Promiscuous HER-2/Neu CD4 T cell epitopes
View Patent ↗The present invention relates to the discovery of novel T cell epitopes of the human HER-2/Neu protein that is promiscuous for at least 25 different HLA-DR alleles. The invention also relates to compositions that contain one of the novel epitopes or a fusion peptide of such a epitope and a heterologous polypeptide. Further disclosed herein is the use of the epitopes or their fusion peptides, and compositions containing the epitopes or their fusion peptides.
1. A method for inducing in a patient a T cell immune response specific to a HER-2/Neu protein, the method comprising the step of administering an effective amount of a composition comprising a peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, or 31 to the patient.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a fusion protein comprising the peptide and a heterologous polypeptide.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the peptide is fused to the heterologous polypeptide via a peptide bond.
4. The method of claim, wherein the heterologous polypeptide is a granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF).
5. The method of claim 2 , wherein the peptide has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a physiologically acceptable excipient.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the peptide is selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NOs: 20, 21, 22, or 23.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the peptide is selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NOs: 24, 25, or 26.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the peptide is selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NOs: 27, 28, 29, or 31.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the peptide has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.