Abstract: Cancer vaccines were demonstrated to be promising strategies for cancer treatment; however these strategies are limited by the paucity of target antigens that provoke an effective immune response. The Inventors of the present patent application propose that sperm fibrous sheet proteins constitute a new class of potential antigens for use in the development of effective, durable cancer vaccines. This hypothesis is supported by the expression of the sperm fibrous sheath protein, known as Sperm protein 17 (Sp17), which is detected in tumors of unrelated histological origin. It has the ability to induce T-cell based immune responses. The expression of the Sperm protein 17 (Sp17) in tumors of unrelated histological origin, and its' natural localization in the human sperm fibrous sheath (FS), led the Inventors to hypothesize that FS proteins might represent a new potential class of target antigens useful for developing cancer vaccines, as well as diagnostic and therapeutic treatments.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a method for determining if a patient is likely to, or not likely to, experience ovarian cancer utilizing SP17 as a biomarker. It also provides methods and therapies to treat patients identified as at risk for ovarian cancer or alternatively, as identified as having a poorer prognosis.

Abstract: Cancer vaccines were demonstrated to be promising strategies for cancer treatment but the strategies are limited by the paucity of target antigens that provoke an effective immune response. We propose that sperm fibrous sheet proteins constitute a new class of potential antigens for cancer vaccines. This hypothesis is supported by the expression of the sperm fibrous sheath protein known as Sperm protein 17 detected in tumors of unrelated histological origin. It has the ability to induce T-cell based immune responses. The expression of the Sperm protein 17 (Sp17) in tumors of unrelated histological origin, and its natural localization in the human sperm fibrous sheath (FS), led us to hypothesize that FS proteins might represent a new potential class of target antigens useful for developing cancer vaccines and diagnostic and therapeutic treatments.