Prostatic cancer vaccine

Abstract

Vaccines capable of eliciting an immune antitumor response for prostate tumors are disclosed. The active ingredient in such vaccines is selected from the group consisting of at least one antigen over-represented in the prostate gland or an immunologically effective portion thereof; an expression system capable of generating in situ said antigen or portion; a naked DNA encoding such antigen and portion; and an anti-idiotypic antibody or fragment thereof which mimics said antigen or portion.

1 . A method to induce an antitumor cellular immune response in a potential or actual prostate tumor-bearing subject which method comprises administering to said subject a composition comprising an ingredient which is active to induce said immune response and is selected from the group consisting of 
 at least one antigen overrepresented in the prostate gland or an immunologically effective portion thereof; or    an expression system capable of generating in situ said antigen or an immunologically effective portion thereof;    whereby administration of said composition induces said cellular immune response to at least one antigen overrepresented in the prostate gland.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , where in said antigen is a protein or peptide.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said protein or peptide is selected from the group consisting of prostate specific antigen (PSA), prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA), prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP), and an immunologically effective portion thereof.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said subject is afflicted with metastatic prostate cancer.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said subject has been surgically treated to excise said tumor but is at risk for recurrence.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said composition is administered to said subject prior to surgical excision of said prostate tumor.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said subject is a potential prostate tumor-bearing subject at risk for said tumor.