Hla-dr binding peptides and their uses

Abstract

The present invention provides HLA-DR (MHC class II) binding peptides derived from the ovarian/breast cancer associated antigens, Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER-2/neu), Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA), Insulin Growth Factor Binding Protein 2 (IGFBP-2), and Cyclin D1. The immunogenic peptides can be used in cancer vaccines.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method for eliciting an immune response to a tumor antigen within a mammal, wherein said method comprises administering a vaccine composition to said mammal, wherein said vaccine composition comprises an adjuvant and an isolated HLA-DR binding peptide having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:145, and further comprises at least one additional peptide having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:89 or SEQ ID NO:90. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said mammal is a human. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said vaccine composition further comprises a HTL-inducing peptide. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said vaccine composition further comprises a CTL peptide. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said vaccine composition further comprises a lipid. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said vaccine composition further comprises a liposome. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said vaccine composition further comprises at least two Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) HTL peptides, at least two Cyclin D1 HTL peptides, and at least two Insulin Growth Factor Binding Protein 2 (IGFBP-2) HTL peptides. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one additional peptide has the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:89. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one additional peptide has the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:90.