IMMUNOGENIC, MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY

1 . An immunogenic anti-idiotypical antibody which comprises at least two different epitopes of a tumor-associated antigen, one epitope being derived from the group of peptides or proteins and one epitope being derived from the group of carbohydrates.

2 . The antibody according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises at least one epitope of an antigen selected from the group consisting of peptides or proteins, carbohydrates, and glycolipids.

3 . The antibody according to any one of claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that it comprises at least two epitopes of EpCAM.

4 . The antibody according to claim 1 , characterized in that it is conjugated with a peptide, glycopeptide, carbohydrate, lipid or nucleic acid.

5 . The antibody according to claim 4 , characterized in that said peptide, glycopeptide, carbohydrate, lipid or nucleic acid represents an epitope of a tumor-associated antigen.

6 . The antibody according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises at least one epitope of EpCAM and at least one epitope of Lewis Y.

7 . The antibody according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises at least one epitope of EpCAM and at least one epitope of sialylTn.

8 . The antibody according to claim 1 , characterized in that it is a human, humanized, chimeric or murine antibody.

9 . The antibody according to claim 1 , characterized in that it is a recombinant antibody.

10 . The antibody according to claim 1 , characterized in that it is an antibody derivative selected from the group consisting of antibody fragments, conjugates or homologs.

11 . (canceled)

12 . (canceled)

13 . (canceled)

14 . The antibody according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises a specificity for an antibody.

15 . (canceled)

16 . The antibody according to claim 1 , characterized in that it recognizes the idiotype of an antibody against a tumor-associated antigen.

17 . The antibody according to claim 16 , characterized in that said antigen is selected from the group consisting of peptides or proteins, carbohydrates, and glycolipids.

18 . A pharmaceutical preparation comprising an immunogenic antibody according to claim 1 .

19 . A diagnostic agent comprising an immunogenic anti-idiotypical antibody according to claim 1 .

20 . A vaccine formulation comprising an immunogenic antibody according to claim 1 .

21 . A vaccine formulation according to claim 20 , characterized in that said antibody is contained in an immunogenic amount of 0.01 μg to 10 mg.

22 . A vaccine formulation according to any one of claim 20 or 21 , characterized in that at least one vaccine adjuvant is contained.

23 . A method for producing an immunogenic anti-idiotypical antibody according to claim 1 , by

a) providing an antibody including the idiotype of a tumor-associated antigen; and

b) coupling at least one epitope of a tumor-associated antigen or its mimicry to said antibody.

24 . A method for producing an immunogenic anti-idiotypical antibody according to claim 1 , by

a) providing an antibody; and

b) coupling at least two epitopes of a tumor-associated antigen or its mimicry to said antibody.

25 . A method for producing an immunogenic anti-idiotypical antibody according to claim 1 , by

a) providing a nucleic acid encoding an antibody including the idiotype of a tumor-associated antigen; and

b) recombining said nucleic acid with a nucleic acid encoding an epitope of a tumor-associated antigen or its mimicry.

26 . A method for producing an immunogenic anti-idiotypical antibody according to claim 1 , by

a) providing a nucleic acid encoding an antibody; and

b) recombining said nucleic acid with one or several nucleic acid(s) encoding at least two epitopes of a tumor-associated antigen or its mimicry.

27 . (canceled)

28 . A method for producing an immunogenic anti-idiotypical antibody according to claim 1 , characterized in that an epitope of a tumor-associated antigen or its mimicry is conjugated to said antibody as a carrier.

29 . A method according to claim 28 , characterized in that said antigen is selected from the group consisting of peptides or proteins, carbohydrates, and glycolipids.

30 . A method according to claim 28 or 29 , characterized in that a nucleic acid encoding an epitope of a peptide or protein antigen is conjugated to said antibody.

31 . A method according to any one of claims 28 to 29 , characterized in that said antibody comprises at least one further epitope of a tumor-associated antigen.

32 . The immunogenic antibody according to claim 2 or 17 , wherein the peptide or protein is selected from the group consisting of EpCAM, NCAM, CEA and T-cell peptides, the carbohydrate is selected from the group consisting of Lewis Y, sialylTn, GloboH, and the glycolipids are selected from the group consisting of GD2, GD3 and GM2.

33 . The method according to claim 29 , wherein the peptide or protein is selected from the group consisting of EpCAM, NCAM, CEA and T-cell peptides, the carbohydrate is selected from the group consisting of Lewis Y, sialylTn, GloboH, and the glycolipids are selected from the group consisting of GD2, GD3 and GM2.