^* 24 in combination with HLA-A ^* 02, the composition comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 25, SEQ ID NO: 31, and SEQ ID NO: 32, and SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9 to SEQ ID NO: 11, SEQ ID NO: 13, and SEQ ID NO: 14, SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NO: 25, SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 31 And at least two different peptides consisting essentially of the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 32.

In another embodiment of HLA-A ^* 24 in combination with HLA-A ^* 02, the composition comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 25, SEQ ID NO: 31, and SEQ ID NO: 32, and SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9 to SEQ ID NO: 11, SEQ ID NO: 13, and SEQ ID NO: 14, SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NO: 25, SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 31 And at least two different peptides consisting essentially of the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 32.

  In another embodiment, the composition comprises SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9-11, SEQ ID NO: 13, SEQ ID NO: 14, SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NO: 25, consisting essentially of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 31, and SEQ ID NO: 32, comprising 10 peptides selected from the group consisting of the above sequences.

In another embodiment, the composition comprises SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9-SEQ ID NO: 11, SEQ ID NO: 13, SEQ ID NO: 14, SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 24, At least two peptides, at least four peptides, or at least consisting essentially of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 25, SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 31, and SEQ ID NO: 32, and selected from the group consisting of the above sequences 10 peptides, BIR-002b FTELTLGEF of SEQ ID NO: 38 derived from survivin HLA-A1, BIR-002d EDPLAQCFY of SEQ ID NO: 39 derived from survivin HLA-A2, BIR of SEQ ID NO: 40 derived from survivin HLA-B35 -002d EPDLAQCFY, a composition derived from survivin HLA-DR BIR-002a TLGEFLKLDRERAKD numbers 41, and at least one peptide selected from the group consisting of BIR-004 ELTLGEFLKLDRERAKN of SEQ ID NO: 42 derived from the survivin HLA-DR, comprises a ^HLA-A * 02.

In another embodiment, the composition comprises SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9-SEQ ID NO: 11, SEQ ID NO: 13, SEQ ID NO: 14, SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 24, At least two peptides, at least four peptides, or at least ten peptides consisting essentially of the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 25, SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 31, and SEQ ID NO: 32, and Survivin HLA-A1 Derived from BIR-002b FTELTLGEF of SEQ ID NO: 38, BIR-002d EPDLAQCFY of SEQ ID NO: 39 derived from survivin HLA-A2, BIR-002d EPDLAQCFFY of SEQ ID NO: 40 derived from survivin HLA-B35, survivin HLA-DR BIR-002a TLGEF of SEQ ID NO: 41 LKLDREAKD and at least one peptide selected from the group consisting of BIR-004 ELTLGEFLKLDRERAKN of SEQ ID NO: 42 derived from survivin HLA-DR and HLA-A ^* 02, the additional peptide being treated Selected according to the HLA set.

In one embodiment, the composition comprises at least two peptides consisting of the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 23-25, SEQ ID NO: 31, SEQ ID NO: 32, SEQ ID NO: 1-11, and SEQ ID NO: 13-14. And at least one additional peptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 15-19, SEQ ID NO: 21, SEQ ID NO: 22, SEQ ID NO: 26-30, and SEQ ID NO: 33, selected according to the HLA set of the subject to be treated, and optionally BIR-002b FTELTLGEF of SEQ ID NO: 38 derived from survivin HLA-A1, BIR-002c LMLGEFLKL of SEQ ID NO: 39 derived from survivin HLA-A2, BIR-002d EDPLAQCFFY of SEQ ID NO: 40 derived from survivin HLA-B35, Of SEQ ID NO: 41 derived from survivin HLA-DR IR-002a TLGEFLKLDRERAKD, comprises at least one peptide selected from the group consisting of BIR-004 ELTLGEFLKLDRERAKN of SEQ ID NO: 42 derived from the survivin HLA-DR, and ^HLA-A * 02, additional peptides were treated Selected according to the target HLA set.

In another embodiment, the composition comprises SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 23-25, SEQ ID NO: 31, SEQ ID NO: 32, SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9-11, SEQ ID NO: 13 and SEQ ID NO: 15, SEQ ID NO: 21, selected according to at least two peptides consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 14 and the target HLA set in need thereof At least one additional peptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 22, SEQ ID NO: 26-30, and SEQ ID NO: 33, and optionally from BIR-002b FTELTLGEF of SEQ ID NO: 38, derived from survivin HLA-A1, derived from survivin HLA-A2 BIR-002c LMLGEFLKL of SEQ ID NO: 39, B of SEQ ID NO: 40 derived from survivin HLA-B35 At least one peptide selected from the group consisting of R-002d EPDLAQCFY, BIR-002a TLGEFLKLDRERAKD of SEQ ID NO: 41 derived from survivin HLA-DR, and BIR-004 ELTLGEFLKLDRERAKN of SEQ ID NO: 42 derived from survivin HLA-DR; comprises a ^HLA-a * 02, the additional peptide is selected according to HLA set of the subject being treated.

In another embodiment, the composition comprises SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 23-25, SEQ ID NO: 31, SEQ ID NO: 32, SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9-11, And at least four peptides consisting of the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 13 and SEQ ID NO: 14, and selected according to the HLA set to be treated, SEQ ID NO: 15-19, SEQ ID NO: 21, SEQ ID NO: 22, SEQ ID NO: 26-30, and at least one other peptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 33 and optionally BIR-002b FTELTLGEF of SEQ ID NO: 38 derived from survivin HLA-A1, BIR of SEQ ID NO: 39 derived from survivin HLA-A2 -002c BML-002d EP of SEQ ID NO: 40 derived from LMLGEFLKL, survivin HLA-B35 LAQCFY, at least one peptide selected BIR-002a TLGEFLKLDRERAKD of SEQ ID NO: 41 derived from the survivin HLA-DR, from the group consisting of BIR-004 ELTLGEFLKLDRERAKN of SEQ ID NO: 42 derived from the survivin HLA-DR, survivin HLA-A ^The additional peptide is selected according to the HLA set of the subject to be treated.

In another embodiment, the composition comprises SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 23-25, SEQ ID NO: 31, SEQ ID NO: 32, SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9-11, And 10 peptides consisting of the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 13 and SEQ ID NO: 14 and selected according to the target HLA set in need thereof, SEQ ID NOs: 15-19, SEQ ID NO: 21, At least one additional peptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 22, SEQ ID NO: 26-30, and SEQ ID NO: 33, and optionally BIR-002b FTELTLGEF of SEQ ID NO: 38, derived from survivin HLA-A1, derived from survivin HLA-A2 BIR-002c LMLGEFLKL of SEQ ID NO: 39, BI of SEQ ID NO: 40 derived from survivin HLA-B35 -002d EPDLAQCFY, at least one peptide selected from the group consisting of BIR-002a TLGEFLKLDRERAKD of SEQ ID NO: 41 derived from survivin HLA-DR, and BIR-004 ELTLGEFLKLDRERAKN of SEQ ID NO: 42 derived from survivin HLA-DR, and HLA comprises a -A * ^02, the additional peptide is selected according to HLA set of the subject being treated.

  WO 2004/067023 describes an MHC class I restricted peptide derived from the tumor associated antigen survivin, which can bind to class I HLA molecules with high affinity.

