Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K35/00—Medicinal preparations containing materials or reaction products thereof with undetermined constitution
  • A61K35/12—Materials from mammals; Compositions comprising non-specified tissues or cells; Compositions comprising non-embryonic stem cells; Genetically modified cells
  • A61K35/14—Blood; Artificial blood
  • A61K35/17—Lymphocytes; B-cells; T-cells; Natural killer cells; Interferon-activated or cytokine-activated lymphocytes
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K38/00—Medicinal preparations containing peptides
  • A61K38/04—Peptides having up to 20 amino acids in a fully defined sequence; Derivatives thereof
  • A61K38/08—Peptides having 5 to 11 amino acids
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K39/00—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies
  • A61K39/0005—Vertebrate antigens
  • A61K39/0011—Cancer antigens
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K40/00—Cellular immunotherapy
  • A61K40/10—Cellular immunotherapy characterised by the cell type used
  • A61K40/11—T-cells, e.g. tumour infiltrating lymphocytes [TIL] or regulatory T [Treg] cells; Lymphokine-activated killer [LAK] cells
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K40/00—Cellular immunotherapy
  • A61K40/10—Cellular immunotherapy characterised by the cell type used
  • A61K40/19—Dendritic cells
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K40/00—Cellular immunotherapy
  • A61K40/20—Cellular immunotherapy characterised by the effect or the function of the cells
  • A61K40/24—Antigen-presenting cells [APC]
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K40/00—Cellular immunotherapy
  • A61K40/40—Cellular immunotherapy characterised by antigens that are targeted or presented by cells of the immune system
  • A61K40/41—Vertebrate antigens
  • A61K40/42—Cancer antigens
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P1/00—Drugs for disorders of the alimentary tract or the digestive system
  • A61P1/04—Drugs for disorders of the alimentary tract or the digestive system for ulcers, gastritis or reflux esophagitis, e.g. antacids, inhibitors of acid secretion, mucosal protectants
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P1/00—Drugs for disorders of the alimentary tract or the digestive system
  • A61P1/18—Drugs for disorders of the alimentary tract or the digestive system for pancreatic disorders, e.g. pancreatic enzymes
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P11/00—Drugs for disorders of the respiratory system
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P13/00—Drugs for disorders of the urinary system
  • A61P13/12—Drugs for disorders of the urinary system of the kidneys
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P25/00—Drugs for disorders of the nervous system
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P35/00—Antineoplastic agents
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P37/00—Drugs for immunological or allergic disorders
  • A61P37/02—Immunomodulators
  • A61P37/04—Immunostimulants
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K14/00—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
  • C07K14/435—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
  • C07K14/46—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans from vertebrates
  • C07K14/47—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans from vertebrates from mammals
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K14/00—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
  • C07K14/435—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
  • C07K14/46—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans from vertebrates
  • C07K14/47—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans from vertebrates from mammals
  • C07K14/4701—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans from vertebrates from mammals not used
  • C07K14/4748—Tumour specific antigens; Tumour rejection antigen precursors [TRAP], e.g. MAGE
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K14/00—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
  • C07K14/435—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
  • C07K14/475—Growth factors; Growth regulators
  • C07K14/495—Transforming growth factor [TGF]
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K14/00—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
  • C07K14/435—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
  • C07K14/705—Receptors; Cell surface antigens; Cell surface determinants
  • C07K14/70503—Immunoglobulin superfamily
  • C07K14/7051—T-cell receptor (TcR)-CD3 complex
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K14/00—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
  • C07K14/435—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
  • C07K14/705—Receptors; Cell surface antigens; Cell surface determinants
  • C07K14/70503—Immunoglobulin superfamily
  • C07K14/70539—MHC-molecules, e.g. HLA-molecules
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K16/00—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies
  • C07K16/40—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against enzymes
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K19/00—Hybrid peptides, i.e. peptides covalently bound to nucleic acids, or non-covalently bound protein-protein complexes
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K7/00—Peptides having 5 to 20 amino acids in a fully defined sequence; Derivatives thereof
  • C07K7/04—Linear peptides containing only normal peptide links
  • C07K7/06—Linear peptides containing only normal peptide links having 5 to 11 amino acids
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K7/00—Peptides having 5 to 20 amino acids in a fully defined sequence; Derivatives thereof
  • C07K7/04—Linear peptides containing only normal peptide links
  • C07K7/08—Linear peptides containing only normal peptide links having 12 to 20 amino acids
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
  • C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
  • C12N15/00—Mutation or genetic engineering; DNA or RNA concerning genetic engineering, vectors, e.g. plasmids, or their isolation, preparation or purification; Use of hosts therefor
  • C12N15/09—Recombinant DNA-technology
  • C12N15/63—Introduction of foreign genetic material using vectors; Vectors; Use of hosts therefor; Regulation of expression
  • C12N15/79—Vectors or expression systems specially adapted for eukaryotic hosts
  • C12N15/85—Vectors or expression systems specially adapted for eukaryotic hosts for animal cells
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
  • C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
  • C12N5/00—Undifferentiated human, animal or plant cells, e.g. cell lines; Tissues; Cultivation or maintenance thereof; Culture media therefor
  • C12N5/06—Animal cells or tissues; Human cells or tissues
  • C12N5/0602—Vertebrate cells
  • C12N5/0634—Cells from the blood or the immune system
  • C12N5/0636—T lymphocytes
  • C12N5/0638—Cytotoxic T lymphocytes [CTL] or lymphokine activated killer cells [LAK]
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
  • C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
  • C12N9/00—Enzymes; Proenzymes; Compositions thereof; Processes for preparing, activating, inhibiting, separating or purifying enzymes
  • C12N9/0004—Oxidoreductases (1.)
  • C12N9/0012—Oxidoreductases (1.) acting on nitrogen containing compounds as donors (1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7)
  • C12N9/0036—Oxidoreductases (1.) acting on nitrogen containing compounds as donors (1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7) acting on NADH or NADPH (1.6)
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
  • C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
  • C12N9/00—Enzymes; Proenzymes; Compositions thereof; Processes for preparing, activating, inhibiting, separating or purifying enzymes
  • C12N9/10—Transferases (2.)
