Abstract: Pharmaceutical composition containing at least one peptide or protein (fragment) with an immunomodulatory activity together with an adjuvant. The peptide is derived from a pathogenic agent or a tumour antigen. The adjuvant is capable of increasing the binding of the peptide to the cells of the individual to be treated or of increasing the entry of the peptide into the cells and strengthening the immunomodulatory activity of the peptide. Preferred adjuvants are basic polyamino acids such as polyarginine or polylysine, optionally conjugated with a cellular ligand such as a carbohydrate group or transferrin. The composition is particularly intended for use as a vaccine, e.g. as a tumour vaccine.

Abstract: Described is a method for isolating ligands which have a binding capacity to a MHC/HLA molecule or a complex comprising said ligand and said MHC/HLA molecule which method comprises the following steps:—providing a pool of ligands, said pool containing ligands which bind to said MHC/HLA molecule and ligands which do not bind to said MHC/HLA molecule,—contacting said MHC/HLA molecule with said pool of ligands whereby a ligand which has a binding capacity to said MHC/HLA molecule binds to said MHC/HLA molecule and a complex comprising said ligand and said MHC/HLA molecule is formed,—detecting and optionally separating said complex from the ligands which do not bind to said MHC/HLA molecule and—optionally isolating and characterising the ligand from said complex as well as a method for isolating T cell epitopes which have a binding capacity to a MHC/HLA molecule.

Abstract: A vaccine containing one or more synthetic or highly purified natural peptides or proteins as antigen(s) as well as one or more adjuvants is present in the form of a solution or emulsion which is free from inorganic salt ions or has a low concentration of salt ions. Preferably, it contains substances capable of making the vaccine isotonic, particularly sorbitol.

Abstract: The invention disclose a pharmaceutical composition comprising an antigen, an immunogenic CpG-ODN and a polycationic polymer.

Abstract: Tumor vaccine and process for the preparation thereof. The tumor vaccine contains tumor cells at least some of which contain at least one MHC-I-haplotype of the patient on the cell surface, and which are charged with one or more peptides binding to the MHC-I molecule in such a way that the tumor cells are recognized as foreign by the patient's immune system in context with the peptides and trigger a cellular immune response. The charging is carried out in the presence of a polycation such as polylysine.