  The optimal amount of each peptide to include in the vaccine and the optimal dosage regimen can be determined by one skilled in the art without undue experimentation. For example, the peptide or variant thereof can be injected intravenously (iv), subcutaneously (sc), intradermal (id), intraperitoneally (ip), intramuscularly. It may be prepared for injection (im). By way of example, peptide injections are s. c. I. d. I. p. I. m. And i. v. However, the present invention is not limited to this. By way of example, DNA injection is performed i. d. I. m. , S. c. I. p. And i. v. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, doses of 1-500 mg, 50 μg and 1.5 mg, or 125 μg-500 μg of peptide or DNA may be administered, depending on the respective peptide or DNA. Dosages in this range have been used successfully in previous trials (Brunnsig PF, Amdal S, Gjersen MK, Kvalheim G, Markowski-Grimstrud CJ, Sve I, Dyrhaul M, Trachel M, Trachel M G., G., G., G., G., G., G., G., G., G., G., G., G., G., G., G., G., G., G., G., G., G., G., G., G., G., G., G., N. Dietrich, T. Eisen, A. Hafe Kamp, J. Beck, A. Mayer, S. Walter, H. Singh, J. Frisch, C. G. Stief; Abstract No 3017.

  The compositions disclosed herein may be organized such that the selection, number, and / or amount of peptides present in the composition is specific to the tissue, cancer, and / or patient. For example, the expression pattern of the parent protein in a particular tissue can guide the correct selection of peptides and avoid side effects. The choice may depend on the particular type of cancer that the patient being treated has, as well as the condition, previous treatment plan, patient immune status, and of course the patient's HLA haplotype. Furthermore, a vaccine according to the present disclosure may contain individual components depending on the personal needs of a particular patient. Examples include different amounts of peptides tailored to the expression of related TAAs in specific patients, undesirable side effects due to personal allergies or other treatments, adjustments for secondary treatment following initial treatment or treatment plan Is mentioned.

  A person skilled in the art, for example, examines the production of T cells in vitro, as well as their effectiveness and overall presence, proliferation, affinity, increase of specific T cells for a specific peptide, for example to analyze IFN-γ production. By testing the functionality of T cells, preferred combinations of immunogenic peptides can be selected (see also the examples below). The most effective peptides are then usually combined as a vaccine for the purposes described above.

  Suitable vaccines contain 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 different peptides May be. The length of the peptide used in the cancer vaccine may be any suitable peptide. In particular, it is a suitable 9-mer peptide, or a suitable octamer, 9-mer, 10-mer or 11-mer peptide, or 12-mer, 13-mer, 14-mer, or 15-mer. There may be. Longer peptides may also be suitable, with 9-mer or 10-mer peptides listed in the attached Tables 1 and 2 being preferred for MHC class I peptides, whereas 12-15 mers are MHC class Preferred for II peptides.

  Peptides are a component of tumor or cancer vaccines. The vaccine may be administered directly to the patient, affected organ, or systemic, or applied in vitro to cells derived from the patient or human cell line, and the cells may subsequently be administered to the patient or used in vitro. A subpopulation of immune cells from the patient to be re-administered to the patient is selected.

  The peptide may be substantially pure or may be combined with an immunostimulatory adjuvant (see below), or in combination with an immunostimulatory cytokine, or administered by a suitable delivery system such as, for example, a liposome. The peptides may also be conjugated to a suitable carrier such as mussel hemocyanin (KLH) or mannan (WO 95/18145 and Longenecker et al (1993) Ann. NY Acad. Sci. 690. , 276-291). The peptide may be labeled and may be a fusion protein or a hybrid molecule. The peptide whose sequence is shown is expected to stimulate CD4 T cells or CD8CTL. However, stimulation is more efficient with the help of reverse CD positive T cells. Thus, for MHC class II epitopes that stimulate CD4 T cells, the fusion partner or selected hybrid molecule suitably provides an epitope that stimulates CD8 positive T cells. On the other hand, for MHC class I epitopes that stimulate CD8CTL, the fusion partner or selected hybrid molecule suitably provides an epitope that stimulates CD4 positive T cells. CD4 and CD8 stimulating epitopes are well known in the art and include those identified in this disclosure.

  Pharmacologically acceptable carriers are well known and are usually liquids in which effective therapeutic agents are formulated. The carrier does not impart pharmacological activity to the formulation, but may provide chemical and / or biological stability, release characteristics, and the like. Typical formulations are for example Alfonso R. Gennaro. Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, 20th Edition. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2000, and the like, including but not limited to saline, water, buffered water, 0.3% glycine, hyaluronic acid, dextrose, and the like. . Recently, it has been found that certain fat emulsions used for many years in parenteral nutrition in human patients can function as peptide vehicles. Two examples of such emulsions are commercially available fat emulsions known as Intralipid and Lipofundin. “Intralipid” is a registered trademark of Kabi Pharmacia, Sweden and is a fat emulsion for parenteral nutrition described in US Pat. No. 3,169,094. “Lipofundin” It is a registered trademark of Braun Melsungen, Germany. Both contain soybean oil as fat (100 g or 200 g in 1,000 ml distilled water: 10% or 20%, respectively). Intralipid uses egg yolk phospholipid as an emulsifier (12 g / l distilled water), and lipofundin uses egg yolk lecithin (12 g / l distilled water). In both Intralipid and Lipofundin, glycerol (25 g / l) is added to maintain isotonicity.

  In order to elicit an immune response, it is usually necessary to include an adjuvant that gives the composition a higher immunogenicity. In a further aspect, a composition comprising at least one HLA binding peptide and one immune adjuvant is provided, wherein the HLA binding peptide comprises an epitope from a prostate associated antigen molecule.

  As used herein, the term “immune adjuvant”, when used in combination with an antigen molecule, refers to any substance that non-specifically promotes, prolongs or otherwise enhances an antigen-specific immune response. Shall. Immune adjuvants are well known in the art and any immune adjuvant may be used. Suitable adjuvants include 1018 ISS, aluminum salt, Amprivax (registered trademark), AS15, BCG, CP-870,893, CpG7909, CyaA, Mologen'sdSLIM (registered trademark), GM-CSF, IC30, IC31, Imiquimod (registered) Trademark), ImuFactIMP321, Interferon alpha or beta, ISPatch, ISS, ISCOMs, JuvImmune (R), LipoVac (R), MF59, monophosphoryl lipid A, and other non-toxic LPS derivatives, MontanideISdeonMIS -51, OK-432, OM-174, OM-197-MP-EC, O TAK, PepTel® vector system, PLG microparticles, requiquimod®, SRL172, Virosomes and other virus-like particles, YF-17D, VEGFtrap, R848, β-glucan, Pam3Cys, saponin, mycobacteria, and synthesis Other suitable adjuvants include, but are not limited to, Aquala's QS21 stimulum from bacterial cell wall mimics (Aquila Biotech, Worcester, MA, USA), and Ribi's Detox, Quil or Superfos®. Is not to be done. Adjuvants such as Imiquimod®, Resimiquimod®, incomplete Freud's adjuvant, interferon alpha or GM-CSF are preferred. Several immunoadjuvants specific for dendritic cells and their preparation have already been reported (Dupuis M, Murphy TJ, Higgins D, Ugozzoli M, van Nest G, Ott G, McDonaldinternate lnvalizatenintercantinivalitinterc Intramuscular injection; Cell Immunol. 1998; 186 (1): 18-27; Allison AC; The mode of action of immunoadjuvants; Dev Biol Stand. 1998; 92: 3-11). Cytokines may also be used. Some cytokines have an effect on the migration of dendritic cells to lymphoid tissues (eg TNFα), efficient antigen-presenting cells for T lymphocytes (eg GM-CSF, IL-1, IL-4) Acceleration of dendritic cell maturation (US Pat. No. 5,849,589, the entire contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference), further action as an immunoadjuvant (eg, IL-12), etc. Directly related to (Gabrilovich DI, Cunningham HT, Carbon DP; IL-12 and Mutant P53 peptide-pulsed dendritic cells for the specific immunotherapeutic r Immunol.1996 (6): 414-418).

