MELANOMA ANTIGENS AND THEIR USE IN DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC METHODS

• US 20080292647A1
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Published: 11/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/1994
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Government of the United States of America
• Original Assignee: Government of the United States of America
• Inventors: Rosenberg, Steven A., Kawakami, Yutaka
• Granted Patent: US 7,763,586 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/184.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2039/5256 expressing foreign proteins
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2039/53 DNA (RNA) vaccination
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2239/31 characterized by the route of administration
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2239/38 characterised by the dose, timing or administration schedule
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 38/00 Medicinal preparations containing peptides peptides containing beta-lactam rings A61K31/00; cyclic dipeptides not having in their molecule any other peptide link than those which form their ring, e.g. piperazine-2,5-diones, A61K31/00; ergot alkaloids of the cyclic peptide type A61K31/48; containing macromolecular compounds having statistically distributed amino acid units A61K31/74; medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies A61K39/00; medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients, e.g. peptides as drug carriers, A61K47/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 39/00 Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies materials for immunoassay G01N33/53
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 39/00119 Melanoma antigens
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 39/001191 Melan-A/MART
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 39/001192 Glycoprotein 100 [Gp100]
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 39/4611 T-cells, e.g. tumor infiltrating lymphocytes [TIL], lymphokine-activated killer cells [LAK] or regulatory T cells [Treg]
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 39/46449 Melanoma antigens
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 39/464491 Melan-A/MART
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 39/464492 Glycoprotein 100 [Gp100]
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 35/00 Antineoplastic agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 37/04 Immunostimulants
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 14/47 from mammals
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 14/4748 Tumour specific antigens; Tumour rejection antigen precursors [TRAP], e.g. MAGE
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/5743 of skin, e.g. melanoma

Abstract

The present invention provides a nucleic acid sequence encoding a melanoma antigen recognized by T lymphocytes, designated MART-1. This invention further relates to bioassays using the nucleic acid sequence, protein or antibodies of this invention to diagnose, assess or prognoses a mammal afflicted with melanoma or metastata melanoma. This invention also provides immunogenic peptides derived from the MART-1 melanoma antigen and a second melanoma antigen designated gp100. This invention further provides immunogenic peptides derived from the MART-1 melanoma antigen or gp100 antigen which have been modified to enhance their immunogenicity. The proteins and peptides provided can serve as an immunogen or vaccine to prevent or treat melanoma.

Claims

1-66. -66. (canceled)

67. A recombinant protein encoded by a nucleic acid comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:

1, or an allelic variation, homolog, or variant thereof.

69. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the recombinant protein of claim 67 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient, or diluent.

70. A method of preventing or treating melanoma comprising administering the pharmaceutical composition of claim 69 to a mammal in an effective amount to stimulate the production of protective antibodies or immune cells.

71. A vaccine for immunizing a mammal comprising a recombinant protein according to claim 67 in a pharmacologically acceptable carrier.

68. An isolated or purified protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:

2 or a substantially homologous sequence thereof.