Powerful MHC-class II peptides derived from survivin
The present invention relates to peptides, nucleic acids, and cells for use in the immunotherapy of cancer. The present invention furthermore relates to survivin-derived tumor-associated cytotoxic T cell (CTL) peptide epitopes, alone or in combination with other tumor-associated peptides that serve as active pharmaceutical ingredients of vaccine compositions that stimulate anti-tumor immune responses. The present invention specifically relates to three novel peptide sequences and variants thereof derived from HLA class I and class II molecules of human tumor cells that can be used in vaccine compositions for eliciting anti-tumor immune responses.
1. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a single peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of TLGEFLKLDRERAKD (SEQ ID NO:3) and an immunologically effective amount of an adjuvant.
2. A kit, comprising:
(a) a container that contains the pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1 in solution or in lyophilized form;
(b) optionally, a second container containing a diluent or reconstituting solution for the lyophilized formulation; and
(c) optionally, instructions for the use of the solution and/or the reconstitution and/or use of the lyophilized formulation.
3. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a single peptide consisting essentially of a peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of TLGEFLKLDRERAKD (SEQ ID NO:3) and an immunologically effective amount of an adjuvant.