  Immune activated CpG oligonucleotides have also been reported to enhance the effect of adjuvants and act as adjuvants themselves in the vaccine context. Without being bound by theory, CpG oligonucleotides act by activating the innate (non-acquired) immune system primarily through the Toll-like receptor (TLR), which is TLR9. CpG-induced activation of TLR9 is diverse, including peptide or protein antigens, live or killed viruses, dendritic cell vaccines, autologous cell vaccines, and polysaccharide conjugates within both prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines. Enhances antigen-specific humoral and cellular responses to various antigens. More importantly, this activation enhances dendritic cell maturation and differentiation, even without the help of CD4 T cells, and enhances TH1 cell activation and potent cytotoxic T lymphocytes ( CTL) generation. The TH1 bias induced by TLR9 stimulation is maintained even in the presence of a vaccine adjuvant that normally promotes a TH2 bias, such as alum or incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA). CpG oligonucleotides show even greater adjuvant activity when formulated or co-administered with other adjuvants, or in formulations such as microparticles, nanoparticles, fat emulsions, or similar formulations, although antigens are comparable This is especially necessary to induce a strong response when the target is weak. CpG oligonucleotides also accelerated the immune response, and in some experiments, antigen doses could be reduced by approximately two orders of magnitude with an antibody response comparable to a sufficient amount of vaccine without CpG (Arthur M. Krieg). , Therapeutic potential of Toll-like receptor 9 activation, Nature Reviews, Drug Discovery, 2006, 5, 471-484). US Pat. No. 6,406,705 B1 describes the combined use of CpG oligonucleotides, non-nucleic acid adjuvants, and antigens to elicit an antigen-specific immune response. A commercially available CpGTLR9 antagonist is Morogen (Berlin, Germany) dSLIM® (double Stem Loop Immunomodulator). Other TLR binding molecules such as RNA binding TLR7, TLR8 and / or TLR9 may be used.

  Other examples of useful adjuvants include chemically modified CpGs (eg, CpR, Idera), mucin-1-mRNA / protamine complexes, Poly (I: C) (eg, polyI: C12U), and non-CpG bacteria. DNA or RNA, and imidazoquinoline, cyclophosphamide, sunitinib, bevacizumab, celebrex, NCX-4016, sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, sorafinib, XL-999, CP-547632, Pazopanib, ZD2171, A Including, but not limited to, immunoreactive small molecules and antibodies such as ipilimumab, tremelimumab, and SC58175, which function therapeutically and / or as an adjuvant. Good. The amounts and concentrations of adjuvants and additives useful in the context of the present disclosure can be readily determined by the skilled artisan without undue experimentation.

  In one embodiment, the adjuvant is dSLIM®, BCG, OK432, Imchymod, Mucin-1-mRNA / protamine complex, Resimiquimod, GM-CSF, Interferon α, PeviTer®, and JuvImmune®. ), Or a combination thereof.

  In another embodiment, the adjuvant is a colony stimulating factor, such as granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF, salgramostim), imiquimod®, mucin-1-mRNA / protamine complex, reimiquimod, and interferon-. Selected from the group consisting of

  In another embodiment of the composition according to the disclosure, the adjuvant is a mucin-1-mRNA / protamine complex, imiquimod, or resiquiquimod.

  The compositions disclosed herein may be used for parenteral administration, such as subcutaneous, intradermal, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, or for oral administration. For this purpose, the peptide and optionally other molecules are dissolved or suspended in a pharmaceutically acceptable, preferably aqueous carrier. In addition, the composition may contain additives such as buffers, binders, blasting agents, diluents, fragrances, lubricants and the like. The peptide may be administered with an immunostimulatory substance such as a cytokine. A large list of excipients that can be used in such compositions can be found, for example, in A.M. Kibbe, Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients, 3rd Ed. 2000, American Pharmaceutical Association and pharmaceutical press. The composition may be used for the prevention, prevention and / or treatment of adenoma or cancerous diseases, preferably CRC.

  Cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) recognize antigens in the form of peptides bound to MHC molecules, not intact foreign antigens themselves. MHC molecules themselves are on the cell surface of antigen presenting cells. Therefore, CTL activation is possible only in the presence of peptide antigen, MHC molecule, and APC trimer complex. Accordingly, not only peptides are used for CTL activation, but the addition of APC along with the respective MHC molecule may enhance the immune response.

  In another embodiment, the composition according to the present disclosure further comprises at least one antigen presenting cell.

  Antigen presenting cells (or stimulator cells) typically have MHC class I or II molecules on their surface, and in one embodiment, substantially the antigen presenting cells themselves can select a selected antigen as an MHC class I or II molecule. Can not be loaded. As described in detail below, the selected antigen may be easily loaded into the MHC class I or II molecule in vitro.

  In one embodiment, the mammalian cell lacks a TAP peptide transporter, or its level is reduced, or its function is reduced. Suitable cells lacking the TAP peptide transporter include the human peptide-loaded deficient cell line T2, available from the American Type Culture Collection (12301 Parklawn Drive, Rockville, Maryland 20852, USA) as catalog number CRL1992. Because TAP-deficient cell lines such as T2 can be used as APCs and lack TAP, almost all peptides presented by MHC class I load extracellular MHC class I molecules in these cell lines extracellularly. Is the monitored peptide used in All effects are therefore clearly attributed to the peptides used.

  In another embodiment, the antigen presenting cell is a dendritic cell. Suitably, the dendritic cell is an autologous dendritic cell pulsed with an antigenic peptide. The antigenic peptide may be any suitable antigenic peptide that causes an appropriate T cell response. T cell therapy using autologous dendritic cells pulsed with peptides from tumor-associated antigens is Murphy et al (1996) The Prostate 29, 371-380, and Tjua et al (1997) The Prostate 32, 272-278. It is disclosed.

  In another embodiment, a composition containing at least one antigen presenting cell is pulsed or loaded with a peptide.

  Alternatively, the antigen presenting cell comprises an expression construct encoding a peptide. The polynucleotide may be any suitable polynucleotide. In one embodiment, the polynucleotide can transduce dendritic cells, thus providing peptide presentation and immune induction.

  Conveniently, the nucleic acids of the present disclosure may be contained in viral polynucleotides or viruses. For example, adenovirus-transduced dendritic cells have been shown to induce antigen-specific anti-tumor immunity in association with MUC1 (see Gong et al (1997) Gene Ther. 4, 1023-1028. Wanna) Similarly, adenovirus-based systems may be used (see, for example, Wan et al (1997) Hum. Gene Ther. 8, 1355-1363), or retroviral systems may be used (Spect et al. al (1997) J. Exp. Med. 186, 1213-1221 and Szabolcs et al (1997)). Blood particle-mediated transfer to dendritic cells may also be used (Tutting et al (1997) Eur. J. Immunol. 27, 2702-2707), and RNA may also be used (Ashley et al (1997). J. Exp. Med. 186, 11771182).

  In general, a composition of the present disclosure containing a nucleic acid of the present disclosure is similar to a pharmaceutical composition containing a peptide of the present disclosure, for example, intravenous, intraarterial, intraperitoneal, intramuscular, transdermal, intratumoral, Administration may be by oral, transdermal, nasal, buccal, rectal, inhalation, or topical administration.

