Abstract: An isolated binding partner of a Cripto-1 protein, Pim-1 protein or an antigen present in a colon cancer cell lysate is described. The binding partner inhibits growth of one or more cancer cell types and may be used in an anti-cancer agent for treating cancer in a subject. The binding partner may also be used in a method of inducing apoptosis in a cancer cell, as well as in a method of sensitising a cancer cell to a cytotoxic compound. In addition, a cancer Vaccine is described wherein the vaccine comprises a Cripto-1 protein (or an antigenic fragment thereof), Pim-1 protein (or an antigenic fragment thereof) or an antigen present in a colon cancer cell lysate or, alternatively, comprises an expressible DNA molecule encoding a Cripto-1 protein (or an antigenic fragment thereof), Pim-1 protein (or an antigenic fragment thereof) or an antigen present in a colon cancer cell lysate.

Abstract: Peptide mimicks of MUC1 or other cancer peptides which can be included in cancer vaccines and used in therapeutic methods for the treatment of cancer patients.

Abstract: CD46 (membrane cofactor protein) is a family of human cell surface glycoprotein with cofactor activity for factor I mediated cleavage of complement components C3b and C4b. Disclosed are novel nucleic acid sequences arising from splice variants or derivatives thereof of the structural gene encoding the family of proteins. From these sequences recombinant derived proteins and antibodies thereto can be produced. The proteins can resemble native CD46 isoforms or comprise new permutations of exons within the structural gene. The nucleic acids, proteins and antibodies have utility as probes, diagnostic reagents and therapeutic agents.