Abstract: Novel MUC-1 epitopes outside the VNTR region are identified. In addition, the first agonist epitope of MUC-1 is described. The employment of agonist epitopes in peptide, protein and vector-based vaccine may well aid in the development of effective vaccines for a range of human cancers.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards mouse-human chimeric variants of CC49 monoclonal antibodies with minimal murine content. A first aspect of the invention provides CDR variants of humanized monoclonal antibody (HuCC49) in which less than all six (three heavy chain and three light chain) Complementarity Determining Regions (CDRs) of CC49 are present. A second aspect of the invention provides SDR variants of humanized monoclonal antibody (HuCC49) in which only Specificity Determining Regions (SDRs) of at least one CDR from CC49 are present. The invention is also directed towards biotechnological methods of making the variants and therapeutic methods of using the variants.

Abstract: Novel MUC-1 epitopes outside the VNTR region are identified. In addition, the first agonist epitope of MUC-1 is described. The employment of agonist epitopes in peptide, protein and vector-based vaccine may well aid in the development of effective vaccines for a range of human cancers.

Abstract: The PAGE4 gene is expressed in reproductive tissues, and is expressed in reproductive cancers, such as prostate cancer, uterine cancer, and testicular cancer. Immunogenic PAGE4 polypeptides are disclosed herein, as are nucleic acids encoding the immunogenic PAGE4 polypeptides, vectors including these polynucleotides, and host cells transformed with these vectors. These polypeptides, polynucleotides, vectors, and host cells can be used to induce an immune response to PAGE4. Diagnostic methods to detect PAGE4 are also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides humanized CC49 monoclonal antibodies that bind TAG-72 with high binding affinity and that are minimally immunogenic. In one embodiment, a humanized CC49 antibody includes a non-conservative amino acid substitution in a light chain complementarity determining region 3 of the CC49 antibody. In a further embodiment, the humanized CC49 antibody includes a non-conservative substitution of a first residue in a light chain complementarity determining region 3 and a substitution of a second residue in a complementarity determining region of the humanized CC49 antibody. In several of the embodiments, methods are disclosed for the use of a humanized CC49 antibody.

Abstract: The invention provides a prostate specific antigen oligo-epitope peptide (PSA-OP) that is useful as an immunogen in the prevention or treatment of prostatic cancer and in the inhibition of prostatic cancer cells and in the establishment and characterization of PSA-specific cytotoxic T-cell lines. In particular, the invention provides methods for eliciting an immune response against PSA comprising administering (i) a priming inoculation of a first recombinant virus encoding PSA-OP and (ii) one or more boosting inoculations of a second recombinant virus encoding PSA-OP, wherein the first and second recombinant viruses are from a different genus.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides humanized CC49 monoclonal antibodies that bind TAG-72 with high binding affinity and that are minimally immunogenic. In one embodiment, a humanized CC49 antibody includes a non-conservative amino acid substitution in a light chain complementarity determining region 3 of the CC49 antibody. In a further embodiment, the humanized CC49 antibody includes a non-conservative substitution of a first residue in a light chain complementarity determining region 3 and a substitution of a second residue in a complementarity determining region of the humanized CC49 antibody. In several of the embodiments, methods are disclosed for the use of a humanized CC49 antibody in the detection or treatment of a tumor in a subject. Also disclosed is a kit including the humanized CC49 antibody described herein.

Abstract: Humanized anti-TAG-72 CC49 monoclonal antibodies are disclosed herein. The antibodies include a light chain Complementarity Determining Region (L-CDR)1, a L-CDR2, and a L-CDR3; and a heavy chain Complementarity Determining Region (H-CDR)1, a H-CDR2, and a H-CDR3 from humanized antibody HuCC49V10. The L-CDR1, L-CDR2, L-CDR3 are within a HuCC49V10 light chain framework region that includes the corresponding amino acid from LEN at position 5, 19, 21, and 106 in the light chain. The H-CDR1, H-CDR2, and H-CDR3 are within a heavy chain HuCC49V10 framework comprising a human 21/28? CL residue at positions 20, 38, 48, 66, 67, 69, and 80 in the heavy chain. These humanized CC49 antibodies retain binding affinity for TAG-72 and have reduced immunogenicity, as compared to a parental HuCC49V10 antibody. Methods are disclosed herein for using these antibodies in the treatment or diagnosis of a tumor, such as a carcinoma, expressing TAG-72.

Abstract: The PAGE4 gene is expressed in reproductive tissues, and is expressed in reproductive cancers, such as prostate cancer, uterine cancer, and testicular cancer. Immunogenic PAGE4 polypeptides are disclosed herein, as are nucleic acids encoding the immunogenic PAGE4 polypeptides, vectors including these polynucleotides, and host cells transformed with these vectors. These polypeptides, polynucleotides, vectors, and host cells can be used to induce an immune response to PAGE4. Diagnostic methods to detect PAGE4 are also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides humanized COL-1 monoclonal antibodies that retain CEA binding affinity, compared to a parent antibody. Also disclosed herein are humanized COL-1 monoclonal antibodies that have reduced immunogenicity, compared to a parent antibody. The disclosed humanized COL-1 antibodies include substitution of framework residues with residues from the corresponding positions of a homologous human sequence. In several embodiments, methods are disclosed for the use of a humanized COL-1 antibody in the detection or treatment of a CEA-expressing tumor or cell in a subject. Also disclosed is a kit including the humanized COL-1 antibodies described herein.