  Because of the avoidance mechanism, tumors often develop resistance to the therapeutic agent. Drug resistance develops during administration and may manifest as metastasis and tumor recurrence. To avoid such drug resistance, tumors are generally treated with a combination of drugs, and different combinations are often required for metastasis and disease recurrence after a disease-free period. Thus, in one aspect of the present disclosure, the composition is administered in conjunction with a second anticancer agent. The second agent may be administered before, after or simultaneously with the composition of the present disclosure. Co-administration can be accomplished, for example, by mixing the composition of the present disclosure with a second anticancer agent if the chemical properties are compatible. Another method of co-administration is to administer the composition and the anti-cancer agent on the same day, regardless of the route of administration, such as by injecting the composition of the present disclosure and administering a second anti-cancer agent, for example orally. The composition and the second anticancer agent may also be administered within the same course of treatment but on different days, and / or may be administered within another course of treatment.

  In another embodiment, a method of treating or preventing cancer in a patient is provided, said method comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of any one of the disclosed compositions.

  A therapeutically effective amount is an amount sufficient to elicit an immune response, particularly activation of a CTL subpopulation. One of ordinary skill in the art may readily determine whether an amount is effective using standard immunological methods such as those provided in the Examples herein. Another way to monitor the effect of a particular amount of the composition is to observe the growth of the treated tumor and / or its recurrence.

  In another embodiment, the composition is used as an anti-cancer vaccine.

  A composition containing a peptide or a nucleic acid encoding the peptide can also be a component of a tumor or cancer vaccine. The vaccine is administered directly to the patient, affected organ, or systemically, or applied in vitro to cells derived from the patient or human cell line, and the cells are subsequently administered to the patient or used in vitro to the patient A subpopulation of immune cells from the patient that is re-administered may be selected.

  In one aspect, the vaccine is a multiple peptide tumor vaccine for the treatment of prostate cancer. In a further aspect, the vaccine comprises a set of tumor associated peptides selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-11 and SEQ ID NOs: 13-14, identified and present on primary prostate cells and / or prostate cancer. . This set includes HLA class I and class II peptides. The peptide set can also contain at least one peptide, such as a peptide of the influenza core antigen, and is used as a positive control peptide that functions as an immune marker to verify the efficiency of intradermal administration. In one particular embodiment, the vaccine consists of 14 individual peptides (described in SEQ ID NOs: 1-14), each peptide being about 1500 μg to about 75 μg, about 1000 μg to about 175 μg, about 1000 μg to about 175 μg. Present in an amount selected from the group consisting of about 500 μg to about 600 μg, about 578 μg, all peptides may be purified by HPLC and ion exchange chromatography and have a white to off-white powder appearance. The lyophilized product may be dissolved in sodium bicarbonate and used for intradermal injection within 30 minutes after returning to room temperature. The total peptide amount per 500 μl of solution may vary from about 0.1 to 100 mg, from about 0.1 to 1 mg, and from about 300 μg to 800 μg. As used herein, the term “about” is intended to mean the mean +/− 10% of a given value unless otherwise specified. One skilled in the art can adjust the amount of peptide actually used based on several factors, such as the individual patient's immune status and / or the amount of TUMAP present in a particular cancer type. The peptides of the present invention may be provided in other suitable forms (such as sterile solutions) instead of lyophilized products.

  The pharmaceutical composition may comprise the peptide in free form or in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt.

  As used herein, “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” refers to a derivative of a disclosed peptide, wherein the peptide is modified by creating an acid or base salt of the agent. For example, acid salts are prepared from the free base involved in reaction with the appropriate acid (typically, the neutral form of the drug has a neutral NH2 group). Acids suitable for the preparation of the acid salts include, for example, acetic acid, propionic acid, glycolic acid, pyruvic acid, oxalic acid, malic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, benzoic acid, cinnamic Examples include both organic acids such as acid, mandelic acid, methanesulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, and salicylic acid, and inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, and phosphoric acid. It is done. Conversely, basic salt formulations of the acid moiety present on the peptide are prepared using pharmaceutically acceptable bases such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, trimethylamine. The By way of example, the composition may comprise the peptide as a salt of acetic acid (acetate), ammonium, or hydrochloric acid (chloride), but is not limited thereto.

  In another embodiment, the composition of the present disclosure may include saccharides, sugar alcohols, glycine, arginine, amino acids such as glutamic acid, and the like as a skeleton-forming substance. The saccharide may be a monosaccharide, a disaccharide, or a trisaccharide. These saccharides may be used alone as well as in combination with sugar alcohols. Examples of the saccharide include glucose, mannose, galactose, fructose, or sorbose as a monosaccharide, sucrose, lactose, maltose, trehalose as a disaccharide, and raffinose as a trisaccharide. The sugar alcohol may be, for example, mannitol. In one embodiment, the composition comprises sucrose, lactose, maltose, trehalose, mannitol and / or sorbitan. In another embodiment, the probasal organism comprises mannitol.

  In addition, the composition comprises an antioxidant such as ascorbic acid or glutathione; a preservative such as phenol, m-cresol, methyl- or propylparaben, chlorobutanol, thiomersal, or benzalkonium chloride; a stabilizer; Skeleton-forming substances such as lactose, maltose, trehalose, mannitol, mannitol and / or sorbit, mannitol and / or lactose; polyethylene glycol (PEG), ie PEG 3000, 3350, 4000 or 6000; or cyclodextrin, ie hydroxypropylene β-cyclodextrin, sulfobutylethyl-β-cyclodextrin or γ-cyclodextrin; or dextran or poloxamer, ie poloxy May include physiologically tolerable excipients such as Marmer 407, Poloxamer 188, or Tween® 20, Tween® 80 (Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients, 5th ed., Edited by Raymond, See Paul Sheskyey and Sian Owen, Pharmaceutical Press (2006)). In another aspect, one or more well-tolerated excipients selected from the group consisting of antioxidants, skeleton formers, and stabilizers may be included.

  In another aspect, the pH for intravenous and intramuscular administration is selected from pH 2 to pH 12, while subcutaneous administration has a pH of 2.7 in order to reduce in vivo dilution resulting in more intense irradiation at the injection site. ~ H9.0 is selected. Strickley Robert G. Pharm. Res. , 21, NO: 2, 201-230 (2004). .

  In a further aspect, a formulation comprising a peptide and / or nucleic acid according to the present disclosure is administered to a patient suffering from an adenoma-like or cancerous disease associated with the respective peptide or antigen. This can induce a T cell immune response.

  Further disclosed are compositions in which the amount of a peptide, nucleic acid, or expression vector according to the present invention (especially tumor-associated) present in the composition is specific to tissue, cancer, and / or patient.

  In another embodiment, the vaccine is a nucleic acid vaccine. It is known that inoculation with a nucleic acid vaccine, such as a DNA vaccine, which encodes a polypeptide, induces a T cell response. The vaccine is administered directly to the patient, affected organ, or systemically, or applied in vitro to cells derived from the patient or human cell line, and the cells are subsequently administered to the patient or used in vitro to the patient A subpopulation of immune cells from the patient that is re-administered may be selected. When administering a nucleic acid to a cell in vitro, it may be useful to transfect the cell with the nucleic acid so as to co-express an immunostimulatory cytokine such as interleukin-2 or GM-CSF. The nucleic acid is substantially pure and may be used in combination with an immunostimulatory adjuvant, or in combination with an immunostimulatory cytokine, or administered using a suitable delivery system such as, for example, a liposome. The nucleic acid vaccine may be administered with an adjuvant as described above for the peptide vaccine. The nucleic acid vaccine may be administered without an adjuvant.

