Abstract: The present invention relates to inhibitors of the KDEL receptor and therapeutic uses therefor. Certain proteins are functionally retained in the cellular endoplasmic reticulum via an interaction between a KDEL sequence and its receptor. According to the invention, blocking this interaction with a KDEL receptor inhibitor promotes the secretion of such proteins. In specific embodiments of the invention, KDEL receptor inhibitors may be used to promote the secretion of heat shock proteins, thereby rendering the secreted heat shock proteins more accessible to the immune system and improving the immune response to heat shock protein-associated antigens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to immunotherapeutic compositions comprising an effective amount of a molecular chaperone such as a heat shock protein, preferably hsp70, non-covalently bound to one or more javelinized melanoma antigens and to methods of using the immunotherapeutic compositions to induce an immune response against melanoma in a subject. The immunotherapeutic composition may contain one or more heat shock proteins, such as one or more of hsp70, hsp90, gp96, BiP, and hsp40, and may contain one or more javelinized melanoma antigens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of non-pathogenic multi-cmponent viral particles in vaccines whcih utilize heat shock proteins to enhance the anti-viral immune response. The multi-component viral particles are covalently conjugated to one or more species of “javelin”, where javelins are molecules which form non-covalent associatiosn with heat shock proteins. In view of the role of heat shock proteins in the recognition, by the immune system, of antigens, the addition of a javelin “tether” to a multi-component viral particle facilitates complex formation between the particle and a heat shock protein and hence promotes development of an immune reaction to the particle, without requiring the identification of specific epitopes.