Immune reactivity to HER-2/
Methods for the detection, monitoring and treatment of malignancies in which the HER-2/neu oncogene is associated are disclosed. Detection of specific T cell activation (e.g., by measuring the proliferation of T cells) in response to in vitro exposure to the HER-2/neu protein, or detection of immunocomplexes formed between the HER-2/neu protein and antibodies in body fluid, allows the diagnosis of the presence of a malignancy in which the HER-2/neu oncogene is associated. The present invention also discloses methods and compositions, including peptides, for treating such malignancies.
1. An isolated peptide consisting of one of the amino acid sequences:
Leu-Leu-Val-Val-Val-Leu-Gly-Val-Val (Seq. ID No. 5);
Arg-Leu-Leu-Gln-Glu-Thr-Glu-Leu-Val (Seq. ID No. 6);
Asp-Leu-Ala-Ala-Arg-Asn-Val-Leu-Val (Seq. ID No. 8);
Thr-Leu-Ser-Pro-Gly-Lys-Asn-Gly-Val (Seq. ID No. 10);
Asp-Leu-Leu-Glu-Lys-Gly-Glu-Arg-Leu (Seq. ID No. 20);
Asp-Leu-Val-Asp-Ala-Glu-Glu-Tyr-Leu (Seq. ID No. 23); or
Ile-Leu-Asp-Glu-Ala-Tyr-Val-Met-Ala-Gly-Val (Seq. ID No. 28).
2. An isolated peptide according to claim 1 consisting of the amino acid sequence of Leu-Leu-Val-Val-Val-Leu-Gly-Val-Val (Seq. ID No. 5).
3. An isolated peptide according to claim 1 consisting of the amino acid sequence of Arg-Leu-Leu-Gln-Glu-Thr-Glu-Leu-Val (Seq. ID No. 6).
4. An isolated peptide according to claim 1 consisting of the amino acid sequence of Asp-Leu-Ala-Ala-Arg-Asn-Val-Leu-Val (Seq. ID No. 8).
5. An isolated peptide according to claim 1 consisting of the amino acid sequence of Thr-Leu-Ser-Pro-Gly-Lys-Asn-Gly-Val (Seq. ID No. 10).
6. An isolated peptide according to claim 1 consisting of the amino acid sequence of Asp-Leu-Leu-Glu-Lys-Gly-Glu-Arg-Leu (Seq. ID No. 20).
7. An isolated peptide according to claim 1 consisting of the amino acid sequence of Asp-Leu-Val-Asp-Ala-Glu-Glu-Tyr-Leu (Seq. ID No. 23).
8. An isolated peptide according to claim 1 consisting of the amino acid sequence of Ile-Leu-Asp-Glu-Ala-Tyr-Val-Met-Ala-Gly-Val (Seq. ID No. 28).