  • C12N9/13—Transferases (2.) transferring sulfur containing groups (2.8)
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K39/00—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies
  • A61K2039/57—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies characterised by the type of response, e.g. Th1, Th2
  • A61K2039/572—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies characterised by the type of response, e.g. Th1, Th2 cytotoxic response
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K2239/00—Indexing codes associated with cellular immunotherapy of group A61K40/00
  • A61K2239/46—Indexing codes associated with cellular immunotherapy of group A61K40/00 characterised by the cancer treated
  • A61K2239/47—Brain; Nervous system
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K2239/00—Indexing codes associated with cellular immunotherapy of group A61K40/00
  • A61K2239/46—Indexing codes associated with cellular immunotherapy of group A61K40/00 characterised by the cancer treated
  • A61K2239/50—Colon
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K2239/00—Indexing codes associated with cellular immunotherapy of group A61K40/00
  • A61K2239/46—Indexing codes associated with cellular immunotherapy of group A61K40/00 characterised by the cancer treated
  • A61K2239/51—Stomach
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K2239/00—Indexing codes associated with cellular immunotherapy of group A61K40/00
  • A61K2239/46—Indexing codes associated with cellular immunotherapy of group A61K40/00 characterised by the cancer treated
  • A61K2239/54—Pancreas
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K2239/00—Indexing codes associated with cellular immunotherapy of group A61K40/00
  • A61K2239/46—Indexing codes associated with cellular immunotherapy of group A61K40/00 characterised by the cancer treated
  • A61K2239/55—Lung
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K2239/00—Indexing codes associated with cellular immunotherapy of group A61K40/00
  • A61K2239/46—Indexing codes associated with cellular immunotherapy of group A61K40/00 characterised by the cancer treated
  • A61K2239/56—Kidney
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K38/00—Medicinal preparations containing peptides
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K2317/00—Immunoglobulins specific features
  • C07K2317/30—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by aspects of specificity or valency
  • C07K2317/34—Identification of a linear epitope shorter than 20 amino acid residues or of a conformational epitope defined by amino acid residues
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K2319/00—Fusion polypeptide
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
  • C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
  • C12N2502/00—Coculture with; Conditioned medium produced by
  • C12N2502/11—Coculture with; Conditioned medium produced by blood or immune system cells
  • C12N2502/1157—Monocytes, macrophages
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
  • C12Y—ENZYMES
  • C12Y208/00—Transferases transferring sulfur-containing groups (2.8)
  • C12Y208/02—Sulfotransferases (2.8.2)
  • C12Y208/02011—Galactosylceramide sulfotransferase (2.8.2.11)

Definitions

• the present invention relates to novel amino acid sequences of peptides derived from tumour associated antigens that are able to bind to MHC complexes of either class, and elicit an immune response.
• CD8-positive T-cells in particular, which recognise Class I molecules of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-bearing peptides of usually 8 to 10 amino acid residues derived from proteins or defect ribosomal products (DRIPS) (Schubert U, Anton LC, Gibbs J, Norbury CC, Yewdell JW, Bennink JR.; Rapid degradation of a large fraction of newly synthesized proteins by proteasomes; Nature 2000; 404(6779):770-774) located in the cytosol, play an important role in this response.
• MHC-molecules of the human are also designated as human leukocyte-antigens (HLA).
• MHC-molecules There are two classes of MHC-molecules: MHC class I molecules that can be found on most cells having a nucleus which present peptides that result from proteolytic cleavage of endogenous proteins, DRIPS, and larger peptides. MHC class II molecules can be found predominantly on professional antigen presenting cells (APCs), and present peptides of exogenous proteins that are taken up by APCs during the course of endocytosis, and are subsequently processed (Cresswell P. Annu. Rev. Immunol. 1994; 12:259-93).
• APIs professional antigen presenting cells
• CD4-positive T-cells recognizing peptides from tumour-associated antigens presented by HLA class II molecules can counteract tumour progression via the induction of antibody (Ab) responses (Kennedy, R.C., M.H. Shearer, A.M. Watts, and R.K. Bright, 2003.
• CD4 + T lymphocytes play a critical role in antibody production and tumour immunity against simian virus 40 large tumour antigen. Cancer Res. 63:1040-1045).
• tumour-associated peptides binding to HLA class I molecules only a small number of class II ligands of TAA have been described so far (www.cancerimmunity.org, www.syfpeithi.de).
• HLA class II molecules Since the constitutive expression of HLA class II molecules is usually limited to cells of the immune system (Mach, B., V. Steimle, E. Martinez-Soria, and W. Reith. 1996. Regulation of MHC class II genes: lessons from a disease. Annu. Rev. Immunol. 14:301-331), the possibility of isolating class II peptides directly from primary tumours was not considered possible. However, Dengjel et al.
• tumour associated antigens include tissue-specific antigens, such as CT ("cancer testis”)- antigens that are expressed in different kinds of tumours and in healthy tissue of the testis.
• CT cancer testis
• tumour suppressor genes which is an example for a tumour suppressor gene
• ras which is an example for a tumour suppressor gene
• c-met myc
• pRB pRB
• VHL pRB
• HER-2/neu normal cellular proteins that control cell growth and differentiation
• p53 which is an example for a tumour suppressor gene
• ras c-met
• myc pRB
• VHL pRB
• HER-2/neu HER-2/neu
• mutant proteins can also be a target of a tumour specific immune response in multiple types of cancer.
• any peptide able to bind a MHC molecule may function as a T-cell epitope.
• a prerequisite for the induction of an in vitro or in vivo T-cell-response is the presence of a T- cell with a corresponding TCR and the absence of immunological tolerance for this particular epitope.
• Fig. 1 shows the ESI-liquid chromatography mass spectra identifying tumour associated peptide (TUMAP) PCN-002 from colon carcinoma sample CCA707 (Fig. Ia), TOP-002 from glioblastoma sample GB 1006 (Fig. Ib), PTP-001 from glioblastoma sample GB 1006 (Fig. Ic), GAL-001 from renal cell carcinoma sample RCC 190 (Fig. Id), CHI-001 from glioblastoma sample GB 1002 (Fig. Ie), JAK-001 from glioblastoma sample GB 1002 (Fig. If), AKR-001 from non-small lung cell cancer NSCLC-Pool 2 (Fig. Ig), and FNI-001 from pancreatic carcinoma sample PC330 (Fig. Ih) that were presented in a MHC class I restricted manner.
• TUMAP tumour associated peptide
• Fig. 3 depicts the expression profiles of two genes encoding glioblastoma associated peptides PTP-OOl (Fig. 3a) and CHI-001 (Fig. 3b). Expression of the genes is absent or very low in normal tissues while increased up to more than 250-fold in glioblastoma samples (GB1006T to GBlOl IT; NCH359T and NCH361T).
• TGFBI TGFBI was identified as one of only nine genes described as upregulated repeatedly (4 studies for TGFBI) (Shih, W, Chetty, R, and Tsao, MS; Expression profiling by microarrays in colorectal cancer, Oncol. Rep., 2005, 13, 517-524).
• EGFR abnormalities are one of the most common molecular aberrations in glioblastoma (Zawrocki, A and Biernat, W; Epidermal growth factor receptor in glioblastoma, Folia Neuropathol., 2005, 43, 123-132).
• the EGFR amplification and mRNA overexpression are frequent in high grade gliomas of astrocytic origin, and are always strongly associated with an increased level of the EGFR protein (Wong, AJ, Bigner, SH, Bigner, DD, Kinzler, KW, Hamilton, SR, and Vogelstein, B; Increased expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor gene in malignant gliomas is invariably associated with gene amplification, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S.
• h-R3 is a humanized monoclonal antibody that recognize the EGFR external domain with high affinity, inhibiting tyrosine kinase activation.
