GP75 as a tumor vaccine for melanoma

Abstract

The present invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule whose sequence encodes the amino acid sequence for gp75 or a fragment thereof. The present invention further provides an isolated cDNA molecule of the gp75 nucleic acid molecule or a fragment thereof and the amino acid sequence derived therefrom. This invention also provides vaccines for stimulating or enhancing in a subject to whom the vaccine is administered production of antibodies directed against gp75. This invention further provides methods using the vaccines of this invention for stimulating or enhancing production of antibodies against gp75 as well as for treating, preventing or delaying the recurrence of cancer.

1 . An isolated nucleic acid molecule whose sequence encodes the amino acid sequence for gp75.  
     
     
         2 . An isolated nucleic acid molecule whose sequence encodes the amino acid sequence for a fragment of gp75.  
     
     
         3 - 5 . (Canceled)  
     
     
         6 . An isolated cDNA molecule of the nucleic acid molecule of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         7 . An isolated cDNA molecule of the nucleic acid molecule of  claim 2  having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:5.  
     
     
         8 . The amino acid sequence derived from the isolated cDNA molecule of  claim 7 .  
     
     
         9 . An expression vector comprising a DNA sequence essential for replication of the vector combined with the cDNA molecule of  claim 6  adapted for expression in a host.  
     
     
         10 . An expression vector comprising a DNA sequence essential for replication of the vector combined with the cDNA molecule of  claim 7  adapted for expression in a host.  
     
     
         11 . (Canceled)  
     
     
         12 . (Canceled)  
     
     
         13 . A vaccine for stimulating or enhancing in a subject to whom the vaccine is administered production of antibodies directed against gp75 comprising the expression vector of  claim 9 , an effective amount of an adjuvant and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.  
     
     
         14 . A vaccine for stimulating or enhancing in a subject to whom the vaccine is administered production of antibodies directed against gp75 comprising the expression vector of  claim 10 , an effective amount of an adjuvant and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.  
     
     
         15 . A vaccine for stimulating or enhancing in a subject to whom the vaccine is administered production of antibodies directed against gp75 comprising an amount of purified gp75 or a fragment thereof effective to stimulate or enhance antibody production in the subject, an effective amount of an adjuvant and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.  
     
     
         16 . A vaccine for stimulating or enhancing in a subject to whom the vaccine is administered production of antibodies directed against gp75 comprising a polypeptide coded by the amino acid sequence of  claim 8  effective to stimulate or enhance antibody production in the subject, an effective amount of an adjuvant and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.  
     
     
         17 . (Canceled)  
     
     
         18 . (Canceled)  
     
     
         19 . A method for stimulating or enhancing in a subject production of antibodies directed against gp75 comprising administering to the subject the vaccine of any of claims  13 ,  14 ,  15  or  16  in a dose effective for stimulating or enhancing production of the antibodies.  
     
     
         20 . A method for treating cancer in a subject affected with cancer comprising administering to the subject the vaccine of any of claims  13 ,  14 ,  15  or  16  in a dose effective for treating cancer.  
     
     
         21 . A method for preventing cancer in a subject affected with cancer comprising administering to the subject the vaccine of any of claims  13 ,  14 ,  15  or  16  in a dose effective for preventing cancer.  
     
     
         22 . A method for delaying the recurrence of cancer in a subject susceptible to cancer comprising administering to the subject the vaccine of any of claims  13 ,  14 ,  15  or  16  in a dose effective for delaying the recurrence of cancer.  
     
     
         23 .- 25 . (Canceled)