Cd133 epitopes

Abstract

An immunogen includes an isolated peptide of 800 amino acid residues or fewer having the amino sequence ILSAFSVYV (SEQ ID NO:1) with four or fewer amino acid substitutions, a superagonist variant of SEQ ID NO:1, or an amino acid sequence having the formula: (I/K/T/V/M)-L-(S/L)-(A/E/N/D/Q)-(F/V)-(S/M/V/I)-(V/D/R/G/H)-Y-(V/I/L) (SEQ ID NO:13). The immunogens can be used in compositions and in the treatment of disorders.

1 - 33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a peptide of 800 amino acid residues or fewer comprising the amino sequence ILSAFSVYV (SEQ ID NO:1) with one to four amino acid substitutions within SEQ ID NO:1, wherein there are no amino acid substitutions at position 2 or position 8 of SEQ ID NO:1. 
     
     
         35 . The isolated polynucleotide of  claim 34 , wherein the peptide is 9 to 20 amino acid residues in length. 
     
     
         36 . The isolated polynucleotide of  claim 34 , wherein the peptide comprises two amino acid substitutions within SEQ ID NO:1. 
     
     
         37 . The isolated polynucleotide of  claim 34 , wherein the peptide comprises one amino acid substitution within SEQ ID NO:1. 
     
     
         38 . An expression vector comprising the polynucleotide of  claim 34 . 
     
     
         39 . The expression vector of  claim 38 , wherein the expression vector is a plasmid or a viral vector. 
     
     
         40 . A host cell comprising the expression vector of  claim 38 . 
     
     
         41 . The host cell of  claim 40 , wherein the host cell is selected from the group consisting of a COS-7, C127, 3T3, CHO, HeLa and BHK cell. 
     
     
         42 . A method for treating a human subject with a cancer characterized by tumor cells expressing a class I MHC molecule, the method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising the polynucleotide of  claim 34 . 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the polynucleotide comprises an expression vector. 
     
     
         44 . A method for treating a human subject with a cancer characterized by tumor cells expressing a class I MHC molecule, the method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a peptide comprising 800 amino acid residues or fewer comprising the amino sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 (ILSAFSVYV) with four or fewer amino acid substitutions within SEQ ID NO:1, wherein there are no amino acid substitutions at position 2 or position 8 of SEQ ID NO:1. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the composition further comprises an adjuvant, cytokine, or vehicle. 
     
     
         46 . A polypeptide of 9 to 20 amino acid residues in length comprising a peptide consisting of the sequence ILSAFSVYV (SEQ ID NO:1) with four or fewer amino acid substitutions within SEQ ID NO:1, wherein there are no amino acid substitutions at position 2 or position 8 of SEQ ID NO:1. 
     
     
         47 . The polypeptide of  claim 46 , wherein the polypeptide is linked to an immunogenic carrier. 
     
     
         48 . A method of immunizing a human subject, the method comprising administering to the subject the polypeptide of  claim 46 .