  The polynucleotide may be substantially pure or contained in a suitable vector or delivery system. Suitable vectors and delivery systems include adenoviruses, vaccinia viruses, retroviruses, herpes viruses, adeno-associated viruses, or virus-based systems such as hybrids containing multiple viral elements. Non-viral delivery systems include cationic lipids and cationic polymers and are well known in the technical field related to DNA delivery. Physical delivery methods such as “gene guns” may also be used. The peptide or peptide encoded by the nucleic acid may be, for example, a fusion protein with an epitope of tetanus toxoid that stimulates CD4 positive T cells.

  Of course, the nucleic acid administered to the patient is sterilized and free of pyrogens. Naked DNA may be administered intramuscularly or transdermally or subcutaneously. Conveniently, the nucleic acid vaccine may comprise any suitable nucleic acid delivery means. Nucleic acids may be delivered in liposomes or as part of a viral vector delivery system. In one embodiment, a nucleic acid vaccine, such as a DNA vaccine, is administered intramuscularly. In another embodiment, the peptide vaccine is s. c. Or i. d. Is administered. In a further embodiment, the vaccine is administered intradermally.

  Nucleic acid uptake and expression of the encoded polypeptide by professional antigen-presenting cells such as dendritic cells are thought to be the primary antigenic stimulation mechanism of the immune response. However, dendritic cells may not be transfected because dendritic cells can receive the expressed peptide from transfected cells in the tissue, but still important ("cross-presentation", eg ,, Thomas AM, Santarsiero LM, Lutz ER, Armstrong TD, Chen YC, Huang LQ, Laheru DA, Goggins M, Hruban RH, Jaffee EM.Mesothelin-specific CD8 (+) T cell responses provide evidence of in vivo cross-priming by antigen-presenting cells in vaccinated pancreatic cancer pati nts.J Exp Med.2004 Aug 2; 200 (3): 297-306).

  Concer et al (1996) Seminars in Oncology 23, 135-147; Condon et al (1996) Nature Medicine 2, 1122, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. -1127; Gong et al (1997) Nature Medicine 3, 558-561; Zhai et al (1996) J. MoI. Immunol. 156, 700-710; Graham et al (1996) Int J. et al. And Burcell et al (1996) 309-313 In: Breast Cancer, Advances in biologics and therapeutics, Calvo et al (Eds), John Liberty Eur.

  Identify vaccine targets, eg, antigen-presenting cells, by injection site or by using targeted vectors and delivery systems, or by selectively purifying specific cell populations from patients and administering peptides or nucleic acids in vitro. It may be useful to make a cell population. (For example, dendritic cells may be classified as described in Zhou et al (1995) Blood 86, 3295-3301; Roth et al (1996) Scand. J. Immunology 43, 646-651). For example, the targeting vector may comprise a tissue or tumor specific promoter that induces antigen expression at the appropriate location.

  The vaccine may depend on the particular type of cancer that the patient being treated has, as well as the medical condition, previous treatment plan, patient immune status, and of course the patient's HLA haplotype. Further, the vaccine may contain individual components depending on the specific needs of the particular patient. Examples include the amount of peptide according to the expression of relevant TAA in a particular patient, undesirable side effects due to personal allergies or other treatments, adjustments for secondary treatment after initial treatment or treatment planning. To change.

  In addition to being effective in treating cancer, the peptides disclosed herein are also effective in diagnosis. Since many of the peptides are generated from prostate cancer and have been determined not to be present in normal tissue, these peptides can be used to diagnose the presence of cancer.

  The presence of peptides on tissue biopsies can help pathologists diagnose cancer. Detection of certain disclosed peptides by antibodies, mass spectrometry, or other methods known in the art can indicate to the pathologist that the tissue is malignant or inflammatory, or diseased tissue. The presence of a group of peptides of the present disclosure may allow classification or subclassification of diseased tissue.

  In particular, if the involvement of T lymphocytes in the mechanism of action is known or predicted, detection of the disclosed peptides on the diseased tissue specimen will allow the determination of the benefit of immune system involvement therapy. Deletion of MHC expression is a mechanism described in detail for infectious malignant cells to escape immune surveillance. Thus, the presence of the peptides of the present disclosure indicates that the analyzed cells do not utilize this mechanism.

  The peptides of the present disclosure may be used to analyze lymphocyte responses to these peptides, such as T cell responses or antibody responses to peptides or peptides complexed with MHC molecules. These lymphocyte responses can be used as prognostic markers in determining further treatment steps. These responses can also be used as surrogate markers in immunotherapeutic approaches aimed at inducing lymphocyte responses by different means such as protein vaccines, nucleic acids, self-substances, lymphocyte adoptive immunotherapy. In gene therapy, lymphocyte responses to the peptides of the present disclosure can be considered in assessing side effects. Monitoring lymphocyte responses can also be a useful tool for follow-up testing of transplant therapy, such as detection of graft-versus-host disease.

  In yet another aspect of the present invention, (a) a container containing the above-described composition in solution or lyophilized form; (b) optionally a second containing a diluent or reconstitution solution for the lyophilized formulation. Disclosed is a kit comprising a container, and (c) optionally, (i) a method of using the solution or (ii) instructions for returning and / or using the lyophilized formulation. The kit may further comprise one or more (iii) a buffer, (iv) a diluent, (vi) a filter, (vi) a needle, or (v) a syringe. In one embodiment, the container is selected from the group consisting of a bottle, vial, syringe, test tube, or reusable container. In another embodiment, the composition is lyophilized.

  In one aspect, the kit may comprise a composition of the present disclosure and / or a lyophilized preparation of the virus in a suitable container and instructions for its return and use. Suitable containers include, for example, bottles, vials (eg, dual chamber vials), syringes (such as dual chamber syringes), and test tubes. The container may be formed from a variety of materials such as glass or plastic. In one embodiment, the kit and / or container contain instructions on or associated with the container that indicate how to return and / or use. For example, the label may indicate that the lyophilized formulation is returned to the peptide concentrate described above. The label may further indicate that the preparation is useful for subcutaneous administration and is intended for subcutaneous administration.

  The container holding the formulation may be a reusable vial that allows the returned formulation to be administered repeatedly (eg, 2-6 times). The kit may further comprise a second container comprising a suitable diluent (eg, sodium bicarbonate solution).

  In one embodiment, upon mixing the diluent and lyophilized formulation, the final peptide concentration of the redissolved formulation is at least 0.15 mg / mL / peptide (= 75 μg) and up to 3 mg / mL / peptide (= 1500 μg). Up to. The kit may further include other materials desirable from a commercial and user standpoint, including other buffers, excipients, filters, needles, syringes, and instructions for use.

  The kit may have a single container containing the formulation of the composition, with or without other components (eg, other compounds or components of these other compounds), or a separate for each component You may have the container.

  In addition, the kit combines the co-administration of a second compound (eg, adjuvant (imiquimod), chemotherapeutic agent, natural product, hormone or antagonist, anti-angiogenic agent or inhibitor, apoptosis inducer or chelator). It may include the composition and / or vaccine formulation of the present disclosure, or the composition itself, packaged for use. The components of the kit may be pre-complexed or each component may be in a separate container prior to administration to the patient. The kit components may be provided in one or more solutions. In one embodiment, the solution is an aqueous solution. In a further embodiment, the solution is a sterile aqueous solution. The components of the kit may also be provided as a solid and may be converted to a liquid by adding a suitable solvent that may be provided in other separate containers.

