IMMUNOGENIC COMPOSITIONS TO THE CCK-B/GASTRIN RECEPTOR AND METHODS FOR THE TREATMENT OF TUMORS

摘要

The invention concerns immunogens, immunogenic compositions and method for thetreatment of gastrin-dependent tumors. The immunogens comprise a gastrinreceptor immunomimic peptide conjugated to an immunogenic carrier. Theimmunogens are capable of inducing antibodies in vivo which bind to thegastrin-receptor (GR) in gastrin responsive malignant or premalignant tumor,thereby preventing growth stimulating peptide hormones from binding to thereceptors, and inhibiting tumor cell growth. The invention also comprisesspecific antibodies against the gastrin-receptor for passive immunization.Furthermore, the invention comprises cytotoxic molecule derivatized anti-GRantibodies. The invention also concerns diagnostic methods for detectinggastrin-dependent tumors in vivo or from a tissue biopsy using the antibodiesof the invention. Active and passive immunization can be combined providing animmune response against GR, G17 and/or G17-Gly.