• a Phase I/II trial was conducted (Ramos, TC, Figueredo, J, Catala, M, Gonzalez, S, Selva, JC, Cruz, TM, Toledo, C, Silva, S, Pestano, Y, Ramos, M, Leonard, I, Torres, O, Marinello, P, Perez, R, and Lü, A;
• Treatment of high-grade glioma patients with the humanized anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibody h-R3 report from a phase I/II trial, Cancer Biol Ther., 2006,
• CHI3L2 was originally identified from chondrocytes. It has been frequently described as a target antigen in rheumatoid arthritis. No relevant association of CHI3L2 with cancer was identified.
• Chitinase 3-like proteins have been implied in stimulating proliferation of human connective tissue cells, e.g. fibroblasts, by activating extracellular signal-regulated kinase and PKB mediated signalling pathways (Recklies AD, White C, Ling H; The chitinase 3-like protein human cartilage glycoprotein 39 (HC-gp39) stimulates proliferation of human connective-tissue cells and activates both extracellular signal-regulated kinase- and protein kinase B-mediated signalling pathways; Biochem J.
• Doublecortin and CaM kinase-like 2 (DCAMKL2)
• the microtubule (MT)-associated DCX protein plays an essential role in the development of the mammalian cerebral cortex. Identification of a protein kinase, doublecortin kinase-2 (DCAMKL2), with a domain (DC) highly homologous to DCX was reported. DCAMKL2 has MT binding activity associated with its DC domain and protein kinase activity mediated by a kinase domain, organized in a structure in which the two domains are functionally independent.
• DCAMKL2 doublecortin kinase-2
• DCAMKL2 should be considered a potential candidate mediator of the rapid cytoskeletal rearrangements that occur in response to neuronal signalling events (Edelman, AM, Kim, WY, Higgins, D, Goldstein, EG, Oberdoerster, M, and NASAdson, W; Doublecortin kinase-2, a novel doublecortin-related protein kinase associated with terminal segments of axons and dendrites, J Biol Chem., 2005, 280, 8531-8543).
• KCNJlO channels are primarily responsible for significant hyperpolarization of cortical astrocytes and are likely to play a major role in potassium buffering.
• a peptide may be modified so that it at least maintains, if not improves, the ability to interact with and bind a suitable MHC molecule, such as HLA-A or -DR, and so that it at least maintains, if not improves, the ability to generate activated CTL that can recognize and kill cells that express a polypeptide containing an amino acid sequence as defined in the aspects of the invention.
• a suitable MHC molecule such as HLA-A or -DR
• activated CTL that can recognize and kill cells that express a polypeptide containing an amino acid sequence as defined in the aspects of the invention.
• certain positions of HLA-A binding peptides are typically anchor residues forming a core sequence fitting to the binding motif of the HLA binding groove.
• MHC class I epitopes although usually between 8-10 amino acids long, are generated by peptide processing from longer peptides or proteins that include the actual epitope. Similar to MHC class II epitopes, it is preferred that the residues that flank the binding region do not substantially affect the ability of the peptide to bind specifically to the binding groove of the MHC class I molecule or to present the peptide to the CTL nor mask the sites for proteolytic cleavage necessary to expose the actual epitope during processing. Accordingly the present invention also provides peptides and variants of MHC class I epitopes having an overall length of between 8 and 100, preferably between 8 and 30, and most preferred between 8 and 16, namely 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 amino acids.
• the peptide consists or consists essentially of an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID No. 1 to SEQ ID No. 29.
• the peptide of the present invention is a fusion protein which comprises, for example, the 80 N-terminal amino acids of the HLA-DR antigen-associated invariant chain (p33, in the following "Ii") as derived from the NCBI, GenBank Accession-number X00497 (Strubin, M., Mach, B. and Long, E. O.
• the complete sequence of the mRNA for the HLA- DR-associated invariant chain reveals a polypeptide with an unusual transmembrane polarity EMBO J. 1984, 3 (4), 869-872).
• Chemical modification of amino acids includes but is not limited to, modification by acylation, amidination, pyridoxylation of lysine, reductive alkylation, trinitrobenzylation of amino groups with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS), amide modification of carboxyl groups and sulphydryl modification by performic acid oxidation of cysteine to cysteic acid, formation of mercurial derivatives, formation of mixed disulphides with other thiol compounds, reaction with maleimide, carboxymethylation with iodoacetic acid or iodoacetamide and carbamoylation with cyanate at alkaline pH, although without limitation thereto.
• TNBS 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid
• the solid-phase support is based on a polydimethyl-acrylamide polymer constituted from the three monomers dimethylacrylamide (backbone-monomer), bisacryloylethylene diamine (cross linker) and acryloylsarcosine methyl ester (functionalising agent).
• the peptide-to-resin cleavable linked agent used is the acid-labile 4-hydroxymethyl-phenoxyacetic acid derivative. All amino acid derivatives are added as their preformed symmetrical anhydride derivatives with the exception of asparagine and glutamine, which are added using a reversed N, N-dicyclohexyl- carbodiimide/lhydroxybenzotriazole mediated coupling procedure.
• a variety of methods have been developed to operably link polynucleotides, especially DNA, to vectors for example via complementary cohesive termini. For instance, complementary homopolymer tracts can be added to the DNA segment to be inserted to the vector DNA. The vector and DNA segment are then joined by hydrogen bonding between the complementary homopolymeric tails to form recombinant DNA molecules.
• Synthetic linkers containing one or more restriction sites provide an alternative method of joining the DNA segment to vectors.
• Synthetic linkers containing a variety of restriction endonuclease sites are commercially available from a number of sources including International Biotechnologies Inc, New Haven, CN, USA.
• DNA (or in the case of retroviral vectors, RNA) encoding the polypeptide constituting the compound of the invention may be joined to a wide variety of other DNA sequences for introduction into an appropriate host.
• the companion DNA will depend upon the nature of the host, the manner of the introduction of the DNA into the host, and whether episomal maintenance or integration is desired.
• a typical mammalian cell vector plasmid is pSVL available from Pharmacia, Piscataway, NJ, USA.
• An example of an inducible mammalian expression vector is pMSG, also available from Pharmacia.
• Useful yeast plasmid vectors are pRS403-406 and pRS413-416 and are generally available from Stratagene Cloning Systems, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
• Plasmids pRS403, pRS404, pRS405 and pRS406 are Yeast Integrating plasmids (Yips) and incorporate the yeast selectable markers HIS3, TRPl, LEU2 and URA3.
• Plasmids pRS413-416 are Yeast Centromere plasmids (Ycps).
• Other vectors and expression systems are well known in the art for use with a variety of host cells.
• Successfully transformed cells i.e. cells that contain a DNA construct of the present invention, can be identified by well known techniques such as PCR. Alternatively, the presence of the protein in the supernatant can be detected using antibodies.
• the host cell is an antigen presenting cell, in particular a dendritic cell or antigen presenting cell.
• APCs loaded with a recombinant fusion protein containing prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) are currently under investigation for the treatment of prostate cancer (Sipuleucel-T) (Small EJ, Schellhammer PF, Higano CS, Redfern CH, Nemunaitis JJ, Valone FH, Verjee SS, Jones LA, Hershberg RM.; Placebo-controlled phase 3 trial of immunologic therapy with sipuleucel-T (APC8015) in patients with metastatic, asymptomatic hormone refractory prostate cancer; J Clin Oncol.
