WO2010143435A1 - Vaccine therapy for choroidal neovascularization - Google Patents

Vaccine therapy for choroidal neovascularization Download PDF

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WO2010143435A1
WO2010143435A1 PCT/JP2010/003871 JP2010003871W WO2010143435A1 WO 2010143435 A1 WO2010143435 A1 WO 2010143435A1 JP 2010003871 W JP2010003871 W JP 2010003871W WO 2010143435 A1 WO2010143435 A1 WO 2010143435A1
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amino acid
peptide
acid sequence
seq
nos
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French (fr)
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Motokazu Tsujikawa
Yusuke Nakamura
Takuya Tsunoda
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Oncotherapy Science Inc
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Oncotherapy Science Inc
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Priority to US13/377,110 priority Critical patent/US8975229B2/en
Priority to SG2011090933A priority patent/SG176737A1/en
Priority to CN2010800356548A priority patent/CN102802654A/zh
Priority to MX2011012659A priority patent/MX2011012659A/es
Priority to EP10785967.0A priority patent/EP2440226A4/en
Priority to CA2764562A priority patent/CA2764562A1/en
Priority to BRPI1013025A priority patent/BRPI1013025A2/pt
Priority to JP2011552249A priority patent/JP5688587B2/ja
Application filed by Oncotherapy Science Inc filed Critical Oncotherapy Science Inc
Priority to RU2012100241/15A priority patent/RU2555345C2/ru
Priority to AU2010259797A priority patent/AU2010259797B2/en
Publication of WO2010143435A1 publication Critical patent/WO2010143435A1/en
Priority to IL216402A priority patent/IL216402A0/en
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K48/00—Medicinal preparations containing genetic material which is inserted into cells of the living body to treat genetic diseases; Gene therapy
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
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    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
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    • B60N2/22—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the back-rest being adjustable
    • B60N2/225—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the back-rest being adjustable by cycloidal or planetary mechanisms
    • B60N2/2252—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the back-rest being adjustable by cycloidal or planetary mechanisms in which the central axis of the gearing lies inside the periphery of an orbital gear, e.g. one gear without sun gear
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K38/00—Medicinal preparations containing peptides
    • A61K38/16—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
    • A61K38/17—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K38/00—Medicinal preparations containing peptides
    • A61K38/16—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
    • A61K38/17—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
    • A61K38/177—Receptors; Cell surface antigens; Cell surface determinants
    • A61K38/179—Receptors; Cell surface antigens; Cell surface determinants for growth factors; for growth regulators
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K38/00—Medicinal preparations containing peptides
    • A61K38/16—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
    • A61K38/17—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
    • A61K38/18—Growth factors; Growth regulators
    • 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
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P27/00—Drugs for disorders of the senses
    • A61P27/02—Ophthalmic agents
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P27/00—Drugs for disorders of the senses
    • A61P27/02—Ophthalmic agents
    • A61P27/10—Ophthalmic agents for accommodation disorders, e.g. myopia
    • 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
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P9/00—Drugs for disorders of the cardiovascular system
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P9/00—Drugs for disorders of the cardiovascular system
    • A61P9/10—Drugs for disorders of the cardiovascular system for treating ischaemic or atherosclerotic diseases, e.g. antianginal drugs, coronary vasodilators, drugs for myocardial infarction, retinopathy, cerebrovascula insufficiency, renal arteriosclerosis
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K14/00—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
    • 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
    • C07K14/71—Receptors; Cell surface antigens; Cell surface determinants for growth factors; for growth regulators
    • 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
    • A61K2039/555—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies characterised by a specific combination antigen/adjuvant
    • A61K2039/55511—Organic adjuvants
    • A61K2039/55566—Emulsions, e.g. Freund's adjuvant, MF59
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K38/00—Medicinal preparations containing peptides

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines for treatment and/or prevention of diseases caused by neovascularization in the choroid (neovascular maculopathy).
  • the present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines for inhibiting neovascularization in the choroid.
  • Exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) caused by choroid neovascularization (CNV) is one of the major causes for severe visual impairment in developed countries.
  • AMD choroid neovascularization
  • CNV choroid neovascularization
  • VEGF vascular endothelial growth factor
  • VEGF signaling is mediated by two types of receptor tyrosine kinases, i.e., VEGF receptor 1 (VEGFR-1) and VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR-2).
  • the two receptors are expressed on the human CNV membrane and the laboratory mouse CNV membrane.
  • VEGFR-1 signal transduction pathway in CNV is still controversial. For example, one study reports that the inhibition of VEGFR-1 signaling by oral administration of an antibody, gene knockdown, or siRNA inhibits CNV.
  • Another study reports that in the eye, activation of VEGFR-1 by VEGF or placental growth factor 1 (PIGF1), which is a ligand of VEGFR-2, leads to activation of CNV via activation of VEGFR-2 by SPARC.
  • PIGF1 placental growth factor 1
  • VEGFR-2 the finding that activation of VEGFR-2 signaling promotes CNV growth is generally accepted.
  • antiangiogenic approaches targeting VEGFR-2 such as systemic or local administration of anti-VEGFR-2 agents or VEGFR-2 antibodies, and intravitreal administration of siRNA, are expected to inhibit VEGFR-2 signaling and CNV growth.
  • a vaccine using a peptide derived from human VEGF receptor 2 is known to induce cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs) in tumor tissues which have potent cytotoxicity against VEGFR-2-expressing endothelial cells (Patent Document 1).
  • CTLs cytotoxic T-lymphocytes
  • a vaccine using a peptide derived from human VEGF receptor 1 is also known to induce CTLs which have potent cytotoxicity against VEGFR-1-expressing endothelium (Patent Document 2).
  • a vaccine using a peptide derived from VEGF receptor 2 has been confirmed to have CNV inhibitory effects in mice (Patent Document 3).
  • CNV inhibitory effects in mice Patent Document 3
  • An objective to be achieved by the present invention is to provide novel pharmaceutical agents and methods for treating and/or preventing a disease caused by neovascularization in human choroid (neovascular maculopathy).
  • the present inventors administered a pharmaceutical composition/vaccine containing a VEGFR-1-derived peptide to neovascular maculopathy patients, and as a result discovered that this can effectively inhibit human CNV without causing problems suggestive of safety issue, and thereby completed the present invention.
  • the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for treating and/or preventing a disease caused by neovascularization in human choroid (neovascular maculopathy), comprising as an active ingredient at least a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-1 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof.
  • the present invention also provides a vaccine for treating and/or preventing a disease caused by neovascularization in human choroid, comprising as an active ingredient at least a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-1 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof.
  • the present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition for inhibiting neovascularization in human choroid, comprising as an active ingredient at least a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-1 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof.
  • the present invention provides a vaccine for inhibiting neovascularization in human choroid, comprising as an active ingredient at least a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-1 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof.
  • the present invention provides a method for treating and/or preventing a disease caused by neovascularization in human choroid, comprising the step of administering to a subject at least a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-1 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof .
  • the present invention also provides a method for inhibiting neovascularization in human choroid, comprising the step of administering to a subject at least a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-1 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof.
  • the present invention further provides use of a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-1 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof in manufacturing a pharmaceutical composition for treating and/or preventing a disease caused by neovascularization in human choroid.
  • the present invention provides use of a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-1 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof, in manufacturing a vaccine for treating and/or preventing a disease caused by neovascularization in human choroid.
  • the present invention also provides use of a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-1 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof, in manufacturing a pharmaceutical composition for inhibiting neovascularization in human choroid.
  • the present invention provides use of a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-1 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof, in manufacturing a vaccine for inhibiting neovascularization in human choroid.
  • the present invention further provides a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-1 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells for use in treating and/or preventing a disease caused by neovascularization in human choroid.
