Abstract: Only limited success has been previously achieved from cancer vaccines targeting unmodified tumor-associated self-antigens and new compositions and methods are needed. Immunogenic compositions and methods of use thereof are provided according to the present disclosure which include a protein effective to stimulate immune activity against a tumor-associated self-antigen, or a variant thereof which is a tumor-associated self-antigen.

Abstract: Antigenic polypeptides of the growth factor receptor HER2, for breaking the tolerance of a host against self HER2. The antigenic polypeptides include HER2 polypeptides with single amino acid substitutions of lysine for glutamine, arginine for glutamine, or aspartic acid for asparagine. Gene expression constructs, vaccine compositions, and immunization methods including the substituted HER2 polypeptides. Methods for immunizing mammalian subjects with heterologous unsubstituted HER2 antigenic polypeptides, including polypeptides of feline and bear HER2. A diagnostic method of determining whether a mammalian subject is sufficiently immunocompetent to respond to immunotherapies directed at breaking tolerance to self HER2.

Abstract: Antigenic polypeptides of the growth factor receptor HER2, for breaking the tolerance of a host against self HER2. The antigenic polypeptides include HER2 polypeptides with single amino acid substitutions of lysine for glutamine, arginine for glutamine, or aspartic acid for asparagine. Gene expression constructs, vaccine compositions, and immunization methods including the substituted HER2 polypeptides. Methods for immunizing mammalian subjects with heterologous unsubstituted HER2 antigenic polypeptides, including polypeptides of feline and bear HER2. A diagnostic method of determining whether a mammalian subject is sufficiently immunocompetent to respond to immunotherapies directed at breaking tolerance to self HER2.

Abstract: Antigenic polypeptides of the growth factor receptor HER2, for breaking the tolerance of a host against self HER2. The antigenic polypeptides include HER2 polypeptides with single amino acid substitutions of lysine for glutamine, arginine for glutamine, or aspartic acid for asparagine. Gene expression constructs, vaccine compositions, and immunization methods including the substituted HER2 polypeptides. Methods for immunizing mammalian subjects with heterologous unsubstituted HER2 antigenic polypeptides, including polypeptides of feline and bear HER2. A diagnostic method of determining whether a mammalian subject is sufficiently immunocompetent to respond to immunotherapies directed at breaking tolerance to self HER2.

Abstract: The invention provides therapeutics and methods to induce a mammalian host, including a human, to produce antibodies, which agonize death receptors and cause the apoptotic death of target cells within the host's body. The therapeutics are vaccine compositions, including genetic vaccines encoding death receptor antigens of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family. Also provided are means and methods for overcoming host immunological tolerance to death receptors. The vaccines are useful against cancer cells and other death receptor bearing target cells within the host, and can be used in both therapeutic and prophylactic settings. The vaccines are also useful for diagnostic testing of the immunocompetence of a host.

Abstract: The invention provides therapeutics and methods to induce a mammalian host, including a human, to produce antibodies, which agonize death receptors and cause the apoptotic death of target cells within the host's body. The therapeutics are vaccine compositions, including genetic vaccines encoding death receptor antigens of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family. Also provided are means and methods for overcoming host immunological tolerance to death receptors. The vaccines are useful against cancer cells and other death receptor bearing target cells within the host, and can be used in both therapeutic and prophylactic settings. The vaccines are also useful for diagnostic testing of the immunocompetence of a host.

Abstract: The invention provides therapeutics and methods to induce a mammalian host, including a human, to produce antibodies, which agonize death receptors and cause the apoptotic death of target cells within the host's body. The therapeutics are vaccine compositions, including genetic vaccines encoding death receptor antigens of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family. Also provided are means and methods for overcoming host immunological tolerance to death receptors. The vaccines are useful against cancer cells and other death receptor bearing target cells within the host, and can be used in both therapeutic and prophylactic settings. The vaccines are also useful for diagnostic testing of the immunocompetence of a host.