Targeted identification of immunogenic peptides
This invention relates generally to identifying peptide sequences involved in antibody binding to any protein for synthesis of vaccine treatments. This novel method allows for a more manageable vaccine peptide discovery and specific generation of unique immunogenic peptides from self-tumor associated proteins and/or foreign proteins from infectious organisms for specific and/or enhanced expression only in the presence of the antibody.
1. A method for treating a patient with a cancer expressing HER2/neu comprising administering to the patient an immunotherapy consisting of,
(a) a therapeutically effective amount of trastuzumab; and
(b) a therapeutically effective amount of a peptide vaccine comprising a HER2/neu peptide antigen consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, as the sole peptide antigen in the vaccine.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein administration of trazstuzumab and the peptide vaccine have a synergistic effect on the patient.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the patient is a breast cancer patient.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cancer is selected from the group consisting of prostate cancer, ovarian cancer and breast cancer.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the peptide vaccine is administered after administration of the trastuzumab.
6. A method of inducing an immune response to HER2/neu in a patient with a cancer expressing HER2/neu, the method consisting of administering a therapeutically effective amount of,
(a) trastuzumab; and
(b) a peptide vaccine comprising a HER2/neu peptide antigen consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, as the sole peptide antigen in the vaccine.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the peptide vaccine is administered after administration of the trastuzumab.
8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the cancer is selected from the group consisting of prostate cancer, ovarian cancer and breast cancer.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the cancer is breast cancer.