  • the present invention further provides a method or process for manufacturing a pharmaceutical composition for treating or preventing a disease caused by neovascularization in human choroid, wherein the method or process includes the step of formulating a pharmaceutically or physiologically acceptable carrier with an active ingredient of a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-1 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof.
  • the present invention also provides a method or process for manufacturing a pharmaceutical composition for treating or preventing a disease caused by neovascularization in human choroid, wherein the method or process includes the steps of admixing an active ingredient with a pharmaceutically or physiologically acceptable carrier, wherein the active ingredient is a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-1 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof.
  • VEGFR-1-derived peptide may also be administered in combination with a VEGFR-2-derived peptide for treating or inhibiting human CNV.
  • the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for treating and/or preventing a disease caused by neovascularization in human choroid (neovascular maculopathy), comprising as an active ingredient at least one type each of a peptide selected from the group consisting of; (a) a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-1 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof, and (b) a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-2 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof.
  • the present invention also provides a vaccine for treating and/or preventing a disease caused by neovascularization in human choroid, comprising as an active ingredient at least one type each of a peptide selected from the group consisting of; (a) a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-1 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof and (b) a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-2 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof.
  • the present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition for inhibiting neovascularization in human choroid, comprising as an active ingredient at least one type each of a peptide selected from the group consisting of; (a) a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-1 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof and (b) a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-2 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof.
  • a pharmaceutical composition for inhibiting neovascularization in human choroid comprising as an active ingredient at least one type each of a peptide selected from the group consisting of; (a) a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-1 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide
  • the present invention provides a vaccine for inhibiting neovascularization in human choroid, comprising as an active ingredient at least one type each of a peptide selected from the group consisting of; (a) a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-1 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof and (b) a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-2 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof.
  • the present invention provides a method for treating and/or preventing a disease caused by neovascularization in human choroid, comprising the step of administering to a subject at least one type each of a peptide selected from the group consisting of; (a) a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-1 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof and (b) a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-2 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof.
  • the present invention also provides a method for inhibiting neovascularization in human choroid, comprising the step of administering to a subject at least one type each of a peptide selected from the group consisting of; (a) a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-1 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof and (b) a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-2 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof.
  • a peptide selected from the group consisting of; (a) a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-1 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof and (b) a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEG
  • the present invention further provides use of a peptide selected from the group consisting of; (a) a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-1 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof and (b) a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-2 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, in manufacturing a pharmaceutical composition for treating and/or preventing a disease caused by neovascularization in human choroid.
  • the present invention provides use of a peptide selected from the group consisting of; (a) a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-1 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof and (b) a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-2 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, in manufacturing a vaccine, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof for treating and/or preventing a disease caused by neovascularization in human choroid.
  • the present invention also provides use of a peptide selected from the group consisting of; (a) a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-1 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof and (b) a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-2 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof, in manufacturing a pharmaceutical composition for inhibiting neovascularization in human choroid.
  • the present invention provides use of a peptide selected from the group consisting of; (a) a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-1 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof and (b) a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-2 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof, in manufacturing a vaccine for inhibiting neovascularization in human choroid.
  • the present invention provides a peptide selected from the group consisting of; (a) a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-1 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof and (b) a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-2 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof, for use in treating or preventing a disease caused by neovascularization in human choroid.
  • the present invention provides a peptide selected from the group consisting of; (a) a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-1 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof and (b) a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-2 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof, for use in inhibiting neovascularization in human choroid.
  • the present invention further provides a method or process for manufacturing a pharmaceutical composition for treating or preventing a disease caused by neovascularization in human choroid, wherein the method or process includes the step of formulating a pharmaceutically or physiologically acceptable carrier with an active ingredient selected from among; (a) a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-1 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof and (b) a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-2 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof, as active ingredients.
  • a pharmaceutically or physiologically acceptable carrier with an active ingredient selected from among; (a) a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-1 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof
  • the present invention further provides a method or process for manufacturing a vaccine for inhibiting neovascularization in human choroid, wherein the method or process includes the step of formulating a pharmaceutically or physiologically acceptable carrier with an active ingredient selected from among; (a) a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-1 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof and (b) a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-2 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof, as active ingredients.
  • a pharmaceutically or physiologically acceptable carrier with an active ingredient selected from among; (a) a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-1 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof and (b) a peptid
  • the present invention also provides a method or process for manufacturing a pharmaceutical composition for treating or preventing a disease caused by neovascularization in human choroid, wherein the method or process includes the steps of admixing an active ingredient with a pharmaceutically or physiologically acceptable carrier, wherein the active ingredient is selected from among: (a) a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-1 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof and (b) a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-2 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof.
  • a pharmaceutically or physiologically acceptable carrier wherein the active ingredient is selected from among: (a) a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-1 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucle
  • the present invention also provides a method or process for manufacturing a vaccine for inhibiting neovascularization in human choroid, wherein the method or process includes the steps of admixing an active ingredient with a pharmaceutically or physiologically acceptable carrier, wherein the active ingredient is selected from among: (a) a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-1 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof and (b) a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-2 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof.
  • a pharmaceutically or physiologically acceptable carrier wherein the active ingredient is selected from among: (a) a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-1 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof.
  • the present invention provides the following [1] to [30];
  • [1] A pharmaceutical composition for treating and/or preventing a disease caused by neovascularization in human choroid (neovascular maculopathy), comprising as an active ingredient at least one type of the peptides of (a) peptides comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGF receptor 1 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells, or a polynucleotide encoding thereof, [2]
  • the present invention can provide pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines effective for treating and preventing diseases caused by neovascularization in human choroid (neovascular maculopathy). Furthermore, the present invention can provide pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines effective for inhibiting neovascularization in human choroid.
  • Fig. 1 shows the symptomatic relief of an age-related macular degeneration patient HLA-A0201-Case 1 who has been given a VEGFR-1-derived peptide and a VEGFR-2-derived peptide.
  • A shows the tomographic images before starting the administration
  • B shows ocular fundus photographs before starting the administration
  • C shows fluorescein fundus photography before starting the administration.
  • the arrows of (A) and (D) indicate the line of the pigment epithelium and of (B) and (E) indicate the detachment of the pigment epithelium.
  • Fig. 1 shows the symptomatic relief of an age-related macular degeneration patient HLA-A0201-Case 1 who has been given a VEGFR-1-derived peptide and a VEGFR-2-derived peptide.
  • D shows the tomographic images five months after starting the administration
  • E shows the ocular fundus photograph five months after starting the administration
  • F shows fluorescein fundus photography five months after starting the administration .
  • the arrows of (A) and (D) indicate the line of the pigment epithelium and of (B) and (E) indicate the detachment of the pigment epithelium.
  • Fig. 2 shows retinal tomographic images acquired by optical coherence tomography performed on a single case of an age-related macular degeneration patient HLA-A0201-Case3 who has been given a VEGFR-1-derived peptide and a VEGFR-2-derived peptide.
  • A shows the tomographic images before starting the administration and
  • B shows the tomographic images one month after starting the administration.
  • the arrows indicate edema, and the dashed arrow indicates an apparently a fibrosed and hypoactive neovascular membrane.
  • Fig. 3 shows the symptomatic relief and the recovery of vision of an age-related macular degeneration patient HLA-A2402-Case 1 who has been given a VEGFR-1-derived peptide and a VEGFR-2-derived peptide.
  • Upper photographs show ocular fundus photographs and lower photographs show retinal tomographic images subretinal hemorrhages (arrowhead) disappeared and the vision was improved (parenthetic value) after starting the treatment. Additionally, the anatomy of macular was remaining the same.
  • Fig. 4 shows the VEGFR1 peptide-specific response of HLA-A0201-Case1.
  • the PBMCs of pre-treatment (a), and post-1 course (b) were tested.
