Abstract: The present invention provides a combination preparation for inducing a specific immune response to an antigenic peptide, which contains (I) the antigenic peptide, and (II) an expression vector encoding a chimeric hepatitis B virus core antigen polypeptide, into which the antigenic peptide has been inserted or added, wherein said antigenic peptide is inserted in a region of amino acid residues 74-87 or 130-138 of the hepatitis B virus core antigen polypeptide, or added to the N-terminal or C-terminal of the hepatitis B virus core antigen polypeptide, wherein the antigenic peptide of (I) and the expression vector of (II) are substantially simultaneously administered to a subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides a therapeutic or prophylactic agent for cancer, containing an expression vector encoding a chimeric Hepatitis B virus core antigen polypeptide inserted with an amino acid sequence containing a specific epitope of VEGF and/or a specific epitope of angiopoietin-2, wherein the amino acid sequence containing the specific epitope is inserted between the amino acid residues 80 and 81 of the hepatitis B virus core antigen polypeptide.

Abstract: Described herein is the discovery that HGFs activate the growth and migration of lymphatic endothelial cells and thereby promote lymphangiogenesis. The present invention is based on this finding, and provides lymphangiogenesis-promoting agents comprising as active ingredients HGFs, or proteins or compounds functionally equivalent thereto. Based on the finding described above, the present invention also provides methods for promoting lymphangiogenesis which comprise the step of locally administering HGFs or proteins functionally equivalent thereto to affected areas in patients with lymphedema.

Abstract: Disclosed is a double-stranded oligonucleotide decoy including two transcription factor-binding sites, while keeping its size small. The double-stranded oligonucleotide decoy showing binding affinities for two transcription factors includes a first binding site for a first transcription factor and a second binding site for a second transcription factor. A first strand including the sense strand of the first binding site and a second strand including the sense strand of the second binding site are hybridized to form a double strand in which the sense strand of the first binding site and the sense strand of the second binding site are at least partly hybridized.

Abstract: The present invention provides an agent for the treatment or prophylaxis of arteriosclerosis comprising an expression vector encoding a chimeric Hepatitis B virus core antigen polypeptide inserted with an amino acid sequence containing a specific epitope of apolipoprotein (a), wherein the amino acid sequence containing the specific epitope is inserted between the amino acid residues 80 and 81 of the hepatitis B virus core antigen polypeptide.