MHC Class I Peptide Epitopes from the Human 5T4 Tumor-Associated Antigen

Abstract

There is provided an MHC class I peptide epitope from 5T4 antigen. In particular, there is provided a peptide epitope of 5T4 which comprises one of the following: (i) the amino acid sequence shown as SEQ ID NO: 2; (ii) the minimal epitope from the amino acid sequence shown as SEQ ID NO: 3; (iii) the minimal epitope from the amino acid sequence shown as SEQ ID NO: 4; (iv) the minimal epitope from the amino acid sequence shown as SEQ ID NO: 5; (v) the minimal epitope from the amino acid sequence shown as SEQ ID NO: 6; (vi) the minimal epitope from the amino acid sequence shown as SEQ ID NO: 7. There is also provided a vaccine comprising such a peptide (or precursor thereof) and its use to treat and/or prevent a disease, in particular a cancerous disease.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A nucleic acid molecule capable of encoding an MHC class I peptide epitope of 5T4 comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 8. 
     
     
         23 . A vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule of  claim 22 .