  • the photograph of ELISPOT plate in which the PBMCs were stimulated by VEGFR1-A2-770 peptide (upper left panel) or HIV-Env peptide (upper right panel) is shown.
  • the number of spot counts (lower left panel) and VEGFR1 peptide-specific spots (lower right panel) is indicated in the graphs.
  • Statistical analysis was performed using unpaired Student's t-test (Star mark; P ⁇ 0.05). Circular mark indicates that spot counts are saturated.
  • Fig. 4 shows the VEGFR1 peptide-specific response of HLA-A0201-Case1.
  • the PBMCs of post-2 courses (c), and post-3 courses (d) were tested.
  • the photograph of ELISPOT plate in which the PBMCs were stimulated by VEGFR1-A2-770 peptide (upper left panel) or HIV-Env peptide (upper right panel) is shown.
  • the number of spot counts (lower left panel) and VEGFR1 peptide-specific spots (lower right panel) is indicated in the graphs.
  • Statistical analysis was performed using unpaired Student's t-test (Star mark; P ⁇ 0.05). Circular mark indicates that spot counts are saturated.
  • Fig. 4 shows the VEGFR1 peptide-specific response of HLA-A0201-Case1.
  • the PBMCs of post-4 courses (e) was tested.
  • the photograph of ELISPOT plate in which the PBMCs were stimulated by VEGFR1-A2-770 peptide (upper left panel) or HIV-Env peptide (upper right panel) is shown.
  • the number of spot counts (lower left panel) and VEGFR1 peptide-specific spots (lower right panel) is indicated in the graphs.
  • Statistical analysis was performed using unpaired Student's t-test (Star mark; P ⁇ 0.05). Circular mark indicates that spot counts are saturated.
  • Fig. 5 shows the VEGFR2 peptide-specific response of HLA-A0201-Case1.
  • the PBMCs of pre-treatment (a), and post-1 course (b) were tested.
  • the photograph of ELISPOT plate in which the PBMCs were stimulated by VEGFR2-A2-773 peptide (upper left panel) or HIV-Env peptide (upper right panel) is shown.
  • the number of spot counts (lower left panel) and VEGFR2 peptide-specific spots (lower right panel) is indicated in the graphs.
  • Fig. 5 shows the VEGFR2 peptide-specific response of HLA-A0201-Case1.
  • the PBMCs of post-2 courses (c), and post-3 courses (d) were tested.
  • the photograph of ELISPOT plate in which the PBMCs were stimulated by VEGFR2-A2-773 peptide (upper left panel) or HIV-Env peptide (upper right panel) is shown.
  • the number of spot counts (lower left panel) and VEGFR2 peptide-specific spots (lower right panel) is indicated in the graphs.
  • Fig. 5 shows the VEGFR2 peptide-specific response of HLA-A0201-Case1.
  • the PBMCs of post-4 courses (e) was tested.
  • the photograph of ELISPOT plate in which the PBMCs were stimulated by VEGFR2-A2-773 peptide (upper left panel) or HIV-Env peptide (upper right panel) is shown.
  • the number of spot counts (lower left panel) and VEGFR2 peptide-specific spots (lower right panel) is indicated in the graphs.
  • Fig. 6 shows the VEGFR1 peptide-specific response of HLA-A0201-Case3.
  • the responses of the PBMCs of post-1 course (a) is shown as representative results.
  • the photograph of ELISPOT plate in which the PBMCs were stimulated by VEGFR1-A2-770 peptide (upper left panel) or HIV-Env peptide (upper right panel) is shown.
  • the number of spot counts (middle left panel) and VEGFR1 peptide-specific spots is indicated in the graphs.
  • Statistical analysis was performed using unpaired Student's t-test (Star mark; P ⁇ 0.05).
  • the VEGFR1 peptide-specific T cell receptor was detected by HLA-A*0201/VEGFR1 dextramer (lower panel).
  • Fig. 6 shows the VEGFR1 peptide-specific response of HLA-A0201-Case3.
  • the responses of the PBMCs of post-3 courses (b) is shown as representative results.
  • the photograph of ELISPOT plate in which the PBMCs were stimulated by VEGFR1-A2-770 peptide (upper left panel) or HIV-Env peptide (upper right panel) is shown.
  • the number of spot counts (middle left panel) and VEGFR1 peptide-specific spots is indicated in the graphs.
  • Statistical analysis was performed using unpaired Student's t-test (Star mark; P ⁇ 0.05).
  • the VEGFR1 peptide-specific T cell receptor was detected by HLA-A*0201/VEGFR1 dextramer (lower panel).
  • Fig. 6 shows the VEGFR1 peptide-specific response of HLA-A0201-Case3.
  • the responses of the PBMCs of post-4 courses (c) is shown as representative results.
  • the photograph of ELISPOT plate in which the PBMCs were stimulated by VEGFR1-A2-770 peptide (upper left panel) or HIV-Env peptide (upper right panel) is shown.
  • the number of spot counts (middle left panel) and VEGFR1 peptide-specific spots is indicated in the graphs.
  • Statistical analysis was performed using unpaired Student's t-test (Star mark; P ⁇ 0.05).
  • the VEGFR1 peptide-specific T cell receptor was detected by HLA-A*0201/VEGFR1 dextramer (lower panel).
  • Fig. 6 shows the VEGFR1 peptide-specific response of HLA-A0201-Case3.
  • the responses of the PBMCs of post-5 courses (d) is shown as representative results.
  • the photograph of ELISPOT plate in which the PBMCs were stimulated by VEGFR1-A2-770 peptide (upper left panel) or HIV-Env peptide (upper right panel) is shown.
  • the number of spot counts (middle left panel) and VEGFR1 peptide-specific spots is indicated in the graphs.
  • Statistical analysis was performed using unpaired Student's t-test (Star mark; P ⁇ 0.05).
  • the VEGFR1 peptide-specific T cell receptor was detected by HLA-A*0201/VEGFR1 dextramer (lower panel).
  • Fig. 7 shows the VEGFR2 peptide-specific response of HLA-A0201-Case3.
  • the PBMCs of pre-treatment (a), post-1 course (b), and post-3 courses (c) were tested.
  • the number of spot counts against VEGFR2-A2-773 peptide-pulsed TISI or HIV-Env peptide-pulsed TISI left panel
  • VEGFR2 peptide-specific spots right panel
  • Fig. 7 shows the VEGFR2 peptide-specific response of HLA-A0201-Case3.
  • the PBMCs of post-4 courses (d) and post-5 courses (e) were tested.
  • the number of spot counts against VEGFR2-A2-773 peptide-pulsed TISI or HIV-Env peptide-pulsed TISI left panel
  • VEGFR2 peptide-specific spots right panel
  • Fig. 8 shows the VEGFR1 peptide-specific response of HLA-A2402-Case1.
  • the responses of the PBMCs of post-2 course (a) and post-6 courses (b) are shown as representative results.
  • the photograph of ELISPOT plate in which the PBMCs were stimulated by VEGFR1-A24-1084 peptide (left panel) or HIV-Env peptide (right panel) is shown.
  • the number of VEGFR1 peptide-specific spots is indicated in the graphs.
  • Statistical analysis was performed using unpaired Student's t-test (Star mark; P ⁇ 0.05). Circular mark indicates that spot counts are saturated.
  • Fig. 9 shows the VEGFR2 peptide-specific response of HLA-A2402-Case1.
  • the responses of the PBMCs of post-2 course (a) and post-6 courses (b) are shown as representative results.
  • the photograph of ELISPOT plate in which the PBMCs were stimulated by VEGFR2-A24-169 peptide (left panel) or HIV-Env peptide (right panel) is shown. R/S; responder /stimulator ratio.
  • the number of VEGFR2 peptide-specific spots was indicated in the graphs.
  • Fig. 10 shows the changes in vision of subjects after treatment.
