SYNTHETIC GENE ENCODING RHESUS MONKEY CARCINOEMBRYONIC ANTIGEN AND USES THEREOF

摘要

Synthetic polynucleotides encoding rhesus monkey carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) are provided, the synthetic polynucleotides being codon-optimized for expression in a human cellular environment. The gene encoding CEA is commonly associated with the development of human carcinomas. The present invention provides compositions and methods to elicit or enhance immunity to the protein product expressed by the CEA tumor-associated antigen, wherein aberrant CEA expression is associated with a carcinoma or its development. This invention specifically provides adenoviral vector and plasmid constructs carrying codon-optimed rhesus monkey CEA and discloses their use in vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions for preventing and treating cancer.