Methods for the identification of allo-antigens and their use for cancer therapy and transplantation

摘要

The present invention delivers a new concept for the identification of allo-antigens, which has so far been an unresolved technical problem, furthermore calls for new strategies in immunotherapy. Since the analysis of HLA-binding proteins can now be done with allo-antigens for which the corresponding amino-acid sequence is known, the present invention also allows the separation of allo-reactive T cells that only recognize tumor cells from those that mediate GVHD. Antigens defined by the new technology are especially useful for diagnosis and vaccination in cancer and transplantation-related diseases.