  • polypeptide means “at least one” unless otherwise specifically indicated.
  • polypeptide refers to a polymer of amino acid residues.
  • the terms apply to amino acid polymers in which one or more amino acid residue(s) may be modified residue(s), or non-naturally occurring residue(s), such as artificial chemical mimetic(s) of corresponding naturally occurring amino acid(s), as well as to naturally occurring amino acid polymers.
  • amino acid refers to naturally occurring and synthetic amino acids, as well as amino acid analogs and amino acid mimetics that similarly function to the naturally occurring amino acids.
  • Amino acid may be either L-amino acids or D-amino acids.
  • Naturally occurring amino acids are those encoded by the genetic code, as well as those modified after translation in cells (e.g., hydroxyproline, gamma-carboxyglutamate, and O-phosphoserine).
  • amino acid analog refers to compounds that have the same basic chemical structure (an alpha carbon bound to a hydrogen, a carboxy group, an amino group, and an R group) as a naturally occurring amino acid but have one or more modified R group(s) or modified backbones (e.g., homoserine, norleucine, methionine, sulfoxide, methionine methyl sulfonium).
  • modified R group(s) or modified backbones e.g., homoserine, norleucine, methionine, sulfoxide, methionine methyl sulfonium.
  • amino acid mimetic refers to chemical compounds that have different structures but similar functions to general amino acids. Amino acids may be referred to herein by their commonly known three letter symbols or the one-letter symbols recommended by the IUPAC-IUB Biochemical Nomenclature Commission.
  • composition as used herein is intended to encompass a product including the specified ingredients in the specified amounts, as well as any product that results, directly or indirectly, from combination of the specified ingredients in the specified amounts.
  • pharmaceutical composition is intended to encompass a product including the active ingredient(s), and any inert ingredient(s) that make up the carrier, as well as any product that results, directly or indirectly, from combination, complexation or aggregation of any two or more of the ingredients, or from dissociation of one or more of the ingredients, or from other types of reactions or interactions of one or more of the ingredients.
  • the phrase “pharmaceutical composition” encompasses any composition made by admixing a compound of the present invention and a pharmaceutically or physiologically acceptable carrier.
  • pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or “physiologically acceptable carrier”, as used herein, means a pharmaceutically or physiologically acceptable material, composition, substance or vehicle, including but not limited to, a liquid or solid filler, diluent, excipient, solvent or encapsulating material, involved in carrying or transporting the active ingredient(s) from one organ, or portion of the body, to another organ, or portion of the body.
  • cytotoxic T lymphocyte refers to a sub-group of T lymphocytes that are capable of recognizing non-self cells (e.g., virus-infected cells) and inducing the death of such cells.
  • non-self cells e.g., virus-infected cells
  • HLA-A24 refers to the HLA-A24 type containing the subtypes such as HLA-A*2402.
  • HLA-A02 as used herein, representatively refers to the subtypes such as HLA-A*0201.
  • kit as used herein, is used in reference to a combination of reagents and other materials. It is not intended that the term “kit” be limited to a particular combination of agents and/or materials.
  • a treatment is deemed “efficacious” if it leads to clinical benefit such as, decrease in the detachment of pigment epithelium, amelioration of the detachment of pigment epithelium, reduced leakage, or amelioration of distortion in the subject. Efficaciousness is determined in association with any known method for treating the disease caused by neovascularization in human choroid (neovascular maculopathy). Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs.
  • the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions for treating and/or preventing a disease caused by neovascularization in the choroid (neovascular maculopathy) and pharmaceutical compositions for inhibiting neovascularization in the choroid, which comprise as an active ingredient a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-1 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells (hereinafter referred to as "VEGFR-1 peptide”) (hereinafter, the composition may together be referred to as "pharmaceutical composition of the present invention") and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof.
  • a disease caused by neovascularization in the choroid neovascular maculopathy
  • pharmaceutical compositions for inhibiting neovascularization in the choroid which comprise as an active ingredient a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-1 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells (hereinafter referred to as "VE
  • the present invention relates to vaccines for treating and/or preventing a disease caused by neovascularization in the choroid (neovascular maculopathy), and vaccines for inhibiting neovascularization in the choroid, which comprise VEGFR-1 (hereinafter, the vaccine may together be referred to as "vaccine of the present invention") and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof.
  • the pharmaceutical composition and vaccine above can comprise any other substances, for example immune stimulators.
  • a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from other protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells can be comprised.
  • a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-2 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells (hereinafter referred to as "VEGFR-2 peptide").
  • VEGFR-2 peptide a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-2 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells.
  • the present invention is based on the present inventors' finding that pharmaceutical compositions/vaccines comprising VEGFR-1 peptide are effective for inhibiting neovascularization in the choroid.
  • VEGFR-1 peptide contained in the pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines of the present invention (hereinafter, "VEGFR-1 peptide” may be referred to as “peptide of the present invention”) can be obtained by synthesizing peptides from any position in the amino acid sequence of a known VEGFR-1 protein.
  • the present invention can contain VEGFR-2 peptide and also can be obtained by synthesizing peptides from any position in the amino acid sequence of a known VEGFR-2.
  • Amino acid sequences of human VEGFR-1 and human VEGFR-2 are known, and those skilled in the art can easily obtain them from protein sequence databases and such available on the Internet.
  • amino acid sequence of a human VEGFR-1 protein is the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 19 (the amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleotide sequence of GenBank Accession No. NM_002019).
  • amino acid sequence of a human VEGFR-2 protein is the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21 (the amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleotide sequence of GenBank Accession No. NM_002253).
  • Peptide synthesis can be performed according to methods conventionally used in peptide chemistry. Conventional synthesis methods are described in documents such as "Peptide Synthesis", Interscience, New York, 1966; “The Proteins", Vol. 2, Academic Press Inc., New York, 1976; “Peptide Synthesis (Peptide Gosei)", Maruzen, 1975; “Fundamentals and Experiments of Peptide Synthesis (Peptide Gosei no Kiso to Jikken)", Maruzen, 1985; and “The sequel of Development of Pharmaceuticals (Zoku Iyakuhin no Kaihatsu)", Vol. 14, Peptide Synthesis (Peptide Gosei), Hirokawa Shoten, 1991, and in publications such as International Publication No.
  • Peptides of the present invention may also be synthesized by known genetic engineering methods. The following is an example of a genetic engineering synthesis method.
  • a vector into which a DNA encoding a peptide of the present invention has been inserted is introduced into suitable host cells to produce transformed cells.
  • the peptides of the present invention can be obtained by collecting the peptides produced in these transformed cells.
  • the peptides of the present invention may also be produced initially as a fusion protein, which is then cleaved using an appropriate protease to obtain the peptides.
  • a polynucleotide encoding a peptide of the present invention may be ligated in frame with a polynucleotide encoding another peptide, and this may be inserted into an expression vector for expression in a host. Techniques known to those skilled in the art can be used for this purpose.
  • peptides fused with the peptides of the present invention one may use known peptides such as FLAG (Hopp, T. P.
  • 6x His consisting of six histidine (His) residues, 10x His, influenza hemagglutinin (HA), human c-myc fragments, VSV-GP fragments, p18HIV fragments, T7-tag, HSV-tag, E-tag, SV40T antigen fragments, lck tag, alpha-tubulin fragments, B-tag, and Protein C fragments.
  • GST glutathione-S-transferase
  • HA influenza hemagglutinin
  • MBP maltose-binding protein
  • the peptides of the present invention can be obtained by treating the fusion proteins produced in this manner with a suitable protease, and then colleting the peptides of interest.
  • the peptides can be collected by methods known to those skilled in the art, such as affinity chromatography.
