Abstract: T cell receptors that specifically recognize hAFP158 and methods of their use are provided.

Abstract: T cell receptors that specifically recognize hAFP158 and methods of their use are provided.

Abstract: The invention describes the development of more potent peptide vaccines to prevent or treat infections or cancer and their administration to a subject in order to elicit a T cell response in the subject. Small synthetic peptides from the known sequences of viral, bacterial, parasitic or tumor antigens are modified so they can spontaneously form complexes with a synthetic nucleic acid, such as Poly IC, that functions as an immunological adjuvant. The peptide-nucleic acid complexes are dramatically more immunogenic as compared to the separate components. The procedure for developing the vaccine involves the conjugation of a synthetic peptide containing a C residue to poly-K using a bi-functional cross-linking reagent (SMCC). The peptide/poly-K complex was then formulated with CMC and poly-IC to produce a self-adjuvant vaccine that was 36-fold more effective as compared to the same peptide administered mixed with the same adjuvant (but not complexed to it).

Abstract: T cell receptors that specifically recognize hAFP158 and methods of their use are provided.

Abstract: The invention describes the development of more potent peptide vaccines to prevent or treat infections or cancer and their administration to a subject in order to elicit a T cell response in the subject. Small synthetic peptides from the known sequences of viral, bacterial, parasitic or tumor antigens are modified so they can spontaneously form complexes with a synthetic nucleic acid, such as Poly IC, that functions as an immunological adjuvant. The peptide-nucleic acid complexes are dramatically more immunogenic as compared to the separate components. The procedure for developing the vaccine involves the conjugation of a synthetic peptide containing a C residue to poly-K using a bi-functional cross-linking reagent (SMCC). The peptide/poly-K complex was then formulated with CMC and poly-IC to produce a self-adjuvant vaccine that was 36-fold more effective as compared to the same peptide administered mixed with the same adjuvant (but not complexed to it).

Abstract: The invention describes the development of more potent peptide vaccines to prevent or treat infections or cancer. Small synthetic peptides from the known sequences of viral, bacterial, parasitic or tumor antigens are modified so they can spontaneously form complexes with a synthetic nucleic acid, such as Poly IC, that functions as an immunological adjuvant. The peptide-nucleic acid complexes are dramatically more immunogenic as compared to the separate components. The procedure for developing the vaccine involves the conjugation of a synthetic peptide containing a C residue to poly-K using a bi-functional cross-linking reagent (SMCC). The peptide/poly-K complex was then formulated with CMC and poly-IC to produce a self-adjuvant vaccine that was 36-fold more effective as compared to the same peptide administered mixed with the same adjuvant (but not complexed to it).

Abstract: This invention uses our knowledge of the mechanisms by which antigen is recognized by T cells to identify and prepare Plasmodium falciparum epitopes, and to develop epitope-based vaccines directed towards malaria. More specifically, this application communicates our discovery of pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use in the prevention and treatment of malaria. In particular, this application discloses isolated peptides comprising oligopeptides, for example the oligopeptides LLACAGLAY, FLIFFDLFLV, FMKAVCVEV, VLAGLLGNV, GLIMVLSFL, KILSVFFLA, GLLGNVSTV, VLLGGVGLVL, ILSVSSFLFV, QTNFKSLLR, LACAGLAYK, ALFFIIFNK, LLACAGLAYK, HVLSHNSYEK, FILVNLLIFH, FQDEENIGIY, PSDGKCNLY, YYIPHQSSL, FYFILVNLL, KYLVIVFLI and KYKLATSVL, or isolated peptides conjugated with T helper peptides that are used as antigens in epitope-based vaccines to prevent and/or treat malaria.

