METHOD FOR INDUCING AN IMMUNE RESPONSE FOR TREATMENT OF CANCER AND AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES OR CONDITIONS

摘要

The invention is related to peptide constracts, i.e., polypeptides obtained by linking together two or more peptides based on or derived from different molecules, which are useful in the treatment or prevention of cancer or the treatment of autoimmune diseases and compositions containing same, methods for producing same, and methods for using same: wherein the peptide constructs have the formula P1-x-P2 where P2 is a peptide associated with forms of cancer or an autoimmune condition and P1 is a peptide which will bind to a class of immune cells such as dendritic cells. The peptide construct can cause the maturation of immature dendritic cells to a more mature state. The peptide construct or the more mature dendritic cells can be administered to a subject to a modulate or to initiate an immune response against cancer cells, and can be sued with dyes, radioisotopes, or therapeutic agents for detection of the immune target and/or treatment of cancer and autoimmune conditions.

主权项

1. A peptide for directing an immune response in a subject as a vaccine or to modulate immune response in an autoimmune disease or cancer, or for maturing dendritic cells, comprising a peptide construct having the formula P1-x-P2 or P2-x-P1, wherein
P2 represents a specific antigenic peptide competent for recognition by a class or subclass of immune cells or binding to an antibody; P1 represents an immunomodulatory peptide which is a portion of an immunoprotein capable of promoting binding to a class or subclass of immune cells and directing a subsequent immune response to the peptide P2; and x represents a covalent bond or a divalent linking group, wherein the peptide P2 is derived from a cancer cell or derived from a protein involved in an autoimmune disease.