  The container of the treatment kit may be a vial, test tube, flask, bottle, syringe, or any other means including a solid or liquid. Usually, if there are at least two components, the kit contains a second vial or other container, which allows for separate administration. The kit may also include a separate container for pharmaceutically acceptable liquids. In one embodiment, the therapeutic kit also contains a device (eg, one or more needles, syringes, eye drops, pipettes, etc.) that allows administration of the formulation of the present disclosure that is a component of the kit. To do.

  The pharmaceutical preparation is suitable for administration of the peptide via any acceptable route, including oral (intestinal), nasal, intraocular, subcutaneous, intradermal, intramuscular, intravenous, or transdermal. Also good. In one aspect, administration is subcutaneous and may be administered by an infusion pump.

  The term “T cell response” refers to the specific proliferation and activation of effector functions caused by peptides in vitro or in vivo. In MHC class I restricted CTL, the effector function is lysis of target cells pulsed with peptides, pulsed with peptide precursors, or naturally presenting peptides, secretion of cytokines, secretion of effector molecules or degranulation. Also good. In one embodiment, the T cell response is peptide-induced cytokine secretion, and the peptide is selected from the group consisting of interferon-γ, TNF-α, or IL-2. In one embodiment, the T cell response is peptide-induced effector molecule secretion, wherein the effector molecule is selected from the group consisting of granzyme and perforin. In MHC class II restricted helper T cells, effector functions include, but are not limited to, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10 or IL-2. There may be no peptide-induced secretion of cytokines, or peptide-induced degranulation. Possible effector functions for CTL and helper T cells are not limited to this list.

  Further disclosure is a composition comprising a combination of amino acid sequences of peptides having the ability to bind to human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class-I (HLA class I) or II (HLA class II) molecules.

  The composition may be used as an effective anti-prostate cancer vaccine based on peptide combinations.

  Another aspect is a method for treating prostate cancer comprising administering to a patient any of the compositions disclosed herein. These compositions can be administered with or without concomitant treatment with an immune adjuvant. When an immune adjuvant is used, the adjuvant can be included in the compositions disclosed herein or can be administered separately by the same route of administration or by different routes of administration.

  The compositions and methods disclosed herein can be used as primary therapy, adjuvant therapy, or palliative therapy, either alone or surgical therapy (including prostatectomy), radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Can be used in conjunction with other therapies, including but not limited to. The disclosed methods can further be used in response to primary tumors, biological recurrences, local recurrences, or metastatic recurrences. The methods of the present disclosure may further be used before and after androgen block therapy, or simultaneously, in both androgen sensitive prostate cancer and androgen independent prostate cancer.

  As used herein, the term “androgen-sensitive prostate cancer” is intended to refer to any prostate cancer that requires androgen for tumor growth.

  As used herein, the term “androgen-independent prostate cancer” is intended to refer to any prostate cancer in which tumor growth occurs in the absence of androgen.

  As used herein, the term “androgen blocker therapy” refers to any therapy where the main action is suppression of androgen signaling or androgen production.

  The following examples serve to illustrate certain embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. All references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Examples Example 1:
HLA-binding peptide cocktails were tested in patients with no diagnostic evidence of metastatic development and biochemical relapse after radical prostatectomy, and such compositions are stable in PSA doubling time ("DT") It was determined whether it was effective for conversion and / or increase.

Patient Selection All patients had biochemical recurrence after initial treatment with radical prostatectomy. Biochemical recurrence was defined as an increase in PSA value 50% above the minimum level when measured twice at intervals of at least 14 days after surgery or radiation therapy in addition to surgery. Other eligibility criteria included the following: That is, no metastatic disease or bone scan, axial imaging, and local tumor recurrence as determined by CT, general condition by East Coast Cancer Clinical Trials Group (ECOG) is 0 or 1, age> 45 and <80 years, corticoid or No other immunomodulatory therapy, no radiation or hormones or chemotherapy, no other malignancy or epilepsy or lung disease. All patients were androgen sensitive at the time of study participation, and androgen block therapy was discontinued for at least 12 months prior to participation. All patients were HLA-A ^* 02 positive. The patient background is shown in the table below.

In order to avoid the escape of tumors through therapeutic gene mutations and antigen deficiencies, multivalent peptide compositions targeting a broad spectrum of specific T cells were used. The composition comprised 13 synthetic HLA-binding peptides specific for both HLA class I and class II from prostate-associated antigen molecules that activate cytotoxic CD8 + and CD4 + T helper cells. Eleven of the peptides (SEQ ID NOs: 1-11) comprised HLA-A ^* 0201 restricted epitopes. Two peptides (SEQ ID NOs: 13 and 14) comprised HLA class II binding epitopes. An additional peptide (SEQ ID NO: 12) comprising the HLA-A ^* 0201 epitope derived from influenza virus was added as a marker peptide for activation of recall CD8 + T cell responses. The peptides were emulsified with 500 ml Montanide ISA-51 and injected subcutaneously at a dose of 300 mg for each individual peptide.

  In addition, patients were randomly assigned to study groups (1) immunoadjuvant; (2) hyperthermia; or (3) no immunoadjuvant or hyperthermia. The immunoadjuvant used was Scheel et al. , Therapeutic anti-tumor triggered triggered by injections of immunostimulating single-stranded RNA, Eur. J. et al. Immunology 2006; 36 (10): 2807-2816. (1) Imquimod (Aldara®, Meda Pharma, Bad Homburg, Germany), (2) GM-CSF (Leukine®, Bayer Healthcare, Leverkusen, Germany), and (3) -1-mRNA / protamine complex. .

  Three patients (patients 1, 2, 5) received immune adjuvant or hyperthermia.

  Four patients (patients 16, 17, 18, 19) received mucin-1-mRNA / protamine complex as an immune adjuvant. In patients receiving the mucin-1-mRNA / protamine complex, 110 μg of immunoadjuvant was emulsified with the peptide and Montanide ISA-51. All components were administered as a single injection.

  Four patients (patients 3, 7, 8, 11) received imiquimod as an immune adjuvant. In these patients, imiquimod cream was applied topically to the injection site and blocked after peptide administration. The patient was instructed to wash the imiquimod application site with water after 8 hours.

  Six patients (patients 4, 6, 9, 12, 14, 15) received GM-CSF as an immune adjuvant. In these patients, immunoadjuvant was injected subcutaneously near the injection site at a dose of 225 μg.

  Two patients (patients 10 and 13) received hyperthermia. In these patients, immediately after treatment, a heat source maintained at 41 ° C. was applied to the injection site of 20 cm 2 of exposed abdominal skin for 20 minutes.

Treatment with the peptide composition, immunoadjuvant, and / or hyperthermia was repeated at the same location for each application at 7, 14, 28, 42, and 56 days after the first dose. Thereafter, if there was a decrease or stabilization of the desired PSA value, treatment was continued every 4 weeks until day 420.
Evaluation of response Treatment response was determined at each treatment visit by PSA measurement as an alternative parameter. Hematology and blood biochemistry were repeated after the first 6 treatments (8 weeks) and every 3 months thereafter. Laboratory tests and digital rectal exams were performed on a schedule similar to the assessment of clinical progression.

Data analysis response was evaluated by calculating the geometric mean doubling time. The log of each patient's PSA value was fitted to a straight line with a variable slope. The switch point between the two slopes, the different slopes, and the initial values were evaluated by a non-linear least squares fit. Complete response is defined as an unmeasureable PSA value, partial response is defined as a 50% decrease in PSA value, pathological stability is decreased by 50% or less or increased by 10% or less, and pathological progression is defined as an increase of more than 10% from the baseline PSA value It was done. These measurements had to be confirmed after 4 weeks. The biochemical response of patients who discontinued the trial was followed until the patients were further treated with local radiation or androgen block therapy.

