Page-4, an X-linked gage-like gene expressed in normal and neoplastic prostate, testis and uterus, and uses therefor

Abstract

PAGE-4 is a gene preferentially expressed in normal male and female reproductive tissues, prostate, testis, fallopian tube, uterus and placenta, as well as in prostate cancer, testicular cancer and uterine cancer. This expression pattern makes it a target for diagnosis and for vaccine based therapy of neoplasms of prostate, testis and uterus. The invention provides immunogenic compositions comprising PAGE-4 protein or immunogenic peptides thereof, methods of inhibiting the growth of malignant cells expressing PAGE-4, and methods of inducing an enhanced immune response to PAGE-4-expressing cancers.

1 - 49 . (canceled)  
     
     
         50 . An isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding 
 (a) a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO: 1;    (b) a polypeptide consisting of 8 to 11 contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the polypeptide binds major histocompatibility complex (MHC).    
     
     
         51 . The isolated nucleic acid molecule of  claim 50 , wherein the nucleic acid encodes a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO: 1.  
     
     
         52 . The isolated nucleic acid molecule of  claim 50 , wherein the isolated nucleic acid encodes a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO: 1.  
     
     
         53 . A vector comprising the isolated nucleic acid molecule of claim  1 .  
     
     
         54 . The vector of  claim 53 , wherein the vector is a viral vector.  
     
     
         55 . The vector of  claim 53 , wherein the vector is a bacterial vector.  
     
     
         56 . An isolated host cell transformed with the vector of  claim 53 .  
     
     
         57 . The isolated host cell of  claim 56 , wherein the host cell is a prokaryote.  
     
     
         58 . The isolated host cell of  claim 57 , wherein the host cell is an  E. coli.    
     
     
         59 . The isolated host cell of  claim 56 , wherein the host cell is a mammalian cell.  
     
     
         60 . A composition comprising an effective amount of the nucleic acid molecule of  claim 50  in a carrier.  
     
     
         61 . A method for detecting the presence of a prostate cell, a prostate cancer cell, or both in a biological sample, comprising 
 contacting isolated nucleic acids from the biological sample or amplified from the biological sample with the nucleic acid molecule of claim  1  or the complement thereof under conditions for specific hybridization; and    detecting hybridization between the nucleic acids from the biological sample with the nucleic acid molecule of claim  1 , wherein the presence of hybridization indicates the presence of a prostate cell, the prostate cancer cell, or both.    
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein the method comprises contacting nucleic acids amplified from the biological sample with the nucleic acid molecule of claim  1 , and where the nucleic acid amplified from the biological sample are amplified by polymerase chain reaction.  
     
     
         63 . A kit, comprising 
 (i) the isolated nucleic acid of claim  1  or the complement thereof; and    (ii) instructions printed on a tangible medium, describing the detection of nucleic acid molecules in a sample.