Modified CEA nucleic acid and expression vectors
The present invention relates to a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide and the use of the nucleic acid or polypeptide in preventing and/or treating cancer. The invention relates to improved vectors for the insertion and expression of foreign genes encoding tumor antigens for use in immunotherapeutic treatment of cancer. One such foreign DNA sequence is modified CEA nucleic acid.
1. A method for preventing or treating a CEA antigen expressing cancer in a host comprising initially administering CEA antigen to the host using an expression vector comprising SEQ ID NO:28 and subsequently administering CEA antigen to the host using a different type of expression vector and/or a peptide.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein one or both of the expression vectors is a plasmid or a viral vector.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein one or both of the expression vectors is selected from the group consisting of poxvirus, adenovirus, retrovirus, herpesvirus, and adeno-associated virus.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein one or both of the expression vectors is selected from the group consisting of vaccinia, NYVAC, avipox, canarypox, ALVAC, ALVAC(2), fowlpox, and TROVAC.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein one or both of the expression vectors further comprise a nucleic acid sequence encoding a co-stimulatory molecule.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the co-stimulatory molecule is human B7.1.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein one or both expression vectors further comprise a nucleic acid sequence encoding at least one additional tumor-associated antigen.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein one or both expression vectors further comprise at least one angiogenesis-associated antigen.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein one or both expression vectors is admixed with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein the peptide is admixed with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.