• PAP prostatic acid phosphatase
• a further aspect of the invention provides a method of producing a peptide or its variant.
• the method comprises culturing the host cell and isolating the peptide from the host cell or its culture medium.
• the peptide, the nucleic acid or the expression vector of the invention are used in medicine.
• the peptide or its variant may be prepared for intravenous (i.v.) injection, sub-cutaneous (s.c.) injection, intradermal (i.d.) injection, intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection, intramuscular (i.m.) injection.
• Preferred routes of peptide injection are s.c, i.d., i.p., i.m., and i.v.
• Preferred routes of DNA injection are i.d., i.m., s.c, i.p. and i.v.
• An important aspect of the present invention is an in vitro method for producing activated CTL.
• the method comprising contacting in vitro CTL with antigen loaded human class I or II MHC molecules expressed on the surface of a suitable antigen-presenting cell for a period of time sufficient to activate the CTL in an antigen specific manner.
• the antigen is a peptide according to the invention.
• Preferably a sufficient amount of the antigen is used with an antigen-presenting cell.
• the CTL are CD4-positive helper cells, preferably of Tm-type.
• the MHC class II molecules may be expressed on the surface of any suitable cell and preferred the cell does not naturally express MHC class II molecules (in which case the cell is transfected to express such a molecule).
• the cell if the cell naturally expresses MHC class II molecules, the cell is defective in the antigen-processing or antigen-presenting pathways. In this way, it is possible for the cell expressing the MHC class II molecule to be primed substantially completely with a chosen peptide antigen before activating the CTL.
• the antigen-presenting cell typically has MHC class II molecules on its surface and preferably is itself substantially incapable of loading said MHC class II molecule with the selected antigen.
• the MHC class II molecule may readily be loaded with the selected antigen in vitro.
• nucleic acid sequences of numerous MHC class II molecules, and of the costimulator molecules, are publicly available from the GenBank and EMBL databases.
• the CTL are CD8-positive helper cells.
• the MHC class I molecules may be expressed on the surface of any suitable cell and it is preferred that cell does not naturally express MHC class I molecules (in which case the cell is transfected to express such a molecule).
• the cell naturally expresses MHC class I molecules is defective in the antigen-processing or antigen-presenting pathways. In this way, it is possible for the cell expressing the MHC class I molecule to be primed substantially completely with a chosen peptide antigen before activating the CTL.
• Activated CTLs produced by the above method will selectively recognise a cell that aberrantly expresses a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 1 to 29.
• the CTL recognises the cell by interacting through its TCR with the HLA/peptide- complex (for example, binding).
• CTLs are useful in a method of killing target cells in a patient wherein the target cells aberrantly express a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence of the invention
• the patient is administered an effective number of the activated CTLs.
• the CTLs administered to the patient may be derived from the patient and activated as described above (i.e. they are autologous CTLs).
• the CTLs are not from the patient but are from another individual.
• the donor is a healthy individual.
• healthy individual it is meant that the individual is generally in good health, preferably has a competent immune system and, more preferably, is not suffering from any disease that can be readily tested for, and detected.
• CTL may be obtained by methods known in the art, e.g. those described above.
• Protocols for this so-called adoptive transfer of CTL are well known in the art and can be found, e.g. in (Rosenberg, SA, Lotze, MT, Muul, LM, Chang, AE, Avis, FP, Leitman, S, Linehan, WM, Robertson, CN, Lee, RE, Rubin, JT, et al., A progress report on the treatment of 157 patients with advanced cancer using lymphokine-activated killer cells and interleukin-2 or high-dose interleukin-2 alone, N. Engl. J.
• Any molecule of the invention i.e. the peptide, nucleic acid, expression vector, cell, activated CTL, T-cell receptor or the nucleic acid encoding it is useful for the treatment of disorders, characterised by cells escaping an immune response. Therefore any molecule of the present invention may be used as medicament or in the manufacture of a medicament.
• the molecule may be used by itself or combined with other molecule(s) of the invention or (a) known molecule(s).
• the medicament is a vaccine. It may be administered directly into the patient, into the affected organ or systemically, or applied ex vivo to cells derived from the patient or a human cell line which are subsequently administered to the patient, or used in vitro to select a subpopulation from immune cells derived from the patient, which are then re-administered to the patient. If the nucleic acid is administered to cells in vitro, it may be useful for the cells to be transfected so as to co-express immune-stimulating cytokines, such as interleukin-2.
• cytokines such as interleukin-2.
• the peptide may be substantially pure, or combined with an immune-stimulating adjuvant(see below) or used in combination with immune-stimulatory cytokines, or be administered with a suitable delivery system, for example liposomes.
• the peptide may also be conjugated to a suitable carrier such as keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH) or mannan (see WO 95/18145 and Longenecker et al (1993) Ann. NY Acad. Sci. 690,276-291).
• KLH keyhole limpet haemocyanin
• mannan see WO 95/18145 and Longenecker et al (1993) Ann. NY Acad. Sci. 690,276-291.
• the peptide may also be tagged, or be a fusion protein, or be a hybrid molecule.
• the peptides of the present invention are expected to stimulate CD4 or CD8 CTLs.
• the fusion partner or sections of a hybrid molecule suitably provide epitopes that stimulate CD8-positive T-cells.
• the fusion partner or sections of a hybrid molecule suitably provide epitopes that stimulate CD4-positive T-cells.
• CD4- and CD 8 -stimulating epitopes are well known in the art and include those identified in the present invention.
• the vaccine comprises at least one peptide, preferably two to 50, more preferably two to 25, even more preferably two to 15 and most preferably two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve or thirteen peptides of the invention or additional peptides.
• the peptide(s) may be derived from one or more specific TAAs and may bind to MHC class I and/or class II molecules.
• the peptides of the invention are used in a vaccine or medicament of the invention, they are present as a salt, such as for example, but not limited to an acetate salt or a chloride salt.
• Example 7 provides studies of a vaccine IMA-910, which contains some of the peptides of the present invention and describes the preparation of the vaccine using peptides in their salt form and their particle size.
• the polynucleotide may be substantially pure, or contained in a suitable vector or delivery system.
• the nucleic acid may be may be DNA, cDNA, PNA, CNA, RNA or a combination thereof. Methods for designing and introducing such a nucleic acid are well known in the art. An overview is provided by e.g. S. Pascolo: Vaccination with messenger RNA Methods MoI Med 2006, 127; 23-40; R. Stan, JD Wolchok and AD Cohen DNA vaccines against cancer Hematol Oncol Clin North Am 2006, 3; 613-636 or A Mahdavi and BJ Monk Recent advances in human papillomavirus vaccines Curr Oncol Rep 2006, 6, 465-472.
• Suitable vectors and delivery systems include viral DNA and/or RNA, such as systems based on adenovirus, vaccinia virus, retroviruses, herpes virus, adeno-associated virus or hybrids containing elements of more than one virus.
• Non-viral delivery systems include cationic lipids and cationic polymers and are well known in the art of DNA delivery. Physical delivery, such as via a "gene-gun", may also be used.
• the peptide or peptide encoded by the nucleic acid may be a fusion protein, for example with an epitope that stimulates T-cells for the respective opposite CDR as noted above.
