Abstract: A method for preventing or for treating cancer in a mammal, where the cancer cells express at least a part of an alpha fetoprotein molecule at the cell surface. The method comprises creating an immune response in the mammal to at least part of the amino acid sequence of an alpha fetoprotein molecule, where the immune response comprises activating alpha fetoprotein peptide specific T lymphocytes against the cancer cells, and where the part of the alpha fetoprotein molecule is selected from the group consisting of residues 137–145 of SEQ ID NO:2, and residues 325–334 of SEQ ID NO:2 and a combination of the preceeding.

Abstract: A method for preventing or for treating cancer in a mammal, where the cancer cells express at least a part of an alpha fetoprotein molecule at the cell surface. The method comprises creating an immune response in the mammal to at least part of the amino acid sequence of an alpha fetoprotein molecule, where the immune response comprises activating alpha fetoprotein peptide specific T lymphocytes against the cancer cells, and where the part of the alpha fetoprotein molecule is selected from the group consisting of residues 137-145 of SEQ ID NO:2, and residues 325-334 of SEQ ID NO:2 and a combination of the preceeding.

Abstract: A method for preventing or for treating cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma, in a mammal where the cancer bears at least a portion of the alphafetoprotein molecule on its surface by creating an immune response in the mammal to at least part of the alphafetoprotein molecule. Also, a composition for creating an immune response in the mammal to at least part of the alphafetoprotein molecule, for use in preventing or for treating cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma, the composition comprising at least a portion of the alphafetoprotein molecule, or comprising at least a portion of the alphafetoprotein molecule where one or more amino acids have been substituted for the native amino acids to enhance the immune response.