  • any sequence can be selected from the whole amino acid sequence of a VEGFR-1 protein or the whole amino acid sequence of a VEGFR-2 protein using binding affinity to HLA antigens as an indicator. Binding affinity to HLA antigens can be measured by isolating cells having HLA antigens on the cell surface, such as dendritic cells, and measuring binding of the peptides to the cells using commonly performed methods. Alternatively, binding affinity can be calculated in silico by software recently available on the Internet, such as those described in Parker K. C., J. Immunol. 152, 1994.
  • HLA antigens such as the A-02 and A-24 types each include subtypes such as A-0201 or A-2402.
  • VEGFR-1 peptides having high binding affinity to HLA-A*0201 include peptides comprising the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 3
  • examples of VEGFR-1 peptides having high binding affinity to HLA-A*2402 include peptides comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 (WO 2006/093030).
  • VEGFR-2 peptides having high binding affinity to HLA-A*0201 include peptides comprising the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 11 to 17, and examples of VEGFR-2 peptides having high binding affinity to HLA-A*2402 include peptides comprising the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 5 to 10 (WO 2004/024766).
  • peptides having high binding affinity to an HLA antigen carried by a patient requiring treatment can be suitably selected by investigating the type of the HLA antigen in advance.
  • Peptides having high binding affinity to an HLA antigen are highly likely to be effective as peptides having an activity to induce cytotoxic T cells (CTLs). Still, it is desirable to examine whether or not the candidate peptide selected using the presence of high binding affinity as an indicator actually has an activity to induce CTLs.
  • the CTL-inducing activity can be confirmed by stimulating antigen-presenting cells comprising human MHC antigens (such as B-lymphocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells), preferably dendritic cells derived from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, with the candidate peptide; mixing the cells with CD8-positive cells; and then measuring cytotoxicity against the target cells.
  • human MHC antigens such as B-lymphocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells
  • transgenic animals produced to express a human HLA antigen for example, those described in Hum. Immunol. 2000 Aug; 61(8):764-79 Related Articles, Books, Linkout Induction of CTL response by a minimal epitope vaccine in HLA A*0201/DR1 transgenic mice: dependence on HLA class II restricted T(H) response.
  • HLA class II restricted T(H) response Ben Mohamed L., Krishnan R., Longmate J., Auge C., Low L., Primus J., Diamond DJ.
  • Cytotoxicity can be calculated from the radioactivity released from target cells which are radiolabeled with, for example, 51Cr or such.
  • the activity can be examined by measuring the IFN-gamma produced and released by CTLs in the presence of antigen-presenting cells that carry peptides, and visualizing the inhibition zone on the media using anti-IFN-gamma monoclonal antibodies.
  • the length of the peptides of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as they have CTL-inducing activity, but is preferably 50 amino acids or less, more preferably 30 amino acids or less, and even more preferably 15 amino acids or less.
  • the peptides of the present invention are desirably 9-mers (nonapeptides) or 10-mers (decapeptides).
  • Preferred VEGFR-1 peptides include peptides comprising the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 4 (WO 2006/093030).
  • Preferred VEGFR-2 peptides include peptides comprising the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 5 to 17 (WO 2004/024766).
  • one, two, or several amino acids can be substituted, deleted, added, and/or inserted to the amino acid sequences of partial peptides of naturally occurring VEGFR-1 or VEGFR-2.
  • "several” means five or less, and preferably three or less.
  • amino acid side chain properties are: hydrophobic amino acids (A, I, L, M, F, P, W, Y, and V); hydrophilic amino acids (R, D, N, C, E, Q, G, H, K, S, and T); amino acids comprising aliphatic side chains (G, A, V, L, I, and P); amino acids comprising hydroxyl group-containing side chains (S, T, and Y); amino acids comprising sulfur atom-containing side chains (C and M); amino acids comprising carboxylic acid- and amide-containing side chains (D, N, E, and Q); amino acids comprising basic side chains (R, K, and H); and amino acids comprising aromatic group-containing side chains (H, F, Y, and W) (all amino acids are represented by one-letter codes in parentheses).
  • hydrophobic amino acids A, I, L, M, F, P, W, Y, and V
  • hydrophilic amino acids R, D, N, C, E, Q, G, H, K, S
  • Amino acid substitution within each of these groups is generally called conservative substitution.
  • a peptide comprising a modified amino acid sequence, in which one or more amino acid residues are substituted, deleted, added, and/or inserted to a certain amino acid sequence is known to retain the biological activity of its original peptide (Mark, D. F. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA (1984) 81, 5662-6; Zoller, M. J. and Smith, M., Nucleic Acids Res. (1982) 10, 6487-500; Wang, A. et al., Science (1984) 224: 1431-3; Dalbadie-McFarland, G. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.
  • modified VEGFR-1 peptides include peptides comprising an amino acid sequence with one or more amino acid substitutions, deletions, additions, and/or insertions in the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 4.
  • modified VEGFR-2 peptides include peptides comprising an amino acid sequence with one or more amino acid substitutions, deletions, additions, and/or insertions in the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 5 to 17.
  • sequences having such regularity can be selected, or modifications based on this regularity can be carried out on the peptides obtained as described above.
  • those with high HLA-24 binding affinity are known to be peptides in which the second amino acid from the peptide N terminus is phenylalanine, tyrosine, methionine, or tryptophan, and the C-terminal amino acid is phenylalanine, leucine, isoleucine, tryptophan, or methionine.
  • peptides to be contained in the pharmaceutical compositions or vaccines for administration to subjects carrying the HLA-24-type HLA antigen one can select peptides in which the second amino acid from the N terminus is phenylalanine, tyrosine, methionine, or tryptophan, and/or the C-terminal amino acid is phenylalanine, leucine, isoleucine, tryptophan, or methionine.
  • the second amino acid from the N terminus of an obtained peptide can be modified to phenylalanine, tyrosine, methionine, or tryptophan, or the C-terminal amino acid can be modified to phenylalanine, leucine, isoleucine, tryptophan, or methionine.
  • VEGFR-1 peptides include peptides in which the second amino acid from the N terminus is modified to phenylalanine, tyrosine, methionine, or tryptophan, and/or the C-terminal amino acid is modified to phenylalanine, leucine, isoleucine, tryptophan, or methionine in the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4.
  • VEGFR-2 peptides include peptides in which the second amino acid from the N terminus is modified to phenylalanine, tyrosine, methionine, or tryptophan, and/or the C-terminal amino acid is modified to phenylalanine, leucine, isoleucine, tryptophan, or methionine in the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 5 to 10.
  • those with high HLA-02 binding affinity are known to be peptides in which the second amino acid from the peptide N terminus is leucine or methionine, and the C-terminal amino acid is valine or leucine.
  • the peptides to be contained in the pharmaceutical compositions or vaccines for administration to subjects carrying the HLA-02-type HLA antigen one can select peptides in which the second amino acid from the N terminus is leucine or methionine, and/or the C-terminal amino acid is valine or leucine.
  • the second amino acid from the N terminus of the obtained peptide can be modified to leucine or methionine, and the C-terminal amino acid can be modified to valine or leucine.
  • VEGFR-2 peptides include peptides in which the second amino acid from the N terminus is modified to leucine or methionine and/or the C-terminal amino acid is modified to valine or leucine in the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 3.
  • modified VEGFR-2 peptides for the HLA-02 type is a peptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11-17.
  • Peptides of the present invention can be obtained as described above, but when a peptide sequence is identical to a portion of the amino acid sequence of an endogenous or exogenous protein with a different function, it may cause side effects such as autoimmune diseases or allergic symptoms against specific substances. Therefore, it is preferable to use available databases to carry out homology searches, and examine whether the sequence of the obtained peptide matches the amino acid sequence of other proteins. If the peptide sequence matches the amino acid sequence of another protein, selection of that peptide sequence should preferably be avoided. If homology search shows that no peptides differing in one or two amino acids exist, the above-mentioned amino acid sequence modifications for increasing the binding affinity to HLA antigens and/or the CTL-inducing activity would not cause those problems.
