Abstract: A process for carrying out an allergy test is based on a blood sample being taken. The blood sample is contacted in vitro with at least one allergen. At least one allergic reaction or the absence of the at least one allergic reaction is observed via a microscope (11) directly and/or optically. To make it possible to carry out an allergy test with a higher validity and/or better accuracy, a position of granules is observed via the microscope (11). The granules are observed in different planes or horizontal planes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-peptide-multiepitop-vaccine against cancerous diseases associated with HER-2/neu oncogene, i.e. the vaccine comprises a specific combination of peptides presenting different amino acids sequences as occur in the extracellular domain of HER-2/neu protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides of the extracellular domain of a HER-2/neu protein, conjugates comprising said peptides linked to an immunogenic carrier, compositions thereof, nucleic acid molecules, vectors and transformed or transfected host cells comprising said nucleic acid molecules encoding said peptides or conjugates, and methods for producing the disclosed peptides, conjugates and compositions. The present invention also relates to diagnostic methods of detecting cancerous conditions associated with HER-2/neu or monitoring the effectiveness of treatment against cancerous conditions associated with HER-2/neu. The present invention also relates to methods of eliciting or enhancing an immune response to HER-2/neu in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vaccine against cancerous diseases and antigen mimotopes associated with the high molecular weight melanoma associated antigen (HMW-MAA). The vaccines and antigen mimotopes are recognized immunologically by the monoclonal HMW-MAA antibody 225.28S and comprise at least one peptide with a length of 6 to 14 amino acids. The inventive vaccine permits active immunization against cancerous diseases associated with the high molecular weight melanoma associated antigen (HMW-MAA), whereby both prophylactic and therapeutic effects can be achieved. Further, the antigen mimotopes can serve to detect the immune response obtained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to reagents for diagnosis and/or therapy of latex allergy or fruit allergy and to a method for the preparation of the reagents.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a vaccine against cancerous disease, and the vaccine itself. This method involves first using one or more antibodies that are specifically effective against one or more antigens specially expressed by the tumor cells to select one or more mimotopes of said antigens from a phage peptide library. To obtain the vaccine, said mimotopes are conjugated to a macromolecular carrier singly or multiply in the form of their mono-, di-, tri- or oligomers. When administered, the inventively produced vaccine leads to a humoral immune response and thus to the formation of an active immunity as a consequence of vaccination.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vaccine against cancerous diseases and antigen mimotopes associated with the high molecular weight melanoma associated antigen (HMW-MAA). The vaccines and antigen mimotopes are recognized immunologically by the monoclonal HMW-MAA antibody 225.28S and comprise at least one peptide with a length of 6 to 14 amino acids. The inventive vaccine permits active immunization against cancerous diseases associated with the high molecular weight melanoma associated antigen (HMW-MAA), whereby both prophylactic and therapeutic effects can be achieved. Further, the antigen mimotopes can serve to detect the immune response obtained.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a vaccine against cancerous disease, and the vaccine itself. This method involves first using one or more antibodies that are specifically effective against one or more antigens specially expressed by the tumor cells to select one or more mimotopes of said antigens from a phage peptide library. To obtain the vaccine, said mimotopes are conjugated to a macromolecular carrier singly or multiply in the form of their mono-, di-, tri- or oligomers. When administered, the inventively produced vaccine leads to a humoral immune response and thus to the formation of an active immunity as a consequence of vaccination.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides of the extracellular domain of a HER-2/neu protein, conjugates comprising said peptides linked to an immunogenic carrier, compositions thereof, nucleic acid molecules, vectors and transformed or transfected host cells comprising said nucleic acid molecules encoding said peptides or conjugates, and methods for producing the disclosed peptides, conjugates and compositions. The present invention also relates to diagnostic methods of detecting cancerous conditions associated with HER-2/neu or monitoring the effectiveness of treatment against cancerous conditions associated with HER-2/neu. The present invention also relates to methods of eliciting or enhancing an immune response to HER-2/neu in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method by which expression cDNA clone banks are screened by means of IgE antibodies derived from the sera of allergic individuals, or by means of monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies. This type of screening is used for the detection of polynucleotides whose open-reading frames code for allergenically active proteins. These proteins are characterized in that their biological activity as allergens is equal to that of plant allergens occurring in nature.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method by which expression cDNA clone banks are screened by means of IgE antibodies derived from the sera of allergic individuals, or by means of monoclonal or polyconal antibodies. This type of screening is used for the detection of polynucleotides whose open-reading frames code for allergenically active proteins. These proteins are characterized in that their biological activity as allergens is equal to that of plant allergens occurring in nature.

Abstract: This invention provides recombinant DNA molecules which code for polypeptides that exhibit the antigenicity of an Aln g I allergen of alder, Alnus sp., of a Cor a I allergen of hazel or of a Bet v I allergen of birch and other plants of the order Fageles, and for polypeptides comprising at least one epitope thereof, as well as nucleic acids which under stringent conditions hybridize with such DNA sequences or are derivable from such sequences by degeneracy of the genetic code. In addition, methods are described for using the polypeptides coded by these DNA molecules and their use in the diagnosis or therapy of allergic diseases.