New polypeptides representing linear epitopes of beta-human chorionic gonadotropin, useful in vaccines e.g. for treatment or prevention of cancer, also related nucleic acid and antibodies

摘要

Polypeptide (I) of sequence (8), or its fragments containing amino acids 1-17 or 18-42 of (8), and any of their analogs, are new. GluSerIleArgLeuProGlyCysProArgGlyValAsnProValValSerTyrAlaValAlaLeuSerCysGlnCys-AlaLeuCysArgArgSerThrThrAspCysGlyGlyProLysAspHis (8) : Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) composition (A) comprising (I) mixed with a carrier protein (CP) or active fragment of CP; (2) polynucleotide (II) that encodes (I); (3) method for selecting compounds (A) that can bind to (I) by affinity; (4) method for selecting compounds (A1) that target specifically tumor cells that overexpress the beta -subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (bhCG); (5) antibodies (Ab) that are directed specifically against (I), and their functional fragments; (6) method of diagnosis and/or prognosis of diseases associated with overexpression of bhCG, using Ab; and (7) kit for method (5). ACTIVITY : Cytostatic; Contraceptive. No details of tests for these activities are given. MECHANISM OF ACTION : Vaccination directed against bhCG; passive immunotherapy. Antibodies were raised in mice against bhCG, and the resulting serum injected, intraperitonealy in doses of 0.5 ml, into nude mice, implanted subcutaneously with the tumor cell line BxPC3. Injections of serum were made on the day on inoculation and again on days 3, 9, 17, 28, 36 and 44. After 56 days, tumor volume was about 150 mm3; compare about 380 mm3 for untreated controls and about 340 mm3 for animals injected with antibodies against an irrelevant protein.