• Suitable adjuvants include, but are not limited to 1018 ISS, aluminium salts, Amplivax, AS15, BCG, CP-870,893, CpG7909, CyaA, dSLIM, GM-CSF, IC30, IC31, Imiquimod, ImuFact IMP321, IS Patch, ISS, ISCOMATRIX, Juvlmmune, LipoVac, MF59, monophosphoryl lipid A, Montanide IMS 1312, Montanide ISA 206, Montanide ISA 50V, Montanide ISA-51, OK-432, OM- 174, OM- 197-MP-EC, ONTAK, PepTel® vector system, PLG microparticles, resiquimod, SRL 172, Virosomes and other Virus-like particles, YF-17D, VEGF trap, R848, beta-glucan, Pam3Cys, Aquila's QS21 stimulon, which is derived from sapon
• Adjuvants such as Freund's or GM-CSF are preferred.
• Several immunological adjuvants e.g., MF59
• MF59 immunological adjuvants specific for dendritic cells and their preparation have been described previously ( Dupuis M, Murphy TJ, Higgins D, Ugozzoli M, van Nest G, Ott G, McDonald DM; Dendritic cells internalize vaccine adjuvant after intramuscular injection; Cell Immunol. 1998; 186(l):18-27; Allison AC; The mode of action of immunological adjuvants; Dev Biol Stand. 1998; 92:3-11). Also cytokines may be used.
• cytokines have been directly linked to influencing dendritic cell migration to lymphoid tissues (e.g., TNF- ⁇ ), accelerating the maturation of dendritic cells into efficient antigen-presenting cells for T-lymphocytes (e.g., GM-CSF, IL-I and IL-4) (U.S. Pat. No. 5,849,589, specifically incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) and acting as immunoadjuvants (e.g., IL-12) (Gabrilovich DI, Cunningham HT, Carbone DP; IL-12 and mutant P53 peptide-pulsed dendritic cells for the specific immunotherapy of cancer; J Immunother Emphasis Tumor Immunol. 1996 (6):414- 418).
• CpG immunostimulatory oligonucleotides have also been reported to enhance the effects of adjuvants in a vaccine setting.
• CpG oligonucleotides act by activating the innate (non-adaptive) immune system via Toll-like receptors (TLR), mainly TLR9.
• TLR Toll-like receptors
• CpG triggered TLR9 activation enhances antigen-specific humoral and cellular responses to a wide variety of antigens, including peptide or protein antigens, live or killed viruses, dendritic cell vaccines, autologous cellular vaccines and polysaccharide conjugates in both prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines.
• CpGs e.g. CpR, Idera
• Poly(I:C) such as AmpliGen, non-CpG bacterial DNA or RNA as well as immunoactive small molecules and antibodies such as cyclophosphamide, sunitinib, Bavacizumab, celebrex, NCX-4016, sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, sorafinib, XL-999, CP- 547632, pazopanib, ZD2171, AZD2171, anti-CTLA4 and SC58175, which may act therapeutically and/or as an adjuvant.
• the amounts and concentrations of adjuvants and additives useful in the context of the present invention can readily be determined by the skilled artisan without undue experimentation.
• the cancer may be non-metastatic or metastatic in particular cancer of the buccal cavity and pharynx, cancer of the digestive tract, cancer of the colon, rectum, and anus, cancer of the respiratory tract, breast cancer, cancer of the cervix uteri, vagina, and vulva, cancer of the uterine corpus and ovary, cancer of the male genital tract, cancer of the urinary tract, cancer of the bone and soft tissue, and kaposi sarcoma, melanoma of the skin, eye melanoma, and non-melanoma eye cancer, cancer of the brain and central nervous system, cancer of the thyroid and other endocrine glands, Hodgkin Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, and myeloma.
• the neoplastic disorder treated by the method of the current invention is colorectal cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, gastric cancer, renal cancer, GIST or glioblastoma. Since the peptides of the invention were isolated from glioblastoma, colorectal, pancreatic, lung, renal or gastric cancer, the medicament of the invention will be particularly useful if cancer to be treated is glioblastoma, colorectal, pancreatic, lung, renal or gastric cancer.
• the peptides of the present invention are also useful as diagnostics. Since the peptides were generated from glioblastoma and since it was determined that these peptides are not present in normal tissues, these peptides can be used to diagnose the presence of a cancer.
• tissue biopsies can assist a pathologist in diagnosis of cancer. Detection of certain peptides of the present invention by means of antibodies, mass spectrometry or other methods known in the art can tell the pathologist that the tissue is malignant or inflamed or generally diseased. Presence of groups of peptides of the present invention can enable classification or subclassification of diseased tissues.
• the peptides of the present invention might be used to analyze lymphocyte responses against those peptides of the present invention, such as T cell responses or antibody responses against the peptides of the present invention or the peptides of the present invention complexed to MHC molecules. These lymphocyte responses can be used as prognostic markers for decision on further therapy steps. These responses can also be used as surrogate markers in immunotherapy approaches aiming to induce lymphocyte responses by different means, e.g. vaccination of protein, nucleic acids, autologous materials, adoptive transfer of lymphocytes. In gene therapy settings, lymphocyte responses against the peptides of the present invention can be considered in the assessment of side effects.
• the peptides of the present invention can be used to generate and develop specific antibodies against MHC/peptide complexes. These can be used for therapy, targeting toxins or radioactive substances to the diseased tissue. Another use of these antibodies can be targeting radionuclides to the diseased tissue for imaging purposes, such as PET. This use can help to detect small metastases or to determine the size and precise localization of diseased tissues.
• the peptides can be used to verify a pathologist's diagnosis of a cancer based on a biopsied sample.
• Kits of the present invention preferably comprise a lyophilized formulation of the present invention in a suitable container and instructions for its reconstitution and/or use.
• Suitable containers include, for example, bottles, vials (e.g. 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.
• the kit and/or container contains instructions on or associated with the container that indicates directions for reconstitution and/or use.
• the label may indicate that the lyophilized formulation is to reconstituted to peptide concentrations as described above.
• the label may further indicate that the formulation is useful or intended for subcutaneous administration.
• the container holding the formulation may be a multi-use vial, which allows for repeat administrations (e.g., from 2-6 administrations) of the reconstituted formulation.
• the kit may further comprise a second container comprising a suitable diluent (e.g., sodium bicarbonate solution).
• a suitable diluent e.g., sodium bicarbonate solution.
• the kit may further include other materials desirable from a commercial and user standpoint, including other buffers, diluents, filters, needles, syringes, and package inserts with instructions for use.
• kits of the invention include a formulation of the invention packaged for use in combination with the co-administration of a second compound (such as adjuvants (e.g. GM- CSF), a chemotherapeutic agent, a natural product, a hormone or antagonist, a anti- angiogenesis agent or inhibitor, a apoptosis-inducing agent or a chelator) or a pharmaceutical composition thereof.
• a second compound such as adjuvants (e.g. GM- CSF), a chemotherapeutic agent, a natural product, a hormone or antagonist, a anti- angiogenesis agent or inhibitor, a apoptosis-inducing agent or a chelator) or a pharmaceutical composition thereof.