  • Polynucleotides The present invention also provides polynucleotides which encode any of the aforementioned peptides of the present invention. These include polynucleotides derived from the natural occurring VEGFR-1 gene (GenBank Accession No. NM_002019 (for example, SEQ ID NO: 18)), or VEGFR-2 gene (GenBank Accession No. NM_002253 (for example, SEQ ID NO: 20)) as well as those having a conservatively modified nucleotide sequences thereof.
  • the phrase "conservatively modified nucleotide sequence” refers to sequences which encode identical or essentially identical amino acid sequences.
  • nucleic acid variations are "silent variations," which are one species of conservatively modified variations. Every nucleic acid sequence herein which encodes a peptide also describes every possible silent variation of the nucleic acid.
  • each codon in a nucleic acid may be modified to yield a functionally identical molecule. Accordingly, each silent variation of a nucleic acid that encodes a peptide is implicitly described in each disclosed sequence.
  • the polynucleotide of the present invention may be composed of DNA, RNA, or derivatives thereof.
  • a DNA molecule is composed of bases such as the naturally occurring bases A, T, C, and G, and T is replaced by U in an RNA.
  • bases such as the naturally occurring bases A, T, C, and G, and T is replaced by U in an RNA.
  • non-naturally occurring bases be included in polynucleotides, as well.
  • the polynucleotide of the present invention may encode multiple peptides of the present invention with or without intervening amino acid sequences.
  • the intervening amino acid sequence may provide a cleavage site (e.g., enzyme recognition sequence) of the polynucleotide or the translated peptides.
  • the polynucleotide may include any additional sequences to the coding sequence encoding the peptide of the present invention.
  • the polynucleotide may be a recombinant polynucleotide that includes regulatory sequences required for the expression of the peptide or may be an expression vector (plasmid) with marker genes and such.
  • such recombinant polynucleotides may be prepared by the manipulation of polynucleotides through conventional recombinant techniques using, for example, polymerases and endonucleases.
  • a polynucleotide may be produced by insertion into an appropriate vector, which may be expressed when transfected into a competent cell.
  • a polynucleotide may be amplified using PCR techniques or expression in suitable hosts (see, e.g., Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York, 1989).
  • a polynucleotide may be synthesized using the solid phase techniques, as described in Beaucage SL & Iyer RP, Tetrahedron 1992, 48: 2223-311; Matthes et al., EMBO J 1984, 3: 801-5.
  • compositions and vaccines comprising VEGFR-1 peptide and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof
  • the present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions for treating and/or preventing a disease caused by neovascularization in human choroid, comprising at least a VEGFR-1 peptide and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof as an active ingredient.
  • Treatment in the present invention refers to reducing symptoms characteristic of diseases caused by neovascularization in the choroid in patients who have actually developed the symptoms.
  • the degree of reduction is not particularly limited, and as long as the symptoms can be reduced, even if the degree is very slight, it is included in the meaning of the treatment of the present invention.
  • the degree of suppression of the progress is not limited in any way, and as long as the progress can be suppressed, even if the degree is very slight, it is included in the meaning of prevention of the present invention.
  • the symptoms of a disease caused by neovascularization in the choroid include reduced vision.
  • Assessment of whether or not this symptom has been reduced can be determined by a vision test. Furthermore, one can determine whether or not the progress of symptoms is suppressed by evaluating the activity of choroidal neovessels through examinations using fluorescein fundus photography or optical coherence tomography.
  • the present invention provides vaccines for treating and/or preventing a disease caused by neovascularization in the choroid, comprising at least a VEGFR-1 peptide and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof as an active ingredient.
  • a vaccine refers to a composition which, when administered to an organism, can induce immune responses in vivo in that organism.
  • immune responses induced in vivo refer to, in particular, induction of CTLs targeting cells expressing VEGFR-1. Since vascular endothelial cells involved in neovascularization in the choroid express VEGFR-1 on the cell surface, they may become targets of CTLs induced by administration of this vaccine.
  • administration of the vaccine of the present invention causes the peptides of the present invention to be presented at high density on the HLA antigens of the antigen-presenting cells, this induces CTLs which react specifically to the complex formed between the presented peptide and HLA antigen, and the power to attack vascular endothelial cells in the choroid is increased.
  • antigen-presenting cells having peptides of the present invention on their cell surface are obtained by extracting dendritic cells from a patient and stimulating them with the peptides of the present invention. Returning the cells to the patient through administration causes CTL induction in the patient, and the power to attack vascular endothelial cells in the choroid can be increased.
  • the pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines of the present invention are effective against diseases caused by neovascularization in the choroid.
  • diseases include neovascular maculopathy that associate with diseases such as exudative age-related macular degeneration, myopic macular degeneration, angioid streaks, central exudative chorioretinopathy, various retinal pigment epitheliopathies, choroidal atrophy, choroideremia, and choroidal osteoma.
  • diseases include neovascular maculopathy that associate with diseases such as exudative age-related macular degeneration, myopic macular degeneration, angioid streaks, central exudative chorioretinopathy, various retinal pigment epitheliopathies, choroidal atrophy, choroideremia, and choroidal osteoma.
  • diseases include neovascular maculopathy that associate with diseases such as exudative age-related macular degeneration, myopic macular degeneration, angioid streaks, central exud
  • compositions and vaccines of the present invention selectively attack vascular endothelial cells and thus have a low risk of rapid visual reduction and development of severe complications post-treatment, which are problems in conventional therapeutic methods. Therefore, the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention can be applied not only to patients with severe symptoms but also to early-stage patients with relatively good vision. Since retinal damage is low in early-stage cases with relatively good vision, the visual prognosis post-treatment for advanced cases is expected to be much more favorable than in conventional treatment. Furthermore, pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines of the present invention have been confirmed to show effects in cases that do not respond to conventional therapeutic methods, and can be applied to such cases.
  • the present invention is based on the finding that neovascularization in the choroid is inhibited by administration of VEGFR-1 peptides. Therefore, the present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions for inhibiting neovascularization in the choroid, comprising at least one type each of a VEGFR-1 peptide and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof. Furthermore, pharmaceutical compositions comprising VEGFR-1peptides and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof can be used as vaccines. Therefore, the present invention also provides vaccines for inhibiting neovascularization in the choroid, comprising at least a VEGFR-1 peptide and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof. The degree of inhibition is not particularly limited, and as long as neovascularization can be inhibited, even if the degree is slight, it is included in the meaning of inhibition.
  • compositions and vaccines of the present invention are not particularly limited so long as they contain at least a VEGFR-1 peptide and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof, and for example, they may comprise multiple types of VEGFR-1 peptides and/or any other substances, for example immune stimulators.
  • a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from other protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells can be comprised. More preferably, a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a VEGFR-2 protein and having an activity of inducing cytotoxic T cells (hereinafter referred to as "VEGFR-2 peptide").
  • compositions and vaccines of the present invention may contain, in addition to peptides, carriers, excipients, and such commonly used for pharmaceuticals when appropriate.
  • they may be used parenterally in the injectable form of sterile solutions or suspensions prepared with water or other pharmaceutically acceptable liquids.
  • They may be formulated by appropriately combining them with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or vehicles, more specifically, sterilized water or physiological saline solutions, vegetable oils, emulsifiers, suspending agents, surfactants, stabilizers, flavoring agents, excipients, vehicles, preservatives, binding agents, and such, and mixing them at a unit dosage form required by generally accepted pharmaceutical practice.
  • the amount of active ingredient in these formulations is included to achieve appropriate doses within specified limit.
  • the present invention when the present invention is a vaccine, it may include an adjuvant so that cellular immunity is effectively established, and they may also include other active ingredients for neovascular maculopathy and such. They may also be made into particulate formulations.
