Survivin peptides as cancer vaccines
Provided are compositions and methods for treating survivin expressing cancers. The compositions contain peptide survivin peptide mimics with improved MHC-I binding characteristics. The method involves administering a survivin peptide mimic with improved MHC-I binding characteristics to an individual to effect inhibition of the growth of survivin expressing cancer cells in the individual.
1. A peptide of SEQ ID NO:4 (ENEPDLAQMFFCFKELEGWEPDD) or a fragment thereof, wherein the fragment comprises at least 9 contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:4, and wherein the fragment comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO:5 (QMFFCF).
2. The peptide of claim 1 , wherein the peptide consists of a sequence selected from the group of sequences consisting of SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:15, and SEQ ID NO:16 and SEQ ID NO:17.
3. The peptide of claim 1 , wherein the peptide consists of the sequence of SEQ ID NO:6. (DLAQMFFCFKELEGW).
4. The peptide of claim 1 , wherein the peptide is conjugated to an immunogenic protein carrier.
5. A substantially purified population of mammalian dendritic cells, wherein the dendritic cells have been incubated with a peptide of claim 1 , such that the peptide is taken up by the dendritic cells.
6. The dendritic cells of claim 5 , wherein the peptide consists of the sequence of SEQ ID NO:6.
7. A composition comprising the peptide of claim 1 .
8. The composition of claim 7 , wherein the composition further comprises dendritic cells that have been incubated with the peptide.
9. The composition of claim 7 , further comprising an adjuvant.
10. A method for inhibiting growth of cancer cells in an individual diagnosed with or suspected of having cancer, wherein the cancer cells express survivin, the method comprising administering a composition of claim 7 to the individual, wherein the growth of the cancer cells is inhibited subsequent to said administration.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the individual has been diagnosed with a glioma.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the individual has been diagnosed with lymphoma.
13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the peptide in the composition is conjugated to an immunogenic carrier protein.
14. The method of claim 10 , wherein the peptide in the composition consists of the sequence of SEQ ID NO:6.
15. The method of claim 10 , wherein the peptide in the composition is present in dendritic cells that have taken up the peptide.
16. The method of claim 10 , wherein the cancer cells are present in a tumor.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the composition is administered subsequent to resection of the tumor.
18. The method of claim 10 , wherein the administration of the composition stimulates a cell mediated immune response against survivin in the individual.