• a second compound such as adjuvants (e.g. GM- CSF), a chemotherapeutic agent, a natural product, a hormone or antagonist, a anti- angiogenesis agent or inhibitor, a apoptosis-inducing agent or a
• the container of a therapeutic kit may be a vial, test tube, flask, bottle, syringe, or any other means of enclosing a solid or liquid.
• the kit will contain a second vial or other container, which allows for separate dosing.
• the kit may also contain another container for a pharmaceutically acceptable liquid.
• a therapeutic kit will contain an apparatus (e.g., one or more needles, syringes, eye droppers, pipette, etc.), which enables administration of the agents of the invention that are components of the present kit.
• HLA peptide pools from shock-frozen tissue samples were obtained by immune precipitation from solid tissues according to a slightly modified protocol (FaIk, K., Rotzschke, O., Stevanovic, S., Jung, G. and Rammensee, H.G. Allele-specific motifs revealed by sequencing of self-peptides eluted from MHC molecules. Nature 351, 290-296 (1991); Seeger, F.H. et al. The HLA-A* 6601 peptide motif: prediction by pocket structure and verification by peptide analysis.
• ESI-LCMS ESI-liquid chromatography mass spectrometry
• Fig 1 and Fig 2 show exemplary spectra obtained from tumour tissue for MHC class I associated TUMAPs (Fig. Ia-Ih) and MHC class II associated TUMAPs (Fig. 2a-2f).
• the peptides identified as being presented on the surface of tumour cells by MHC molecules are likely able to induce T-cells with a high specificity of recognition for the tissue from which they were derived.
• the inventors focused on those peptides that are derived from proteins that are overexpressed on tumour cells compared to the majority of normal tissues.
• RNA from healthy human tissues was obtained commercially (Ambion, Huntingdon, UK; Clontech, Heidelberg, Germany; Stratagene, Amsterdam, Netherlands; BioChain, Hayward, CA, USA). The RNA from several individuals (between 2 and 123 individuals) was mixed such that RNA from each individual was equally weighted. Leukocytes were isolated from blood samples of 4 healthy volunteers.
• RNA samples Quality and quantity of all RNA samples were assessed on an Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer (Agilent, Waldbronn, Germany) using the RNA 6000 Pico LabChip Kit (Agilent).
• HG Human Genome
• HG-U133 Plus 2.0 oligonucleotide microarrays Affymetrix, Santa Clara, CA, USA. All steps were carried out according to the Affymetrix manual (http://www.affymetrix.com/support/technical/manual/expression_manual.affx).
• double-stranded cDNA was synthesized from 5-8 ⁇ g of total RNA, using Superscript RTII (Invitrogen) and the oligo-dT-T7 primer (MWG Biotech, Ebersberg, Germany) as described in the manual.
• Fig. 3 shows such profiles for the genes of glioblastoma specific peptides PTP-OOl (gene: PTPRZl, Fig. 3a), and CHI-001 (gene: CH3L2, Fig. 3b).
• TUMAPs identified by the method of EXAMPLE 1 were systematically searched for on colorectal tumour samples by mass spectrometry.
• Solvent B was 2 mM ammonium acetate in 80% acetonitrile/water. Both solvents were adjusted to pH 3.0 with formic acid. A binary gradient of 15% to 60% B within 90 minutes was performed, applying a flow rate of 5 ⁇ l/min reduced to approximately 200 nl/min by a split-system. A gold coated glass capillary (PicoTip, New Objective) was used for introduction into the micro-ESI source. The integration time for the TOF analyzer was 1.9 s with an interscan delay of 0.1 s. For detection of defined peptides high sensitive screening was performed in this type of ESI-LCMS experiments on the basis of known molecular weights and retention times of the peptides in the chromatographic system.
• the CRC sample inclusion criterion for detection of previously identified TUMAP in these experiments was set to a minimal intensity of 650 counts per scan of the internal doubly charged standard signal (YLLPAIVHI) in the LCMS/MS experiment to assure a successful HLA peptide isolation and the correct performance of the analytical system.
• Table 2 shows the results of an analysis of colon and rectum cancer samples of different stages as well as metastases originating from either primary tumour site. All HLA-A*02 TUMAPs were found on the majority of samples. Re-detection frequencies of HLA-DR TUMAPs are generally lower. This can be expected because for HLA class II peptides, several length variants for each core sequence may exist. ODC-001, a TUMAP identified previously (M Diehl, PhD thesis 1998, University of Tuebingen) and known to be presented on a large number of colon tumours served as positive control.
• the HLA binding assay was performed using the ELISA EpI Kit (obtained from Soeren Buus, Institute of Medical Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark) according to Sylvester-Hvid (Sylvester-Hvid, C, Kristensen, N, Bö, T, Ferre, H, Lauemoller, SL, Wolf, XA, Lamberth, K, Nissen, MH, Pedersen, LO, and Buus, S; Establishment of a quantitative ELISA capable of determining peptide - MHC class I interaction, Tissue Antigens, 2002, 59, 251-258) and the ELISA EpI Kit manual by the manufacturer.
• Amplification buffer HRP-co ⁇ jugated goat anti-rabbit polymer
• mouse serum both supplied with the ELISA EpI Kit
• Development buffer Tetramethylbenzidine, TMB; ELISA EpI Kit
• TMB Tetramethylbenzidine
• ELISA EpI Kit ELISA EpI Kit
• KD values between 0.01 and 0.1 nM as observed for the majority of peptides represent already a strong binding. Similar affinities had been also observed for peptides contained in the renal cell carcinoma vaccine IMA901 that was successfully tested (H. Singh- Jasuja, S. Walter, T. Weinschenk, A. Mayer, P. Y. Dietrich, M. Staehler, A. Stenzl,
• PBMCs peripheral blood mononuclear cells
• TCM T-cell medium
• human in vitro priming consisting of RPMI-Glutamax (Invitrogen, Düsseldorf, Germany) supplemented with 10% heat inactivated human AB serum (PAA, Colbe, Germany), 100 U/ml Penicillin / 100 ⁇ g/ml Streptomycin (Cambrex, Verviers, Belgium), 1 mM sodium pyruvate (CC Pro, Neustadt, Germany) and 20 ⁇ g/ml Gentamycin (Cambrex).
• CD8+ lymphocytes were isolated using the CD8+ MACS positive selection kit (Miltenyi, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany) according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• biotinylated recombinant HLA-A* 0201 molecules lacking the transmembrane domain and being biotinylated at the carboxy terminus of the heavy chain were produced following a method described by Altaian et al. (Altaian, JD, Moss, PA, Goulder, PJ, Barouch, DH, Heyzer- Williams, MG, Bell, JI, McMichael, AJ, and Davis, MM; Phenotypic analysis of antigen-specific T lymphocytes, Science, 1996, 274, 94-96).
• pMHC was used as positive control and negative controls were A* 0201 /MLA-001 (peptide ELAGIGILTV from modified Melan- A/MART-1) and A*0201/DDX5-001 (YLLPAIVHI from DDX5) or A* 0201 /HBV-001 (FLPSDFFPSV), respectively.
