Abstract: Tolerance of the immune system for endogenous TRP2 can be overcome and an immune response stimulated by administration of xenogeneic or xenoexpressed TRP2 antigen. For example, mouse TRP2, or antigenically-effective portions thereof, can be used to stimulate an immune response to the corresponding differentiation antigen in a human subject. Administration of xenogeneic antigens in accordance with the invention results in an effective immunity against TRP2 expressed by the cancer in the treated individual, thus providing a therapeutic approach to the treatment of cancers expressing TRP2, such as melanoma.

Abstract: Tolerance of the immune system for endogenous PSMA can be overcome and an immune response stimulated by administration of xenogeneic or xenoexpressed PSMA antigen. For example, mouse PSMA, or antigenically-effective portions thereof, can be used to stimulate an immune response to the corresponding differentiation antigen in a human subject. Administration of xenogeneic antigens in accordance with the invention results in an effective immunity against PSMA expressed by the cancer in the treated individual, thus providing a therapeutic approach to the treatment of cancers expressing PSMA, such as prostate cancer.

Abstract: Tolerance of the immune system for endogenous gp100 can be overcome and an immune response stimulated by administration of xenogeneic or xenoexpressed gp100 antigen. For example, mouse gp100, or antigenically-effective portions thereof, can be used to stimulate an immune response to the corresponding differentiation antigen in a human subject. Administration of xenogeneic antigens in accordance with the invention results in an effective immunity against gp100 expressed by the cancer in the treated individual, thus providing a therapeutic approach to the treatment of cancers expressing gp100, such as melanoma.

Abstract: Melanoma can be treated in a mammalian subject by administering to the subject an immunologically-effective amount of a xenogeneic melanoma-associated differentiation antigen. For example, genetic immunization with a plasmid containing a sequence encoding human gp75 has been shown to be effective in treatment of dogs with melanoma.

Abstract: The present invention provides an anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibody which specifically induces an immune response against a glycosphingolipid. Additionally, this invention provides a method of producing the anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibody. Finally, this invention provides a composition of matter comprising an effective amount of a cytokine and a melanoma ganglio-side-specific antibody attached to a carrier.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying mutant antigens with enhanced immunogenicity that does not depend on any a priori knowledge of the structure of the native antigen. Antigens identified in this way may be used to induce an immune response to a target antigen in a subject comprising administering to the subject a vaccine composition comprising the mutant antigen corresponding to the target antigen in an amount sufficient to induce an immune response to the target antigen. The target antigen may be a self-antigen.

Abstract: Therapeutic libraries of minigenes encoding at least one characteristic epitope of a target antigen and degenerate variants of major histocompatability class I restricted epitopes are prepared by constructing a population of minigenes of comparable structure (that is having parallel components at each location in the minigene), each species in the population encoding at least one characteristic epitope of the target antigen and one of a plurality a degenerate variants of an MHC Class I-restricted epitope; screening the population of minigenes in an in vitro or in vivo system to confirm the induction of immunological response against the target antigen; and optionally repeating a screening step on one or more subpopulations of the minigenes to select for immunologically-effective subpopulations, which may comprise as few as a single species of the minigene construct.

Abstract: The present invention provides an anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibody which specifically induces an immune response against a glycosphingolipid. Additionally, this invention provides a method of producing the anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibody. Finally, this invention provides a composition of matter comprising an effective amount of a cytokine and a melanoma ganglioside-specific antibody attached to a carrier.

Abstract: Tolerance of the immune system for self differentiation antigens can be overcome and an immune response stimulated by administration of a therapeutic differentiation antigen. The therapeutic differentiation antigen is altered with respect to the target differentiation antigen in the individual being treated (i.e., the differentiation antigen to which an immune response is desired) in one of three ways. First, the therapeutic differentiation antigen may be syngeneic with the target differentiation antigen, provided that therapeutic differentiation antigen is expressed in cells of a species different from the individual being treated. For example, a human differentiation antigen expressed in insect or other non-human host cells can be used to stimulate an immune response to the differentiation antigen in a human subject. Second, the therapeutic differentiation antigen may be a mutant form of a syngeneic differentiation antigen, for example a glycosylation mutant.

