Polypeptide

Abstract

Canine and feline 5T4 polypeptide sequences and nucleotide sequences encoding them are provided. A vector system comprising a nucleic acid encoding 5T4 and a 5T4-specific agent are also provided.

1 . A canine 5T4 polypeptide having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID No 1 or a variant, homologue, fragment or derivative thereof. 
     
     
         2 . A nucleotide sequence capable of encoding a canine 5T4 polypeptide according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         3 . A nucleotide sequence according to  claim 2 , having the sequence shown as SEQ ID NO 2 or a variant, homologue, fragment or derivative thereof. 
     
     
         4 . A feline 5T4 polypeptide having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID No 3 or a variant, homologue, fragment or derivative thereof. 
     
     
         5 . A nucleotide sequence capable of encoding a feline 5T4 polypeptide according to  claim 4 . 
     
     
         6 . A nucleotide sequence according to  claim 5 , having the sequence shown as SEQ ID NO 4 or a variant, homologue, fragment or derivative thereof. 
     
     
         7 . A vector system which comprises a polynucleotide encoding a canine or feline 5T4 antigen. 
     
     
         8 . A vector system according to  claim 7 , wherein the polynucleotide encodes a 5T4 polypeptide or a variant, homologue, fragment or derivative thereof according to  claim 1  or  3 . 
     
     
         9 . A vector system according to  claim 7  or  8 , which is an MVA vector system. 
     
     
         10 . An agent specific for a canine or feline 5T4 polypeptide according to  claim 1  or  3 , or a variant, homologue, fragment or derivative thereof. 
     
     
         11 . An agent according to  claim 10  which is an antibody. 
     
     
         12 . An agent according to  claim 11  which is an ScFv antibody. 
     
     
         13 . A kit comprising a vector system according to any of  claims 7  or  8  and an agent according to any of  claims 10  to  12  or a precursor thereof for simultaneous, separate or sequential administration to a subject 
     
     
         14 . A vaccine, a priming composition or a boosting composition which comprises a polypeptide (or a variant, homologue, fragment or derivative thereof) according to  claim 1  or  4 , a polynucleotide (or a variant, homologue, fragment or derivative thereof) according to  claim 2 ,  3 ,  5  or  6 , a vector system according to any of  claims 7  or  8 , or an agent according to any of  claims 10  to  12 . 
     
     
         15 . A vaccination kit which comprises:
 a first composition comprising a polynucleotide encoding a canine or feline 5T4 antigen, and   a second composition comprising a vector system according to any of  claims 7  or  8  for simultaneous, separate or sequential administration to a subject.   
     
     
         16 . A kit according to  claim 15 , wherein the second composition comprises a polynucleotide according to  claim 2 ,  3 ,  5  or  6 . 
     
     
         17 . The use of a vaccine, a priming composition or a boosting composition according to  claim 14 , or a kit according to  claim 15  or  16  in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment and/or prevention of a disease in a subject 
     
     
         18 . A method for treating and/or preventing a disease in a subject which comprises the step of administering a vaccine, a priming composition or a boosting composition according to  claim 14 , or a kit according to  claim 15  or  16  to the subject. 
     
     
         19 . The use according to  claim 17  or the method according to  claim 18 , wherein the disease is cancer.