Abstract: The present invention provides the means and methods for selecting immunogenic peptides and the immunogenic peptide compositions capable of specifically binding glycoproteins encoded by HLA alleles and inducing T cell activation in T cells restricted by the allele. One such peptide, NMLSTVLGV (SEQ ID NO: 183) is useful to elicit an immune response against influenza. The present invention also provides a heteropolymer of an isolated immunogenic peptide less than 15 amino acids in length comprising the oligopeptide NMLSTVLGV (SEQ ID NO: 183) and at least one different peptide.

Abstract: This invention uses our knowledge of the mechanisms by which antigen is recognized by T cells to identify and prepare Plasmodium falciparum epitopes, and to develop epitope-based vaccines directed towards malaria. More specifically, this application communicates our discovery of pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use in the prevention and treatment of malaria. In particular, this application discloses isolated peptides comprising oligopeptides, for example the oligopeptide GVSENIFLK, or isolated peptides conjugated with T helper peptides that are used as antigens in epitope-based vaccines to prevent and/or treat malaria.

Abstract: The invention provides an immunogenic or antigenic polypeptide containing a translocation domain, a peptide epitope, at least one biologically active agent, and cleavage sites. These polypeptides are useful for activating T cell responses.

Abstract: A composition or vaccine composition comprising at least one peptide that has less than 600 contiguous amino acids having 100% identity to a native sequence of CEA, HER2/neu, MAGE2, MAGE3, or p53, the peptide further comprising at least one epitope selected from Table 6.

Abstract: The invention describes the development of more potent peptide vaccines to prevent or treat infections or cancer. Small synthetic peptides from the known sequences of viral, bacterial, parasitic or tumor antigens are modified so they can spontaneously form complexes with a synthetic nucleic acid, such as Poly IC, that functions as an immunological adjuvant. The peptide-nucleic acid complexes are dramatically more immunogenic as compared to the separate components. The procedure for developing the vaccine involves the conjugation of a synthetic peptide containing a C residue to poly-K using a bi-functional cross-linking reagent (SMCC). The peptide/poly-K complex was then formulated with CMC and poly-IC to produce a self-adjuvant vaccine that was 36-fold more effective as compared to the same peptide administered mixed with the same adjuvant (but not complexed to it).

Abstract: This invention uses our knowledge of the mechanisms by which antigen is recognized by T cells to identify and prepare human papillomavirus (HPV) epitopes, and to develop epitope-based vaccines directed towards HPV. More specifically, this application communicates our discovery of pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use in the prevention and treatment of HPV infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Trojan antigens, and immunogenic compositions comprising the Trojan antigens. The present invention also relates to methods of generating an immune response in a subject using the Trojan antigens or immunogenic compositions. The present invention further relates to methods of treating squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) using the Trojan antigens and immunogenic compositions of the present invention.

Abstract: A composition or vaccine composition comprising at least one peptide that has less than 600 contiguous amino acids having 100% identity to a native sequence of CEA, HER2/neu, MAGE2, MAGE3, or p53, the peptide further comprising at least one epitope selected from Table 6.

Abstract: This invention uses our knowledge of the mechanisms by which antigen is recognized by T cells to develop epitope-based vaccines directed towards HBV. More specifically, this application communicates our discovery of pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use in the prevention and treatment of HBV infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Trojan antigens, and immunogenic compositions comprising the Trojan antigens. The present invention also relates to methods of generating an immune response in a subject using the Trojan antigens or immunogenic compositions. The present invention further relates to methods of treating squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) using the Trojan antigens and immunogenic compositions of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention provides an immunogenic or antigenic polypeptide containing a translocation domain, a peptide epitope, at least one biologically active agent, and cleavage sites. These polypeptides are useful for activating T cell responses.

Abstract: The invention provides an immunogenic or antigenic polypeptide containing a translocation domain, a peptide epitope, at least one biologically active agent, and cleavage sites. These polypeptides are useful for activating T cell responses.

Abstract: Methods and materials for inducing anti-tumor responses in melanoma patients are disclosed. These methods and materials involve gp100-derived polypeptides that contain both a helper T-cell epitope and a cytotoxic T-cell epitope.