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, the method comprising administering in any order to the patient an immunotherapy consisting of,
a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody to a Her2/neu antigen the patient; and
a therapeutically effective amount of a peptide vaccine comprising a Her2/neu peptide antigen consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, as the sole peptide in the vaccine.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the peptide vaccine is administered before, after or at the same time as administration of the antibody.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein administration of the peptide and the antibody have a synergistic effect on the patient.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cancer is breast cancer.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the antibody is trastuzumab.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the peptide vaccine is administered after administration of trastuzumab.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the antibody is trastuzumab.
8. The method of claim 1 , 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 antibody is trastuzumab.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the peptide vaccine is administered after administration of trastuzumab.
11. A method for inducing an immune response to HER2/neu in a patient with a cancer expressing HER2/neu, the method consisting of administering to the patient in any order,
(a) an antibody that binds to the Her2/neu antigen; and
(b) a peptide vaccine comprising a HER2/neu peptide antigen consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, as the sole peptide in the vaccine.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the antibody is trastuzumab.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the cancer is selected from the group consisting of prostate cancer, ovarian cancer and breast cancer.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the antibody is trastuzumab.
15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the cancer is breast cancer.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the antibody is trastuzumab.