Results The mean PSA doubling time (DT) before treatment was 8.4 months for all patients and increased to 11.2 months after the end of treatment. Four patients (21%) showed improved biochemical testing with treatment. In two patients with increased PSA levels, clinical recurrence of the tumor was detected by digital rectal examination and confirmed by a PET-CT scan. Treatment responses, or PSA values, varied between patients and could be classified into five different response groups. The data is summarized in FIG.

Increased PSA stability and DT Two patients (Patient 3 and Patient 8; 11%) showed PSA stability during treatment and at 14 and 16 months of follow-up after the last treatment (Figure 3). The average period from the start of treatment to stability was 29.5 months at the time of data cut-off and received an average of 17 (14 and 20) treatments. Patient 3 showed a partial PSA response (> 50%) over 9 months, followed by a slow rise period of PSA, with a doubling time of 20.5 months compared to 9.8 months before treatment. . Early PSA recurrence prior to the trial began 18 months after radical prostatectomy (pT2pN0 case GS5 therapy). Patient 3 had to drop out due to an allergic reaction at the 20th treatment. Patient 8 showed stable disease after the start of treatment. The patient discontinued treatment due to an allergic reaction at the 14th treatment after 10 months. This patient had a pT3b Gleason 3 + 4 tumor with a PSA nadir of 0.6 ng / ml after radical prostatectomy and showed an increase in PSA prior to study entry after initial post-surgery. The male patient's DT increased from 6.6 months to 148.0 months. Both patients received imiquimod transdermally as an immune adjuvant (FIG. 4).

Increased PSADT in a state of lack of PSA stability Two patients (patients 11 and 16, 11%) had an increase in PSADT and a slow increase in PSA values during the treatment period. Patient 11's PSADT increased from 1.5 months to 10.1 months in the first 6 months of treatment. This patient started treatment with a PSA value of 10.8 ng / ml and increased to 17.8 ng / ml after 6 months of treatment. The trial was terminated and hormone replacement therapy was started. In this patient, no observable malignant lesions were observed on the PET-CT scan. Imiquimod was used as an immune adjuvant. In patient 16, the DT was 6.1 months at the start of the trial. The patient's PSA decreased and changed DT to a half-life of 2.7 months within 5 months of treatment. Subsequently, the patient's statistically calculated DT increased to 14.4 months and persisted for 16 months after initiation of treatment. At the start of treatment, the patient's PSA value was 0.29 ng / ml and at the end of follow-up it was 0.41 ng / ml. This patient received mucin-1-mRNA / protamine complex as an immune adjuvant (FIGS. 3 and 4).

One patient (patient 5, 5%) with intermediate PSA elevation followed by PSA decline and PSADT increase showed no effect PSA increase after the start of treatment, 1.31 ng / ml PSA after the 11th peptide administration Treatment was discontinued at the value. Subsequently, the patient's PSA declined and DT increased to 20.2 months until follow-up was completed. The patient did not receive any additional treatment during this period. In this patient, no immune adjuvant was used and the peptide was emulsified alone in montanide (FIGS. 3 and 4).

Decrease or stabilization of intermediate PSA and subsequent acceleration of PSA increase The PSA values of the three patients (patients 7, 15, and 17; 16%) remain stable or decrease, followed by acceleration of the increase It was. Patient 7's DT was 3.7 months at the start of treatment, rose to 21.5 months, lasted for a treatment period of 4 months, and then increased to DT 2.8 months. This patient had a pT2b tumor on histology and was positive for surgical resection. This patient refused any local radiation therapy (Figure 3). Patient 15 had a DT of 1.3 months at the start of the trial. Prior to the first treatment, the last two PSA values were measured in our clinic over a period of 4 months. As a result, the PSADT results changed from 1.3 months to 25.8 months due to differences between facilities. During treatment with GM-CSF, DT decreased to 9.9 months and was stable for 6 months. Then PSA increased again to 7.4 months DT. Interpretation of this PSA course was hampered by a short-term change in baseline PSADT prior to treatment initiation. In patient 17, PSADT decreased from 10.2 months to 4.8 months and continued for 2 months within the treatment period after the intermediate PSA decline with a half-life of 1.9 within the treatment period. It continued (FIG. 3).

Increased PSA The PSA value of 11 patients (58%) increased with no effect on PSADT during the study period, and the study was terminated early (FIG. 4). An average of 13 treatments (range 7-18) were performed.

Effect of immune adjuvant Four of eight patients who showed increased PSADT or decreased PSA levels received imiquimod as an immune adjuvant. One patient received GM-CSF, two patients received the mucin-1-mRNA / protamine complex, and one patient received no immune adjuvant. None of the two patients treated with local hyperthermia showed a response or clinical improvement (Figure 4).

Example 2:
Responsiveness to specific HLA class I binding peptides contained in the multipeptide cocktail was also tested following the treatment of Example 1.

In vitro amplification of specific T cells Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from prostate cancer patients were collected at different times during vaccination, supplemented with 90% fetal calf serum and 10% DMSO and stored frozen in liquid nitrogen. After thawing, approximately 5 × 10 6 cells were treated with 50 U / ml penicillin and 50 μg / ml streptomycin (all Biowhittaker, Verviers, Belgium), 10% heat-inactivated human serum (cc pro, Newstadt, Germany). And in IMDM medium supplemented with 50 μM β-mercaptoethanol at 37 ° C. and 75% CO ₂ (24-well cell culture plate; Greiner Bio-One, Frickenhausen, Germany). Pooled synthetic HLA class I or HLA class II binding peptides were added on day 1 each at 1 μg / ml for HLA class I and 5 μg / ml for HLA class II. In HLA class I, recombinant human IL-2 (r-hIL2, R & Systems GmbH, Wiesbaden, Germany on days 3, 5, 7, and 9 of T cell stimulation, prokinkin and IL-4 and 7 on day 0 Is added to the culture, and in HLA class II, recombinant human IL-2 (r-hIL2, R & D Systems GmbH, Wiesbaden, Germany) and promokin are added on days 3, 5, 7, and 9 of T cell stimulation. Added.

Enzyme immunospot assay (ELISPOT)
The function of the expanded T cells was tested with the standard interferon-γ ELISPOT method according to the recommendations of the Cancer Immunotherapy Association (CIP) immune guide program. Briefly, cells were collected on day 12 of culture, washed, counted and inoculated into ELISPOT plate (Millipore, Schwalbach, Germany) medium. i) in the presence of peptide-presenting cell line K562-A2 and 1 μg / ml of individual HLA class I binding peptide, or ii) in the presence of 2.5 μg / ml of individual HLA class II binding peptide, 0.20-0 40 × 10 6 cells were tested in duplicate or triplicate. PHA (10 μg / ml) or SEB (1 μg / ml) was used as a positive control stimulus. Production of IFN-γ by a pair of specific monoclonal antibodies (1D1-k and 7-B6-1, both Mabtech, Nacka Strand, Sweden) after incubation for 26 hours at 37 ° C. and 7.5% CO ₂ Was detected. ExtraAvidin alkaline phosphatase and BCIP / NBT substrate (both Sigma-Aldrich) were added after 1 hour and 10 minutes, respectively. ELISPOT analysis was performed using an ImmunoSpot reader (Series 3A and 5; Cellular Technology Ltd, Aalen, Germany).