Abstract: The invention provides a prostate specific antigen oligo-epitope peptide (PSA-OP) that is useful as an immunogen in the prevention or treatment of prostatic cancer and in the inhibition of prostatic cancer cells and in the establishment and characterization of PSA-specific cytotoxic T-cell lines. In particular, the invention provides methods for eliciting an immune response against PSA comprising administering (i) a priming inoculation of a first recombinant virus encoding PSA-OP and (ii) one or more boosting inoculations of a second recombinant virus encoding PSA-OP, wherein the first and second recombinant viruses are from a different genus.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides humanized COL-1 monoclonal antibodies that retain CEA binding affinity, compared to a parent antibody. Also disclosed herein are humanized COL-1 monoclonal antibodies that have reduced immunogenicity, compared to a parent antibody. The disclosed humanized COL-1 antibodies include substitution of framework residues with residues from the corresponding positions of a homologous human sequence. In several embodiments, methods are disclosed for the use of a humanized COL-1 antibody in the detection or treatment of a CEA-expressing tumor or cell in a subject. Also disclosed is a kit including the humanized COL-1 antibodies described herein.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards mouse-human chimeric variants of CC49 monoclonal antibodies with minimal murine content. A first aspect of the invention provides CDR variants of humanized monoclonal antibody (HuCC49) in which less than all six (three heavy chain and three light chain) Complementarity Determining Regions (CDRs) of CC49 are present. A second aspect of the invention provides SDR variants of humanized monoclonal antibody (HuCC49) in which only Specificity Determining Regions (SDRs) of at least one CDR from CC49 are present. The invention is also directed towards biotechnological methods of making the variants and therapeutic methods of using the variants.

Abstract: The invention provides a peptide comprising an agonist of a MHC Class I binding native sequence having amino acid substitution(s) and enhanced immunogenicity compared to the native sequence. The invention also provides methods comprising the administration of the peptide.

Abstract: The present invention is a recombinant vector encoding and expressing at least three or more costimulatory molecules. The recombinant vector may additionally contain a gene encoding one or more target antigens or immunological epitope thereof. The synergistic effect of these costimulatory molecules on the enhanced activation of T cells is demonstrated. The degree of T-cell activation using recombinant vectors containing genes encoding three costimulatory molecules was far greater than the sum of recombinant vector constructs containing one costimulatory molecule and greater than the use of two costimulatory molecules. Results employing the triple costimulatory vectors were most dramatic under conditions of either low levels of first signal or low stimulator to T-cell ratios. This phenomenon was observed with both isolated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards mouse-human chimeric variants of CC49 monoclonal antibodies with minimal murine content. A first aspect of the invention provides CDR variants of humanized monoclonal antibody (HuCC49) in which less than all six (three heavy chain and three light chain) Complementarity Determining Regions (CDRs) of CC49 are present. A second aspect of the invention provides SDR variants of humanized monoclonal antibody (HuCC49) in which only Specificity Determining Regions (SDRs) of at least one CDR from CC49 are present. The invention is also directed towards biotechnological methods of making the variants and therapeutic methods of using the variants.

Abstract: The present invention features methods and compositions related to chitosan antigen depots, and chitosan cytokine depots, and the use of depot compositions in treating and preventing diseases.

Abstract: A nucleic acid molecule encoding an amino acid sequence consisting of an agonist of a MHC class I binding native sequence of CEA having an amino acid substitution and enhanced immunogenicity compared to the native sequence is described. A vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule, host cell comprising the vector and a kit comprising the encoded agonist peptide are also described.

Abstract: Mutant ras oncogene peptides may induce specific anti-ras cellular immune responses in vaccinated patients. Moreover, a human CD8+ CTL epitope(s) reflecting a specific point mutation in the K-ras oncogene at codon 12 was identified. The mutant ras peptide has implications for both active and passive immunotherapies in selected carcinoma patients. A nested 10-mer peptide was identified [i.e., ras5-14(Asp12)], which was shown to bind to HLA-A2 and display specific functional capacity for expansion of the in-vivo-primed CD8+ CTL precursors.

Abstract: Mutant ras oncogene peptides may induce specific anti-ras cellular immune responses in vaccinated patients. Moreover, a human CD8+ CTL epitope(s) reflecting a specific point mutation in the K-ras oncogene at codon 12 was identified. The mutant ras peptide has implications for both active and passive immunotherapies in selected carcinoma patients. A nested 10-mer peptide was identified [i.e., ras5-14(Asp12)], which was shown to bind to HLA-A2 and display specific functional capacity for expansion of the in vivo-primed CD8+ CTL precursors.