Cancer vaccines and methods of treatment using the same

Abstract

Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for treating cancer and in particular vaccines that treat and provide protection against tumor growth.

1 .- 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A nucleic acid molecule comprising one or more nucleotide sequences selected from the group consisting of: a nucleotide sequence that is about 95% identical or greater to the nucleotide sequence of tyrosinase (Tyr) (SEQ ID NO: 1); a nucleotide sequence that is about 95% identical or greater to the nucleotide sequence of tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TYRP1) (SEQ ID NO: 3); a nucleotide sequence that is about 95% identical or greater to the nucleotide sequence of tyrosinase-related protein 2 (TYRP2) (SEQ ID NO: 5); a nucleotide sequence that is about 95% identical or greater to the nucleotide sequence of melanoma-associated antigen 4 protein (MAGEA4) (SEQ ID NO: 7); a nucleotide sequence that is about 95% identical or greater to the nucleotide sequence of growth hormone release hormone (GHRH) (SEQ ID NO: 9); a nucleotide sequence that is about 95% identical or greater to the nucleotide sequence of MART-1/melan-A antigen (MART-1/Melan-A)(SEQ ID NO: 11); a nucleotide sequence that is about 95% identical or greater to the nucleotide sequence of cancer testis antigen (NY-ESO-1)(SEQ ID NO: 13); a nucleotide sequence that is about 95% identical or greater to the nucleotide sequence of cancer testis antigen II (NY-ESO-2)(SEQ ID NO:15); a nucleotide sequence that is about 95% identical or greater to the nucleotide sequence of PRAME (SEQ ID NO: 17); a nucleotide sequence that is about 95% identical or greater to the nucleotide sequence of WT1 (SEQ ID NO: 19); a nucleotide sequence that is about 95% identical or greater to the nucleotide sequence of WT1 (SEQ ID NO: 21); a nucleotide sequence that is about 95% identical or greater to the nucleotide sequence of hTERT (SEQ ID NO: 23); SEQ ID NO: 1; SEQ ID NO: 3; SEQ ID NO: 5; SEQ ID NO: 7; SEQ ID NO: 9; SEQ ID NO: 11; SEQ ID NO: 13; SEQ ID NO: 15; SEQ ID NO: 17; SEQ ID NO: 19; SEQ ID NO: 21; SEQ ID NO: 23. 
     
     
         26 . The nucleic acid molecule of  claim 25 , wherein the nucleic acid molecule comprises one or more nucleotide sequences selected from the group consisting of: a nucleotide sequence that is about 95% identical or greater to the nucleotide sequence of tyrosinase (Tyr) (SEQ ID NO: 1); a nucleotide sequence that is about 95% identical or greater to the nucleotide sequence of tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TYRP1) (SEQ ID NO: 3); a nucleotide sequence that is about 95% identical or greater to the nucleotide sequence of tyrosinase-related protein 2 (TYRP2) (SEQ ID NO: 5); a nucleotide sequence that is about 95% identical or greater to the nucleotide sequence of melanoma-associated antigen 4 protein (MAGEA4) (SEQ ID NO: 7); a nucleotide sequence that is about 95% identical or greater to the nucleotide sequence of growth hormone release hormone (GHRH) (SEQ ID NO: 9); a nucleotide sequence that is about 95% identical or greater to the nucleotide sequence of MART-1/melan-A antigen (MART-1/Melan-A)(SEQ ID NO: 11); a nucleotide sequence that is about 95% identical or greater to the nucleotide sequence of cancer testis antigen (NY-ESO-1)(SEQ ID NO: 13); a nucleotide sequence that is about 95% identical or greater to the nucleotide sequence of cancer testis antigen II (NY-ESO-2)(SEQ ID NO:15); a nucleotide sequence that is about 95% identical or greater to the nucleotide sequence of PRAME (SEQ ID NO: 17); a nucleotide sequence that is about 95% identical or greater to the nucleotide sequence of WT1 (SEQ ID NO: 19); a nucleotide sequence that is about 95% identical or greater to the nucleotide sequence of WT1 (SEQ ID NO: 21); and a nucleotide sequence that is about 95% identical or greater to the nucleotide sequence of hTERT (SEQ ID NO: 23). 
     
     
         27 . The nucleic acid molecule of  claim 25 , wherein the nucleic acid molecule comprises one or more nucleotide sequences selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9, SEQ ID NO: 11, SEQ ID NO: 13, SEQ ID NO: 15, SEQ ID NO: 17, SEQ ID NO: 19, SEQ ID NO: 21, and SEQ ID NO: 23. 
     
     
         28 . The nucleic acid molecule of  claim 25 , wherein the nucleic acid molecule further comprises a nucleic acid encoding one or more antigens selected from the group consisting of: PSA, PSMA, STEAP, PSCA, MAGE A1, gp100, a viral antigen, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         29 . The nucleic acid molecule of  claim 28 , wherein the viral antigen is an antigen from Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV), or Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). 
     
     
         30 . The nucleic acid molecule of  claim 28 , wherein the HBV antigen is an HBV core antigen or a HBV surface antigen, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         31 . The nucleic acid molecule of  claim 28 , wherein the HCV antigen is an HCV NS34A antigen, an HCV NS5A antigen, an HCV NS5B antigen, an HCV NS4B antigen, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         32 . The nucleic acid molecule of  claim 28 , wherein the HPV antigen is an HPV type 6 E6 antigen, an HPV type 6 E7 antigen, an HPV type 11 E6 antigen, an HPV type 11 E7 antigen, an HPV type 16 E6 antigen, an HPV type 16 E7 antigen, an HPV type 18 E6 antigen, an HPV type 18 E7 antigen, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         33 . The nucleic acid molecule of  claim 25 , wherein the nucleic acid molecule is a plasmid. 
     
     
         34 . The nucleic acid molecule of  claim 25 , wherein the nucleic acid molecule is one or more plasmids. 
     
     
         35 . A composition comprising at least one nucleic acid molecule of  claim 25 . 
     
     
         36 . The composition of  claim 35 , wherein the composition further comprises an immune checkpoint inhibitor selected from the group consisting of: anti-PD-1 antibody, anti-PD-L1 antibody, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         37 . The composition of  claim 35 , wherein the composition further comprises an adjuvant. 
     
     
         38 . The composition of  claim 37 , wherein the adjuvant is IL-12, IL-15, IL-28, or RANTES. 
     
     
         39 . The composition of  claim 35 , wherein the composition is a pharmaceutical composition. 
     
     
         40 . A method of preventing or treating cancer in a subject in need thereof, wherein the method comprises administering to the subject at least one nucleic acid molecule of  claim 25  or a composition thereof. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the method further comprises administering an immune checkpoint inhibitor to the subject. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the immune checkpoint inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of: anti-PD-1 antibody, anti-PD-L1 antibody, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the cancer is selected from the group consisting of: melanoma, head and neck cancer, prostate cancer, liver cancer, cervical cancer, recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP), anal cancer, a blood cancer, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         44 . A method of inducing an immune response in a subject in need thereof, wherein the method comprises administering to the subject at least one nucleic acid molecule of  claim 25  or a composition thereof.