LY6K EPITOPE PEPTIDES FOR TH1 CELLS AND VACCINES CONTAINING THE SAME

摘要

Isolated LY6K-derived epitope peptides having Th1 cell inducibility are disclosed herein. Such peptides can be recognized by MHC class II molecules and induce Th1 cells. In preferred embodiments, such a peptide of the present invention can be promiscuously bind to MHC class II molecules and induce LY6K-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in addition to Th1 cells. Such peptides are thus suitable for use in enhancing immune response in a subject, and accordingly find use in cancer immunotherapy, in particular, as cancer vaccines. Also disclosed herein are polynucleotides that encode any of the aforementioned peptides, APCs and Th1 cells induced by such peptides and methods of induction associated therewith. Pharmaceutical compositions that comprise any of the aforementioned components as active ingredients find use in the treatment and/or prevention of cancers or tumors.

主权项

1. An isolated peptide having 10-30 amino acids in length and comprising a part of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8, wherein said peptide comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:
(a) a contiguous amino acid sequence having more than 9 amino acids in length selected from the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2; and (b) an amino acid sequence in which one, two or several amino acids are substituted, deleted, inserted, and/or added in the amino acid sequence of (a), wherein said peptide has ability to induce T helper type 1 (Th1) cells.