Immune response inducer
An immunity-inducing agent comprising as an effective ingredient a specific polypeptide is disclosed. These polypeptides were isolated, by the SEREX method using a cDNA library derived from canine testis and serum from a cancer-bearing dog, as a polypeptide which binds to an antibody existing specifically in serum derived from a cancer-bearing living body. The polypeptides can induce immunity in a living body and cause regression of a tumor in a cancer-bearing living body. Therefore, these polypeptides are especially effective as a therapeutic and/or prophylactic agent for a cancer(s).
1. A method for exerting an anti-tumor effect, said method comprising administering to a cancer-bearing individual an effective amount of polypeptide (a) or (b) below, said polypeptide having an immunity-inducing activity, or administering to a cancer-bearing individual an effective amount of a recombinant vector, wherein said recombinant vector comprises a polynucleotide encoding said polypeptide and is capable of expressing said polypeptide in vivo:
(a) a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:16, or SEQ ID NO:18;
(b) a polypeptide having a homology of not less than 95% to SEQ ID NO:16 or SEQ ID NO:18 which has immunity inducing activity,
and wherein said cancer is calmegin-expressing cancer.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said polypeptide (b) has a homology of not less than 98%.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said polypeptide having an immunity-inducing activity has the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 16, or SEQ ID NO:18.
4. The method according to any one of claim 1 , 2 , or 3 , wherein an effective amount of said polypeptide is administered.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said individual is a human, a dog or a cat.
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the polypeptide having an immunity-inducing activity has the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:16.
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the polypeptide having an immunity-inducing activity has the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:18.
8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein immunocytes that exert an antitumor effect are induced in said cancer-bearing individual.
9. A method for exerting an anti-tumor effect, said method comprising administering to a cancer-bearing individual an effective amount of polypeptide (a) or (b) below, said polypeptide having an immunity-inducing activity, or administering to an individual an effective amount of a recombinant vector, wherein said recombinant vector comprises a polynucleotide encoding said polypeptide and is capable of expressing said polypeptide in vivo:
(a) a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:16;
(b) a polypeptide having a homology of not less than 95% to SEQ ID NO:16 which has immunity inducing activity.
10. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising administering an immunoenhancer.
11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein said immunoenhancer is at least one selected from the group consisting of: Freund's incomplete adjuvant; Montanide; poly I:C and derivatives thereof; CpG oligonucleotides; interleukin-12; interleukin-18; interferon-α; interferon-β; interferon-ω; interferon-γ; and Flt3 ligand.