• Peptides of the present invention were tested together with peptides of known in vivo immunogenicity for comparison.
• a representative staining showing generation of T-cell lines specific for NOX-OOl and ODC-OOl is shown in Figure 5. The results are summarized in table 3 below.
• Results of in vitro immunogenicity experiments conducted by the inventors are summarized here. Results shown have been obtained by stimulation of CD8+ cells with high density beads. As different human serum lots may highly affect the immunogenicity results, only assays in that one and the same serum lot was used, were evaluated together.
• T helper cells play an important role in supporting CTLs to activate and sustain immune responses against tumour cells. Therefore, MHC class II peptides were included in IMA910.
• TGFBI-004 one of the three class II peptides contained in IMA910, was tested for its immunogenic potential in vitro and proved to be an inducer of both specific CD4+ and CD 8+ T cells. The generation of CD4+ and functional CD8+ T lymphocytes was shown in experiments using stimulations performed in an autologous system.
• monocyte-depleted PBMCs of one healthy donor (HLA genotype class I: A1/A25/B8/B18 and class II: DQBl*02/DQBl*06/DRBl *03/DRBl* 15/DRB3/DRB5) were stimulated using peptide- pulsed autologous DCs and restimulated with autologous PBMCs plus peptide.
• HLA genotype class I A1/A25/B8/B18
• class II DQBl*02/DQBl*06/DRBl *03/DRBl* 15/DRB3/DRB5
• IFN ⁇ production upon short term restimulation was assessed by ELISPOT and flow cytometry.
• T cells were analyzed after eight stimulations by ELISPOT and intracellular IFN ⁇ staining plus CD4-FITC and CD8-PerCP to determine the percentage of IFN ⁇ -producing cells in specific T-cell subpopulations.
• ELISPOT enzyme-activated fluorescence-activated cell sorting
• DCs dendritic cells
• Human DCs were obtained from monocytes cultured in DC medium consisting of RPMI 1640-Glutamax/25mM Hepes (Invitrogen, Germany) supplemented with 10% autologous plasma // 100 U/ml penicillin and 100 ⁇ g/ml streptomycin.
• buffy coat and plasma was obtained by centrifugation of the blood from a healthy donor (Bloodbank Tubingen).
• PBMCs were then isolated from the buffy coat by standard density gradient separation (Lymphocyte Separation Medium, PAA, Austria) and resuspended in DC medium to determine total cell number.
• PBMCs peripheral blood leukocytes
• adherent monocytes were washed twice with 10 ml PBS and cultured for 6 days in 10 ml DC medium with 100 ng/ml GM-CSF and 30 ng/ml IL-4 (ImmunoTools, Germany) or 20 ng/ml (R&D systems, Germany).
• DCs were harvested on day 8 (see chapter 3.1, Generation of DCs). PBS with 5 mM EDTA was used for this purpose to gain as many cells as possible (including adherent cells). After being washed with DC medium, cell number was determined.
• peptide For loading with peptide, DCs were resuspended in 1 ml DC medium and incubated with 25 ⁇ g/ml peptide for 2 hours at 37° C.
• Peptides used for pulsing of DCs were TGFBI-004, Posmix (mix of EBV and CMV related peptides), Padre and CMV.
• Pulsing of PBMCs with peptide was performed as aforementioned (for DCs). On day 1 after the first restimulation, IL-2 (R&D Systems, Germany) and IL-7 was added to a final concentration of 2 ng/ml and 5 ng/ml, respectively. Afterwards, every 2nd day and every 7th day IL-2 and IL-7 were added to the media. Second restimulation was performed 7 days later, but this time peptide was added alone (without PBMCs) to the cultured CTLs. Restimulations were performed in a 7 day cycle, with peptide-loaded PBMCs and peptide alone being added alternatively. Analyses were performed after the eight stimulation by intracellular IFN ⁇ staining and IFN ⁇ ELISPOT.
• T-cell responses could be detected via ELISPOT in 2 out of 4 T-cell lines, whereas in 3 out of 4 T-cell lines TGFBI-004 specific IFN ⁇ producing CD4+ and/or CD8+ cells were shown via ICS.
• TGFBI-004 was able to elicit CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses in one donor tested with the above described experimental system. According to this promising result, it is likely that this peptide is immunogenic and has the capacity to induce T-cell responses.
• Immunogenicity of peptides included in the IMA910 vaccine was demonstrated in vitro by using immatics" TUMAP validation platform (immatics biotechnologies GmbH, Tubingen, Germany).
• the induction of specific T cells is an indication for the ability of peptides to successfully activate the immune system. Since efficient anti-tumour immune response is only possible when activated T cells are of high avidity and functional, the TUMAPs' ability to prime high avidity, functional T lymphocytes was investigated by testing their ability to produce IFN ⁇ or to kill tumour cell lines.
• Two peptides, NOX-OOl and TGFBI-OOl were chosen for deeper validation due to their capacity to induce high avidity CTLs in vitro. The results proved that high avidity precursor T cells exist against both peptides in humans and that functional CD8+ T cell lines could be generated by NOX-OOl .
• T cell lines can be divided into high- or low-avidity.
• isolated human CD8+ cells were primed and expanded by repeated in vitro stimulations with beads coated with low- density pMHC (peptide-MHC-complex) and anti-CD28 antibody in the presence of IL- 12 and IL-2. After three stimulations, a fraction of in vitro primed T cells were pMHC-tetramer stained and detected by cytometric analysis. Tetramer-positive cells of each donor were pooled afterwards according to the antigen specificity, stained with pMHC-tetramer and human anti-CD8-FITC antibody and finally subjected to FACS sorting on a FACSAria.
• Sorted cells were cultured and expanded in the presence of irradiated feeder cells, cytokines and mitogen. As a read-out for the generation of primed high avidity antigen specific cells, pMHC-tetramer staining was performed. To determine their functionality, IFN ⁇ production was assayed by ELISPOT and killing of tumour cell lines was examined using a cytotoxicity assay based on live/dead staining after restimulation of the cells with the corresponding peptide and tumour cell lines.
• Immunogenicity for a given antigen was detected if at least one evaluable in vitro stimulated well of one healthy donor was found to contain a specific CD8+ T-cell line after in vitro stimulation (i.e. this well contained at least 1% of specific tetramer+ among CD8+ T- cells and the percentage of specific tetramer+ cells was at least 10x the median of the negative control stimulations).
• Tetramer-positive cells of each donor were pooled afterwards according to the antigen specificity, stained with the corresponding pMHC-tetramer and human anti- CD8-FITC antibody clone SKl and finally subjected to FACS sorting on a FACSAria (BD Biosciences, Germany).
• Sorted cells were cultured in T cell medium (RPMI-Glutamax supplemented with 10% heat inactivated human AB serum, 100 U/ml penicillin, 100 ⁇ g/ml streptomycin, 1 mM sodium pyruvate and 20 ⁇ g/ml Gentamycin) in the presence of 5 x 105 cells/ml irradiated fresh allogeneic PBMCs, 5 x 10 4 cells/ml irradiated LG2-EBV cells, 150 U/ml IL-2 (Chiron, Kunststoff, Germany) and 0,5 ⁇ g/ml PHA-L (Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany). Expansion of these cells occurred in T cell medium containing 150 U/ml IL-2.
