Abstract: The present invention generally relates to compositions and methods for delivering a vaccine. The compositions and methods disclosed herein are particularly useful in making prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for treating triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in an individual, and/or for inducing an immune response to HER2/neu in an individual with a triple-negative breast cancer expressing low levels of HER2/neu, the method comprising administering to the individual: (a) an effective amount of trastuzumab, or derivative thereof; and (b) an effective amount of nelipepimut-S, or variant thereof, optionally with an immunological adjuvant. Preferably, the method includes a preparatory or priming phase comprising a frequency and duration of trastuzumab or trastuzumab derivative administration sufficient to substantially increase the major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-mediated presentation of HER2 peptide fragments to the patient immune system. The invention also includes medicaments and kits for treating TNBC in an individual, and/or for inducing an immune response to HER2/neu in an individual with a TNBC expressing HER2/neu.

Abstract: The invention features methods to induce and maintain a protective cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response to a peptide of the HER2/neu oncogene, E75, with the effect of inducing and maintaining protective or therapeutic immunity against breast cancer in a patient in clinical remission. The methods comprise administering to the patient an effective amount of a vaccine composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, an adjuvant such as recombinant human GM-CSF, and the E75 peptide at an optimized dose and schedule. The methods further comprise administering an annual or semi-annual booster vaccine dose due to declining E75-specific T cell immunity. The invention also features vaccine compositions for use in the methods.

Abstract: The invention features methods to induce and maintain a protective cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response to a peptide of the HER2/neu oncogene, E75, with the effect of inducing and maintaining protective or therapeutic immunity against breast cancer in a patient in clinical remission. The methods comprise administering to the patient an effective amount of a vaccine composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, an adjuvant such as recombinant human GM-CSF, and the E75 peptide at an optimized dose and schedule. The methods further comprise administering an annual or semi-annual booster vaccine dose due to declining E75-specific T cell immunity. The invention also features vaccine compositions for use in the methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of preventing or reducing the risk of recurrence of endometrial and ovarian cancers which express low levels of folate binding protein (FBP) by administration of a vaccine containing an E39 peptide.

Abstract: Provided are methods for inducing and maintaining protective immunity against a tumor expressing FR? in a subject, comprising the administration of one or more peptide vaccines according to a particular dosages or particular dosage regimens.

Abstract: The invention features methods to induce and maintain a protective cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response to a peptide of the HER2/neu oncogene, E75, with the effect of inducing and maintaining protective or therapeutic immunity against breast cancer in a patient in clinical remission. The methods comprise administering to the patient an effective amount of a vaccine composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, an adjuvant such as recombinant human GM-CSF, and the E75 peptide at an optimized dose and schedule. The methods further comprise administering an annual or semi-annual booster vaccine dose due to declining E75-specific T cell immunity. The invention also features vaccine compositions for use in the methods.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the creation of peptide antigens comprising epitopes with at least a first modification comprising a shortened or lengthened amino acid side chain. By extension or shortening of the side chain with CH3/CH2 groups, for example, made by computer assisted modeling of the tumor antigen (peptide) bound in the MHC-I-groove, immunogenicity can be improved with minimal modification of adjacent tertiary structure, thereby avoiding cross-reactivity. Provided by the invention are methods of creating such antigens, as well as methods for therapeutic or prophylactic treatment of various conditions comprising administration of the antigens.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for treating triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in an individual, and/or for inducing an immune response to HER2/neu in an individual with a triple-negative breast cancer expressing low levels of HER2/neu, the method comprising administering to the individual: (a) an effective amount of trastuzumab, or derivative thereof; and (b) an effective amount of nelipepimut-S, or variant thereof, optionally with an immunological adjuvant. Preferably, the method includes a preparatory or priming phase comprising a frequency and duration of trastuzumab or trastuzumab derivative administration sufficient to substantially increase the major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-mediated presentation of HER2 peptide fragments to the patient immune system. The invention also includes medicaments and kits for treating TNBC in an individual, and/or for inducing an immune response to HER2/neu in an individual with a TNBC expressing HER2/neu.