Abstract: Tolerance of the immune system for self differentiation antigens can be overcome and an immune response stimulated by administration of a therapeutic differentiation antigen. The therapeutic differentiation antigen is altered with respect to the target differentiation antigen in the individual being treated (i.e., the differentiation antigen to which an immune response is desired) in one of three ways. First, the therapeutic differentiation antigen may be syngeneic with the target differentiation antigen, provided that therapeutic differentiation antigen is expressed in cells of a species different from the individual being treated. For example, a human differentiation antigen expressed in insect or other non-human host cells can be used to stimulate an immune response to the differentiation antigen in a human subject. Second, the therapeutic differentiation antigen may be a mutant form of a syngeneic differentiation antigen, for example a glycosylation mutant.

Abstract: Melanoma can be treated in a mammalian subject by administering to the subject an immunologically-effective amount of a xenogeneic melanoma-associated differentiation antigen. For example, genetic immunization with a plasmid containing a sequence encoding human gp75 has been shown to be effective in treatment of dogs with melanoma.

Abstract: The present invention provides an anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibody which specifically induces an immune response against a glycosphingolipid. Additionally, this invention provides a method of producing the anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibody. Finally, this invention provides a composition of matter comprising an effective amount of a cytokine and a melanoma ganglioside-specific antibody attached to a carrier.

Abstract: Tolerance of the immune system for self differentiation antigens can be overcome and an immune response stimulated by administration of a therapeutic differentiation antigen. The therapeutic differentiation antigen is altered with respect to the target differentiation antigen in the individual being treated (i.e., the differentiation antigen to which an immune response is desired) in one of three ways. First, the therapeutic differentiation antigen may be syngeneic with the target differentiation antigen, provided that therapeutic differentiation antigen is expressed in cells of a species different from the individual being treated. For example, a human differentiation antigen expressed in insect or other non-human host cells can be used to stimulate an immune response to the differentiation antigen in a human subject. Second, the therapeutic differentiation antigen may be a mutant form of a syngeneic differentiation antigen, for example a glycosylation mutant.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule whose sequence encodes the amino acid sequence for gp75 or a fragment thereof. The present invention further provides an isolated cDNA molecule of the gp75 nucleic acid molecule or a fragment thereof and the amino acid sequence derived therefrom. This invention also provides vaccines for stimulating or enhancing in a subject to whom the vaccine is administered production of antibodies directed against gp75. This invention further provides methods using the vaccines of this invention for stimulating or enhancing production of antibodies against gp75 as well as for treating, preventing or delaying the recurrence of cancer.

Abstract: A vaccine for stimulating and enhancing in a subject to which the vaccine is administered, production of antibodies which recognize GD3 ganglioside, comprising an effective amount of anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibody, designated BEC2, an effective amount of the appropriate adjuvant and a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle.

Abstract: This invention provides a non-melanocytic eucaryotic cell constitutively expressing biologically active human tyrosinase. The present invention also provides methods of producing biologically active human tyrosinase. Additionally, the invention provides a non-melanocytic eucaryotic cell which constitutively expresses biologically active human tyrosinase which in turn catalyzes the production of melanin. The melanin so produced may then be recovered.

Abstract: The invention provides an anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibody, IgG2b subclass, which specifically induces an immune response against the GD.sub.3 ganglioside and specifically binds to the binding site of the R24 antibody.

Abstract: Cell surface gangliosides are presumed to play a role in cell growth and differentiation. Using monoclonal antibodies directed against G.sub.D3, a disialoganglioside expressed predominantly by cells of neuroectodermal origin, we have found that G.sub.D3 is expressed by a subpopulation of cells of the immune system including: a) fetal thymocytes in subcortical regions and near vessels, 2) lymph node lymphocytes in interfollicular areas and near vessels, and 3) a small subset of T cells in the peripheral blood. Mouse monoclonal antibodies (two IgGs, one IgM and F(ab').sub.2 fragments) reacting with G.sub.D3 were found to stimulate proliferation of T cells derived from peripheral blood. Proliferation induced by binding to G.sub.D3 could be augmented by exogenous IL-2, PMA, PHA or Protein A.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies were discovered which recognize differentiation antigens on melanocytes and melanoma cells at various stages of differentiation. A system of classification based on these antigens is proposed and their use in the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma is given.

Abstract: Human monoclonal antibodies (HmAbs) capable of reacting with cytokeratin are disclosed. It has been found that HmAbs De8, M54, M307, Hull, C29, Hu22 and Pa24 may be used to detect these cytoskeletal proteins in various cells. By means of these HmAbs the embryological origin of cells may be determined. This information may be used to determine the possible tissue source of metastasized tumors and greatly affects the management of these cancers.