Abstract: Compositions that include isolated, functionally active, recombinantly produced class I HLA trimolecular complexes that include epitopes unique to breast cancer cells are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a methodology for the isolation, purification and identification of peptide ligands presented by MHC positive cells. In particular, the methodology of the present invention relates to the isolation, purification and identification of these peptide ligands from soluble class I and class II MHC molecules which may be from uninfected, infected, or tumorigenic cells. The methodology of the present invention broadly allows for these peptide ligands and their cognate source proteins thereof to be identified and used as markers for infected versus uninfected cells and/or tumorigenic versus nontumorigenic cells, with said identification being useful for marking or targeting a cell for therapeutic treatment or priming the immune response against infected/tumorigenic cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a methodology of producing antibodies that recognize peptides associated with a tumorigenic or disease state, wherein the peptides are displayed in the context of HLA molecules. These antibodies will mimic the specificity of a T cell receptor (TCR) but will have higher binding affinity such that the molecules may be used as therapeutic, diagnostic and research reagents. The method of producing a T-cell receptor mimic of the present invention includes identifying a peptide of interest, wherein the peptide of interest is capable of being presented by an MHC molecule. Then, an immunogen comprising at least one peptide/MHC complex is formed, wherein the peptide of the peptide/MHC complex is the peptide of interest.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a methodology for the isolation, purification and identification of peptide ligands presented by MHC positive cells. In particular, the methodology of the present invention relates to the isolation, purification and identification of these peptide ligands from soluble class I and class II MHC molecules which may be from uninfected, infected, or tumorigenic cells. The methodology of the present invention broadly allows for these peptide ligands and their cognate source proteins thereof to be identified and used as markers for infected versus uninfected cells and/or tumorigenic versus nontumorigenic cells, with said identification being useful for marking or targeting a cell for therapeutic treatment or priming the immune response against infected/tumorigenic cells.