Abstract: Disclosed is a method and composition for treating tumors or infectious diseases, wherein the composition includes CD40 binding molecules together with CTL-activating peptides, e.g., tumor antigens. Such composition is useful for enhancing the anti-tumor effect of a peptide tumor vaccine, or for otherwise activating CTLs so that the activated CTLs can act against tumorous or infected cells. The CD40 binding molecules can include antibody molecules, as well as homologues, analogues and modified or derived forms thereof, including immunoglobulin fragments like Fab, F(ab?)2 and Fv, as well as other molecules including peptides, oligonucleotides, peptidomimetics and organic compounds which bind to CD40 and activate the CTL response.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and composition for treating tumors or infectious diseases, wherein the composition includes CD40 binding molecules together with CTL-activating peptides, e.g., tumor antigens. Such composition is useful for enhancing the anti-tumor effect of a peptide tumor vaccine, or for otherwise activating CTLs so that the activated CTLs can act against tumorous or infected cells. The CD40 binding molecules can include antibody molecules, as well as homologues, analogues and modified or derived forms thereof, including immunoglobulin fragments like Fab, (Fab?)2 and Fv, as well as other molecules including peptides, oligonucleotides, peptidomimetics and organic compounds which bind to CD40 and activate the CTL response.

Abstract: Complexes of SEQ ID NO: 12 and HLA-A2 can be used to generate CTLs. They can be supplemented with IL-6 and IL-12.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel vehicle for vaccination, in particular peptide vaccination. The new vehicle has been termed an exosome. Exosomes are vesicles derived from MHC class II enriched compartments in antigen presenting cells. The exosomes possess MHC II and/or MHC I molecules at their surface and possibly peptides derived from processed antigens in said MHC's. Thus the exosome is a perfect vaccination vehicle in that it presents the peptide in a natural setting. The peptides present in the exosome in the MHC molecule may be processed by the antigen presenting cell from which the exosome is derived. Empty MHC molecules on exosomes may also be loaded with peptides afterwards.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and composition for treating tumors or infectious diseases, wherein the composition comprises an agonist anti-CD40 antibody or a fragment thereof. The anti-CD40 antibody molecules include fragments like Fab, (Fab′)2 and Fv. The composition can also include an agonistic anti-4-1BB antibody or fragment thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and composition for treating tumors or infectious diseases, wherein the composition includes CD40 binding molecules together with CTL-activating peptides, e.g., tumor antigens. Such composition is useful for enhancing the anti-tumor effect of a peptide tumor vaccine, or for otherwise activating CTLs so that the activated CTLs can act against tumorous or infected cells. The CD40 binding molecules can include antibody molecules, as well as homologues, analogues and modified or derived forms thereof, including immunoglobulin fragments like Fab, (Fab′)2 and Fv, as well as other molecules including peptides, oligonucleotides, peptidomimetics and organic compounds which bind to CD40 and activate the CTL response.

Abstract: The invention describes peptides derived from tumor rejection antigen precursor MAGE-2. These peptides bind with HLA-A2 molecules, thus presenting complexes which provoke cytolytic T cell production. The resulting "CTLs" are specific for complexes of HLA-A2 and the peptide. The complexes can be used to generate monoclonal antibodies. The cytolytic T cells produced may be used in the context of immunotherapy, such as adoptive transfer.

Abstract: The invention describes peptides derived from tumor rejection antigen precursor MAGE-2. These peptides bind with HLA-A2 molecules, thus presenting complexes which provoke cytolytic T cell production. The resulting "CTLs" are specific for complexes of HLA-A2 and the peptide. The complexes can be used to generate monoclonal antibodies. The cytolytic T cells produced may be used in the context of immunotherapy, such as adoptive transfer.

Abstract: Induction of an antigen-specific T-lymphocyte response in a T-lymphocyte culture, e.g. a primary cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response, by loading antigen-presenting vehicles which carry empty MHC molecules with an antigen-derived T-cell-immunogenic MHC-binding peptide, culturing T-lymphocytes in the presence of the peptide-loaded antigen-presenting vehicles under specific T-lymphocyte response-inducing conditions. Optionally, an antigen-specific T-lymphocyte is isolated from the resulting culture and cultured. The process can be used for preparing CTL which are specific for viral or other foreign antigens, or CTL which are specific for autologous peptides. The process can also be used for the identification of peptides that are capable of binding to MHC and inducing a T cell response.

Abstract: The invention describes peptides derived from tumor rejection antigen precursor MAGE-2. These peptides bind with HLA-A2 molecules, thus presenting complexes which provoke cytolytic T cell production. The resulting "CTLs" are specific for complexes of HLA-A2 and the peptide. The complexes can be used to generate monoclonal antibodies. The cytolytic T cells produced may be used in the context of immunotherapy, such as adoptive transfer.