  • adjuvants those described in the document (Johnson AG., Clin. Microbiol. Rev., 7:277-289, 1994) or such are available.
  • Other formulations may be liposome preparations, granular preparations produced by binding to micrometer-diameter beads, or lipid-bound preparations.
  • the amount of VEGFR-1peptide contained in the pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it is a pharmaceutically effective amount.
  • an effective amount of each peptide may be 0.001 mg to 1000 mg, preferably 0.001 mg to 1000 mg, and more preferably 0.1 mg to 10 mg.
  • the pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines contain VEGFR-2 peptide
  • the combining ratio of the VEGFR-1 peptide to the VEGFR-2 peptide is not particularly limited, as long as pharmaceutically effective amounts of both peptides are contained.
  • the amounts of VEGFR-1 peptide and VEGFR-2 peptide combined may be the same, or the amount of either one of the peptides combined may be greater than the other peptide.
  • VEGFR-2 is expressed on the surface of almost all vascular endothelial cells
  • VEGFR-1 is expressed only on the surface of a specific portion of vascular endothelial cells; therefore, the amount of the VEGFR-2 peptide combined can be greater than that of the VEGFR-1 peptide.
  • the peptides of the present invention may also be administered in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt.
  • the salts include salts with an alkali metal, salts with a metal, salts with an organic base, salts with an organic acid and salts with an inorganic acid.
  • the present invention also includes the use of VEGFR-1peptide and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof in manufacturing pharmaceutical compositions or vaccines for treating and/or preventing diseases caused by neovascularization in human choroid.
  • the present invention includes the use of VEGFR-1 peptide and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof in manufacturing pharmaceutical compositions or vaccines for inhibiting neovascularization in human choroid.
  • the present invention includes VEGFR-1 peptides and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof to be administered to subjects for treating and/or preventing diseases caused by neovascularization in human choroid.
  • the present invention includes VEGFR-2 peptides and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof to be administered to subjects together with a VEGFR-1 peptide and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof for treating and/or preventing diseases caused by neovascularization in human choroid.
  • the present invention includes VEGFR-2 peptides to and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof be administered to subjects together with a VEGFR-1 peptide and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof for inhibiting neovascularization in human choroid. Additionally, the present invention includes VEGFR-1 peptides and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof to be administered to subjects together with a VEGFR-2 peptide and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof for inhibiting neovascularization in human choroid.
  • Kits for treating or preventing neovascular maculopathy and kits for inhibiting neovascularization in the choroid The present invention provides kits for treating and/or preventing diseases caused by neovascularization in the choroid, comprising at least a VEGFR-1 peptide and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof.
  • the present invention also provides kits for inhibiting neovascularization in the choroid, comprising at least a VEGFR-1 peptide and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof.
  • VEGFR-1 peptide to be included in the kits of the present invention may be present individually alone, or they may exist in the form of formulations or vaccines by appropriately combining with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or vehicles, or more specifically, sterilized water or physiological saline solutions, vegetable oils, emulsifiers, suspending agents, surfactants, stabilizers, flavoring agents, excipients, vehicles, preservatives, binding agents, and such.
  • an adjuvant may be included so that cellular immunity is effectively established, and other active ingredients for neovascular maculopathy and such may also be included.
  • VEGFR-2 peptide can be included. They may also be made into granular formulations.
  • kits of the present invention may further include pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or vehicles such as those described above so that one who prepares the pharmaceuticals can make appropriate adjustments.
  • the present invention further provides methods for treating and/or preventing diseases caused by neovascularization in the choroid, comprising the step of administering to a subject at least a VEGFR-1 peptide and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof. Furthermore, the present invention provides methods for inhibiting neovascularization in the choroid, comprising the step of administering to a subject at least a VEGFR-1 peptide and/or a polynucleotide encoding thereof.
  • VEGFR-1peptide can be administered to subjects parenterally in the injectable form of sterile solutions or suspensions prepared with water or other pharmaceutically acceptable liquids. They may also be administered to subjects in the form of a formulation by appropriately combining with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or vehicles, more specifically, sterilized water or physiological saline solutions, vegetable oils, emulsifiers, suspending agents, surfactants, stabilizers, flavoring agents, excipients, vehicles, preservatives, binding agents, and such, and mixing them at a unit dosage form required for generally accepted pharmaceutical practice.
  • pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or vehicles more specifically, sterilized water or physiological saline solutions, vegetable oils, emulsifiers, suspending agents, surfactants, stabilizers, flavoring agents, excipients, vehicles, preservatives, binding agents, and such, and mixing them at a unit dosage form required for generally accepted pharmaceutical practice.
  • VEGFR-1 peptide When administering VEGFR-1 peptide as vaccines, they may be administered together with an adjuvant so that cellular immunity is effectively established, and they may also be administered together with other active ingredients for neovascular maculopathy and such.
  • adjuvants those described in the document (Johnson AG., Clin. Microbiol. Rev., 7:277-289, 1994) or such are available.
  • VEGFR-2 peptide may also be administered together.
  • VEGFR-1 can be administered to subjects as pharmaceutical compositions or vaccines of the present invention, or they may be administered to subjects as pharmaceutical compositions or vaccines containing each of the peptides individually.
  • the VEGFR-1 peptide can be administered by either systemic administration or local administration. Examples of systemic administration include oral administration, intradermal administration, subcutaneous administration, and intravenous injection. Examples of local administration include administration to the vicinity of the choroid.
  • the dose of VEGFR-1 peptide may be, for example, 0.001 mg to 1000 mg, preferably 0.001 mg to 1000 mg, and more preferably 0.1 mg to 10 mg, but is not limited thereto.
  • the vaccines are preferably administered once in a few days or a few months, and more preferably once a week.
  • Example 1 Subjects HLA-A0201-Case 1 As a subject, a 67-year old male patient with age-related macular degeneration who has been treated by photodynamic therapy and Avastin administration was selected. It is a case that did not go to remission by conventional therapeutic methods. Examination of the HLA-A locus confirmed that the subject carries HLA-A*0201.
  • HLA-A0201-Case 3 As a subject, a 76-year old male patient with age-related macular degeneration who has been treated by injection of a steroid (triamcinolone) below Tenon's capsule, photodynamic therapy, and Avastin administration was selected. It is a case that did not go to remission by conventional therapeutic methods. Examination of the HLA-A locus confirmed that the subject carries HLA-A*0201.
  • HLA-A2402-Case 1 As a subject, a 67-year old male patient with a age-related macular degeneration patient was selected. It is a case that did not go to remission by conventional therapeutic methods. Examination of the HLA-A locus confirmed that the subject carries HLA-A*2402.
  • HLA-A*2402 restricted VEGFR1 peptide (VEGFR1-A24-1084; SYGVLLWEI; SEQ ID NO:4), HLA-A*2402 restricted VEGFR2 peptide (VEGFR2-A24-169; RFVPDGNRI; SEQ ID NO:8), HLA-A*0201 restricted VEGFR1 peptide (VEGFR1-A2-770; TLFWLLLTL; SEQ ID NO: 2) and HLA-A*0201 restricted VEGFR2 peptide (VEGFR2-A2-773; VIAMFFWLL; SEQ ID NO: 12) of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) grade, HLA-A*2402-ristricted HIV-Env protein-derived peptide (HIV-A24; RYLRDQQLL; SEQ ID NO: 22) and HLA-A*0201-ristricted HIV-Env protein-derived peptide (HIV-A2; SLYNTYATL; SEQ ID NO: 23) were
  • VEGFR-1 peptide TFWLLLTL; SEQ ID NO: 2
  • VEGFR-2 peptide VEGFR-2 peptide
  • PBMCs Peripheral blood mononuclear cells
  • IFN-gamma ELISPOT assay Before the treatment and at the every end of treatment course, PBMCs were obtained and immediately frozen. For immune monitoring, all frozen PBMCs derived from each patient were thawed at the same time, and stimulated with 10 micro g/ml of the cognate peptide and 20 IU/mL of interleukine-2 (Chiron, Emeryville, CA) at 37 degrees C with 5% CO 2 condition for two weeks. After the depletion of CD4 + cells by Dynal CD4 positive isolation kit (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA), cells were applied for interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay.