  The presence of IFN-γ producing T cells was recorded and tabulated for each peptide from each patient. As seen in FIG. 13, 8 out of 11 HLA class I binding peptides elicited a response in at least one patient. The most frequently seen response was elicited with PSMA711 (SEQ ID NO: 7) and induced peptide reactivity in 25 of 29 patients analyzed.

Example 3:
Reactivity to specific HLA class II binding peptides contained in the multipeptide cocktail was also tested after the treatment of Example 1.

Synthetic peptides and synthetic peptides used in stimulatory stimuli and functional tests are HIV-derived epitopes (HIVgag164-181: YVDRFYKTLRAEQASQEV (SEQ ID NO: 15), negative control); PSMA 459-473: NYTLRVDCTPPLMYSL (SEQ ID NO: 13), and Survivin 97 -111: TLGEFLKLDRAK (SEQ ID NO: 14).

In vitro amplification of specific T cells Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from prostate cancer patients 15 and 26 were collected at different time points during vaccination and frozen in liquid nitrogen with the addition of 90% fetal calf serum and 10% DMSO. saved. After thawing, approximately 5 × 10 6 cells were transformed into 50 U / ml penicillin, 50 μg / ml streptomycin (all Biowhittaker, Verviers, Belgium), 10% heat-inactivated human serum (cc pro, Neustadt, Germany) And in IMDM medium supplemented with 50 μM β-mercaptoethanol at 37 ° C. and 75% CO 2 (24-well cell medium plate, Greiner Bio-One, Frickenhausen, Germany). Pooled synthetic HLA class II binding peptides were added at 5 μg / ml each day to recombine human IL-2 (r-hIL2; R & Systems GmbH, Wiesbaden, Germany) at 3, 5, 7 for T cell stimulation. , Added to culture on day 9. After a 12 day stimulation period, the cells were collected, washed, counted and restimulated with peptide (10 μg / m) for 6 hours. According to the MACSIFN-γ secretion assay protocol (Miltenyi Biotech, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany), IFN-γ secreting cells are labeled with IFN-γ Catch Reagent and IFN-γ PE Antibodies, then FACSAria (BD Biosciences 150 using BD Biosciences 150). Sorted in 96 well plates containing IMDM with 10% HS along with / ml IL-2, 1 μg / ml PHA, and irradiated allogeneic feeder. IL-2 (150 U / ml) was added every 4 days, and feeder cells were added every 3 weeks.

Intracellular cytokine staining The effector was collected and washed according to the manufacturer's instructions, and 5 μg / ml in the presence of Golgi-STOP (BD Biosciences, Heidelberg, Germany) and Brefeldin A (10 μg / ml; Sigma-Aldrich). Stimulation in standard assays with HIV and PSMA and survivin peptide, or PMA and ionomycin (50 ng / ml and 1 μM, respectively). Following a 4-6 hour incubation, cells were washed with PBS supplemented with 2% FCS and 0.02% NaN ₃ to obtain monoclonal antibody (MoAb) CD4-APC-Cy7 (BD Biosciences) and CD8-PE-Cy7 (Beckman). Coulter) 4 = stained for 20 minutes in the dark. After the washing step, the cells were permeabilized with Cytofix / Cytoperm reagent (BD Biosciences) for 20 minutes and then stained with intracellular IFN-γ-FITC antibody (BD Biosciences) for intracellular IFN-γ. Cells were captured on a Cytometer Canto II using software Diva and analysis with FlowJo (BD Biosciences). In the multi-functional test, CD4-APC-Cy7 and CD8-PerCP were used for cell membrane staining, and IFN-gPE-Cy7, TNF-Pacific Blue, and IL-2-PE were used for intracellular staining (TNF-Pacific). Blue only Biolegend; others are all BD Biosciences). CD107a-FITC (BD Bioscience) was added at 1.5 μl / test during the stimulation period.

Functional testing of T cell clones using autologous dendritic cells Monocyte-derived immature autologous dendritic cells were IMDM 10% HS, 1% supplemented with 1000 U / ml IL-4 and 800 U / ml GM-CSF. Monocytes were generated by culturing for 7 days in PenStrep, 50 μM β mercaptoethanol. In functional experiments, dendritic cells are loaded with related HLA class II binding peptides (HIC, survivin or PSMA, 10 μg / ml) or pulsed with recombinant protein (survivin, PSMA or RAP-80, 20 μg / ml)) Collected, washed several times, and incubated with specific CD4 + T cell clones for 12 hours at a dendritic cell: effector ratio of 1: 5 prior to intracellular cytokine staining.

In a control experiment, 1 μg of recombinant protein was added 2 hours before at 37 ° C. in 100 μl of PBS, pH 7.2 containing 10 μg of proteolytic enzyme K (Macherey-Nagel, Dueren, Germany) in the presence of 1 mM CaCl _2. Processed. As an alternative, DC were fixed in glutaraldehyde (Sigma) at a final concentration of 0.05% for 15 seconds. The reaction was stopped with 0.2 M L-lysine (Sigma) and the DCs were washed twice before loading with peptide or protein.

HLA class II restricted determination Day 15 peptide presensitized PBMCs of patients 15 and 26 as effector cells and peptide loading (10 μg / ml peptide, overnight in IMDM with 2% FCSM) EBV as stimulator cells Peptide presentation assays were performed using a transformed cell line (see HLA-DR, DP, and DQ alleles in FIG. 21) at a 1: 1 effector to peptide presenting cell ratio. After 5 hours co-incubation, intracellular cytokine staining was performed as described above.

Claims (15)

A composition comprising at least two HLA binding peptides,
(A) at least one of the at least two HLA binding peptides is a peptide comprising the epitope set forth in SEQ ID NO: 23, or is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 23 comprising the 80 N-terminal amino acid of the HLA-DR antigen-related invariant chain A fusion protein of
(B) at least one of the at least two peptides is a peptide comprising an epitope selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-11, SEQ ID NO: 13-22, and SEQ ID NO: 24-42,
Composition.   The composition according to claim 1, wherein the composition comprises at least two peptides consisting of the amino acid sequences according to group b).   The composition comprises at least two peptides or at least four peptides or ten peptides consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9-11, comprising one peptide selected from the group of SEQ ID NO: 13 and SEQ ID NO: 14 and at least one peptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 15-22 and SEQ ID NO: 24-42 The composition of claim 1.   4. The composition of claim 3, wherein the additional peptide is selected according to the HLA set of the subject to be treated.   The composition comprises at least four peptides consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NOS: 9 to 11, SEQ ID NO: 13, and SEQ ID NO: The composition according to claim 1, comprising one peptide selected from the group of 14 and at least one peptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 15-22 and SEQ ID NOs: 24-42.   6. The composition of claim 5, wherein the at least one peptide is a class II peptide.   7. The composition of claims 1-6, further comprising one immune adjuvant, such as GMCSF and imiquimod, or a mixture of two or three immune adjuvants.   8. The composition of claim 7, wherein the immune adjuvant comprises a toll-like receptor agonist, such as a toll-like receptor 7 agonist.   7. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one antigen presenting cell such as a dendritic cell such as an autologous dendritic cell pulsed and loaded with a peptide.   The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 9, which is used in the treatment of prostate cancer.   11. The composition of claim 10, wherein prostate cancer is androgen sensitive and the patient has never received androgen block therapy.   11. The composition of claim 10, wherein the prostate cancer is androgen insensitive.   A method of treating prostate cancer comprising administering to a patient an effective amount of the composition of any one of claims 1-9.   14. The method of claim 13, wherein the prostate cancer is androgen sensitive and the patient has never received androgen block therapy. 15. The composition of claim 14, wherein the prostate cancer is androgen insensitive.