Abstract: Provided are methods for inducing and maintaining protective immunity against a tumor expressing FR? in a subject, comprising the administration of one or more peptide vaccines according to a particular dosages or particular dosage regimens.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the creation of peptide antigens comprising epitopes with at least a first modification comprising a shortened or lengthened amino acid side chain. By extension or shortening of the side chain with CH3/CH2 groups, for example, made by computer assisted modeling of the tumor antigen (peptide) bound in the MHC-I-groove, immunogenicity can be improved with minimal modification of adjacent tertiary structure, thereby avoiding cross-reactivity. Provided by the invention are methods of creating such antigens, as well as methods for therapeutic or prophylactic treatment of various conditions comprising administration of the antigens.

Abstract: The invention features methods to induce and maintain a protective cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response to a peptide of the HER2/neu oncogene, E75, with the effect of inducing and maintaining protective or therapeutic immunity against breast cancer in a patient in clinical remission. The methods comprise administering to the patient an effective amount of a vaccine composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, an adjuvant such as recombinant human GM-CSF, and the E75 peptide at an optimized dose and schedule. The methods further comprise administering an annual or semi-annual booster vaccine dose due to declining E75-specific T cell immunity. The invention also features vaccine compositions for use in the methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of preventing or reducing the risk of recurrence of endometrial and ovarian cancers which express low levels of folate binding protein (FBP) by administration of a vaccine containing an E39 peptide.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to variants of antigens comprising folate binding protein epitopes as a composition associated with providing immunity against a tumor in an individual. The variant is effective in inducing cytotoxic T-lymphocytes but preferably not to the extent that they become sensitive to silencing by elimination, such as by apoptosis, or by anergy, as in unresponsiveness.

Abstract: Provided are methods for inducing and maintaining protective immunity against a tumor expressing FR? in a subject, comprising the administration of one or more peptide vaccines according to a particular dosages or particular dosage regimens.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to identifying peptide sequences involved in antibody binding to any protein for synthesis of vaccine treatments. This novel method allows for a more manageable vaccine peptide discovery and specific generation of unique immunogenic peptides from self-tumor associated proteins and/or foreign proteins from infectious organisms for specific and/or enhanced expression only in the presence of the antibody.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to variants of antigens comprising folate binding protein epitopes as a composition associated with providing immunity against a tumor in an individual. The variant is effective in inducing cytotoxic T-lymphocytes but preferably not to the extent that they become sensitive to silencing by elimination, such as by apoptosis, or by anergy, as in unresponsiveness.

Abstract: Provided are methods for inducing and maintaining protective immunity against a tumor expressing FR? in a subject, comprising the administration of one or more peptide vaccines according to a particular dosages or particular dosage regimens.

Abstract: The human HLA-A2:1g dimer molecule is a recombinant protein comprising a mouse IgG antibody fused with two human MHC Class I HLA-A2 molecules. Any peptide (usually 8-10 amino acids in length) can be loaded into the peptide-binding groove of the two HLA molecules, for example, by incubating a mixture of the dimer and peptide solution overnight. The resulting N peptide-specific HLA-A2:1g dimer mixture can then be added to PBMCs from peripheral blood samples in order to detect CD8 T lymphocytes which express T cell receptors that are capable of specifically interacting with and binding to the peptide HLA-A2:1g dimer molecules. The presence of such specific binding activity and interactions can then be detected by additional staining with fluorescence-conjugated antibodies.

Abstract: The invention features methods to induce and maintain a protective cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response to a peptide of the HER2/neu oncogene, E75, with the effect of inducing and maintaining protective or therapeutic immunity against breast cancer in a patient in clinical remission. The methods comprise administering to the patient an effective amount of a vaccine composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, an adjuvant such as recombinant human GM-CSF, and the E75 peptide at an optimized dose and schedule. The methods further comprise administering an annual or semi-annual booster vaccine dose due to declining E75-specific T cell immunity. The invention also features vaccine compositions for use in the methods.