  • IFN-gamma interferon-gamma enzyme-linked immunospot
  • IFN-gamma ELISPOT assay was performed according to manufacture's procedure (BD Biosciences, San Jose, CA). Briefly, HLA-A*2402-positive B-lymphoblast TISI cells (IHWG Cell and Gene Bank, Seattle, WA) or HLA-A*0201-positive B-lymphoblast T2 cells (ATCC, Tokyo, Japan) were incubated with 20 micro g/ml of the cognate peptide or HIV-Env peptide over night.
  • respective peptide-pulsed cells (2 X 10 4 cells/ well) were used to stimulate prepared CD4 - cells (1 X 10 4 cells/ well) on 96-well plate (Millipore, Bedford, MA) at 37 degrees C with 5% CO 2 condition over night.
  • the plates were scanned and analyzed on an ImmunoSpot S4 Analyzer and ImmunoSpot image analyzer software version 5.0 (Cellular Technology Ltd., Cleveland, OH).
  • the number of the cognate peptide specific spots was calculated by subtracting the number of spots when stimulated with HIV-Env peptide from the number of spots when stimulated with the cognate peptide. All ELISPOT assays were performed triplicate wells. When the excess spots were detected, it is unable to calculate the accurate spot counts because of the clustering and those wells were defined to be saturated.
  • Flow cytometric analysis To detect peptide specific T cell receptor, 5 X 10 5 of CD4 - cells prepared for ELISPOT assay were stained with phycoerythrin (PE)-conjugated HLA-A*2402/VEGFR1 dextramer or HLA-A*0201/VEGFR1 dextramer (DAKO Japan, Tokyo, Japan), fluoroscein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated anti-human CD8 mAb (RPA-T8, BD Biosciences, San Jose, CA) and allophycocyanina (APC)-conjugated anti-human CD3 mAb (UCHT1, BD Biosciences, San Jose, CA), then analyzed using FACSCanto II (BD Biosciences, San Jose, CA).
  • PE phycoerythrin
  • RPA-T8 mAb fluoroscein isothiocyanate
  • APC allophycocyanina
  • HLA-A*2402/HIV-Env dextramer or HLA-A*0201/HIV-Env dextramer were used as negative controls. Dead cells were excluded from the analysis based on the staining with 7-ADD (Sigma-Aldrich Japan, Tokyo, Japan).
  • results HLA-A0201-Case1 The progression stage of age-related macular degeneration was analyzed using optical coherence tomography, fluorescein fundus imaging, and fundus photography.
  • Fig. 1A Before starting administration of the VEGFR-1 peptide and the VEGFR-2 peptide, a large detachment of pigment epithelium was observed in the tomographic images of optical coherence tomography (Fig. 1A). Detachment of pigment epithelium was clearly observed also in the fundus photograph (Fig. 1B). Furthermore, a large amount of leakage was observed in the image of fluorescein fundus photography (Fig. 1D).
  • HLA-A2402-Case1 Before starting administration of the VEGFR-1 peptide and the VEGFR-2 peptide, clear subretinal hemorrhages were observed in the ocular fundus photographs (Fig. 3, upper left panel). Three month after starting administration, the subretinal hemorrhages were obviously relieved compared with before administration (Fig. 3 upper center and right panels). Furthermore, anatomy of macular region have no effect (Fig. 3, lower panel) and the vision was improved.
  • IFN-gamma ELISPOT assay and/or Flow cytometric analysis were performed as monitoring of patient treated.
  • HLA-A0201-Case1 Significantly higher number of spots were observed when stimulated with VEGFR1-A2-770 peptide- pulsed T2 cells compared with that stimulated with HIV-Env peptide-pulsed T2 cells in IFN-gamma ELISPOT assay, especially after treatment courses (Table1 and Figure 4).
  • no specific IFN-gamma production was observed by stimulation with VEGFR2-A2-773 peptide (Table1 and Figure 5), despite administration of both VEGFR1-A2-770 peptide and VEGFR2-A2-773 peptide shown obvious efficacy in the patient.
  • VEGFR1-A2-770 peptide function to improve the case alone.
  • HLA-A0201-Case3 Significantly higher number of spots were observed when stimulated with VEGFR1-A2-770 peptide- pulsed T2 cells compared with that stimulated with HIV-Env peptide-pulsed T2 cells in IFN-gamma ELISPOT assay (Table1 and Figure 6). Consistently, significant population of HLA-A*0201/ VEGFR1-A2-770 dextramer+ CD8+ cells were detected by flow cytometric analysis ( Figure 6 lower panels).
  • HLA-A2402-Case1 Significantly higher number of spots were observed when stimulated with VEGFR1-A24-1084 peptide- pulsed TISI cells compared with that stimulated with HIV-Env peptide-pulsed TISI cells in IFN-gamma ELISPOT assay, especially after treatment courses (Table1 and Figure 8). On the other hand, no specific IFN-gamma production was observed by stimulation with VEGFR2-A24-169 peptide (Table1 and Figure 9), despite administration of both VEGFR1-A24-1084 peptide and VEGFR2-A24-169 peptide shown obvious efficacy in the patient. As a result, it indicated that VEGFR1-A24-1084 peptide function to improve the case alone.
  • the present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions/vaccines for treatment and/or prevention of diseases caused by neovascularization in the choroid (neovascular maculopathy).
  • neovascular maculopathy Conventionally, laser therapy, photodynamic therapy, operative therapy, drug therapy, and such have been performed as therapeutic methods for neovascular maculopathy.
  • laser therapy could reduce central vision.
  • rapid visual reduction following photodynamic therapy in cases with good vision.
  • operative therapy there is a risk of postoperative complications associated with surgical invasion.
  • drug therapy there is a risk of serious complications such as endophthalmitis and retinal detachment due to intraocular injection. That is, conventional therapies have a high risk of visual reduction due to treatment-associated adverse effects and complications.

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BRPI1013025A BRPI1013025A2 (pt) 2009-06-11 2010-06-10 terapia vacínica para neovascularização coroide
CN2010800356548A CN102802654A (zh) 2009-06-11 2010-06-10 用于脉络膜新生血管形成的疫苗疗法
MX2011012659A MX2011012659A (es) 2009-06-11 2010-06-10 Terapia con vacunas para neovascularizacion coroidea.
EP10785967.0A EP2440226A4 (en) 2009-06-11 2010-06-10 VACCINATED THERAPY FOR CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULARIZATION
CA2764562A CA2764562A1 (en) 2009-06-11 2010-06-10 Vaccine therapy for choroidal neovascularization
US13/377,110 US8975229B2 (en) 2009-06-11 2010-06-10 Methods for treating a disease caused by choroidal neovascularization
AU2010259797A AU2010259797B2 (en) 2009-06-11 2010-06-10 Vaccine therapy for choroidal neovascularization
JP2011552249A JP5688587B2 (ja) 2009-06-11 2010-06-10 脈絡膜新血管新生に対するワクチン療法
RU2012100241/15A RU2555345C2 (ru) 2009-06-11 2010-06-10 Лечение хориоидальной неоваскуляризации с помощью вакцин
SG2011090933A SG176737A1 (en) 2009-06-11 2010-06-10 Vaccine therapy for choroidal neovascularization
IL216402A IL216402A0 (en) 2009-06-11 2011-11-17 Vaccine therapy for choroidal neovascularization

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