• pMHC-tetramer staining was performed as above and analyzed on a four-color FACSCalibur (BD Biosciences, Germany).
• IFN ⁇ production was assessed by ELISPOT (IFN ⁇ ELISPOT Set, BD, Germany) after restimulation of the cells with the corresponding peptide.
• ELISPOT IFN ⁇ ELISPOT Set, BD, Germany
• cell-mediated cytotoxicity of specific CTLs was investigated by killing of tumour cell lines using the LIVE/DEAD cell-mediated cytotoxicity Kit (L7010, Invitrogen, Germany). Both assays were performed according to manufacturer's instructions, except noted otherwise.
• NOX-001 as well as for TGFBI-001 specific T- cell lines could be established by FACS, thus demonstrating that high-avidity CD8+ T cell precursors exist in healthy donors.
• one T-cell line could be established that also proved to be functional by ELISPOT since it was specifically expressing IFN ⁇ after restimulation with this peptide (Fig. 8).
• Stable HLA/peptide complexes consist of three molecules: HLA heavy chain, beta-2 microglobulin (b2m) and the peptidic ligand.
• HLA heavy chain beta-2 microglobulin
• b2m beta-2 microglobulin
• the activity of denatured recombinant HLA- A*0201 heavy chain molecules alone can be preserved making them functional equivalents of "empty HLA-A*0201 molecules".

Landscapes

• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Organic Chemistry (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Medicinal Chemistry (AREA)
• Genetics & Genomics (AREA)
• Immunology (AREA)
• Zoology (AREA)
• Biochemistry (AREA)
• Bioinformatics & Cheminformatics (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Biomedical Technology (AREA)
• Molecular Biology (AREA)
• Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
• Biotechnology (AREA)
• Epidemiology (AREA)
• Pharmacology & Pharmacy (AREA)
• Proteomics, Peptides & Aminoacids (AREA)
• Biophysics (AREA)
• Cell Biology (AREA)
• Microbiology (AREA)
• Gastroenterology & Hepatology (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Toxicology (AREA)
• Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
• General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
• Hematology (AREA)
• Developmental Biology & Embryology (AREA)
• Virology (AREA)
• Mycology (AREA)
• Oncology (AREA)
• Plant Pathology (AREA)
• Pulmonology (AREA)
• Urology & Nephrology (AREA)
• Neurosurgery (AREA)

Priority Applications (15)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Related Child Applications (6)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=39766525

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (17)

Cited By (33)

Families Citing this family (30)

Citations (7)

Family Cites Families (57)

• 2008
  • 2008-07-25 CN CN201510814551.6A patent/CN105566450A/zh active Pending
  • 2008-07-25 CA CA2694805A patent/CA2694805C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2008-07-25 PL PL10014673T patent/PL2338907T3/pl unknown
  • 2008-07-25 UA UAA201001961A patent/UA103751C2/ru unknown
  • 2008-07-25 UA UAA201001962A patent/UA101810C2/ru unknown
  • 2008-07-25 PL PL12191628T patent/PL2562184T3/pl unknown
  • 2008-07-25 EP EP12191628.2A patent/EP2562184B1/en active Active
  • 2008-07-25 JP JP2010517325A patent/JP5484326B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2008-07-25 ES ES12191628.2T patent/ES2555282T3/es active Active
  • 2008-07-25 ES ES08785106.9T patent/ES2689725T3/es active Active
  • 2008-07-25 KR KR1020127005723A patent/KR101351195B1/ko not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2008-07-25 HU HUE12191623A patent/HUE027164T2/en unknown
  • 2008-07-25 KR KR1020137015148A patent/KR101313915B1/ko not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2008-07-25 US US12/180,045 patent/US8080634B2/en active Active
  • 2008-07-25 ES ES10014673.7T patent/ES2553207T3/es active Active
  • 2008-07-25 HU HUE10014673A patent/HUE026142T2/en unknown
  • 2008-07-25 EP EP15193843.8A patent/EP3042914B1/en active Active
  • 2008-07-25 EP EP12191621.7A patent/EP2562182B1/en active Active
  • 2008-07-25 CN CN200880100806.0A patent/CN101765610B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2008-07-25 ES ES15193843.8T patent/ES2689851T3/es active Active
  • 2008-07-25 ES ES12191631.6T patent/ES2553229T3/es active Active
  • 2008-07-25 EP EP10014673.7A patent/EP2338907B1/en active Active
  • 2008-07-25 PL PL15193843T patent/PL3042914T3/pl unknown
  • 2008-07-25 PL PL12191623T patent/PL2562183T3/pl unknown
  • 2008-07-25 EP EP12191631.6A patent/EP2565204B1/en active Active
  • 2008-07-25 EA EA201000207A patent/EA018456B1/ru not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2008-07-25 PL PL12191631T patent/PL2565204T3/pl unknown
  • 2008-07-25 WO PCT/EP2008/006153 patent/WO2009015842A2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2008-07-25 MX MX2010001090A patent/MX2010001090A/es active IP Right Grant
  • 2008-07-25 EP EP08785106.9A patent/EP2183278B1/en active Active
  • 2008-07-25 HU HUE12191621A patent/HUE026776T2/en unknown
  • 2008-07-25 BR BRPI0813626-2A2A patent/BRPI0813626A2/pt not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2008-07-25 ES ES12191623.3T patent/ES2551589T3/es active Active
  • 2008-07-25 PL PL12191621T patent/PL2562182T3/pl unknown
  • 2008-07-25 CN CN201310724191.1A patent/CN103864893B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2008-07-25 AU AU2008281014A patent/AU2008281014B2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2008-07-25 HU HUE12191631A patent/HUE025636T2/en unknown
  • 2008-07-25 HU HUE12191628A patent/HUE027057T2/en unknown
  • 2008-07-25 EP EP12191623.3A patent/EP2562183B1/en active Active
  • 2008-07-25 KR KR1020107001885A patent/KR101291394B1/ko not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2008-07-25 ES ES12191621.7T patent/ES2553270T3/es active Active
  • 2008-07-25 PL PL08785106T patent/PL2183278T3/pl unknown
  • 2008-07-25 NZ NZ582822A patent/NZ582822A/xx not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2010
  • 2010-10-29 US US12/915,473 patent/US8669230B2/en active Active
• 2013
  • 2013-12-23 US US14/138,421 patent/US9511128B2/en active Active
• 2014
  • 2014-01-23 JP JP2014010161A patent/JP5818920B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2015
  • 2015-09-11 JP JP2015179979A patent/JP2016040257A/ja active Pending
  • 2015-11-06 US US14/934,612 patent/US9950048B2/en active Active
  • 2015-11-18 JP JP2015225284A patent/JP6130469B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2016
  • 2016-10-06 HK HK16111627.0A patent/HK1223381A1/zh unknown
• 2018
  • 2018-11-20 US US16/196,402 patent/US10420800B2/en active Active

Patent Citations (7)

Non-Patent Citations (44)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events