HLA-A2 AND HLA-DR SPECIFIC PEPTIDE EPITOPES FROM THE MELANOMA ANTIGEN TRP2

摘要

Novel HLA-Class I and HLA Class II restricted epitopes of the melanoma antigen tyrosinase-related protein 2 are described. A novel HLA-A*0201 restricted epitopes present in the melanoma antigen tyrosinase-related protein 2 (TRP2) is disclosed. The invention relates to a nine-amino acid peptide designated TRP2 (180-188). The peptide is demonstrated to induce cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) which specifically react with, and lyse, melanoma cells in the context of HLA-A2 or HLA-A*0201. The invention further relates to a nine-amino acid peptide derived from TRP2 which induces helper T lymphocytes in the context of HLA-DR. The invention also relates to diagnostic methods and pharmaceutical compositions which employ the tumor antigen therapeutically and prophylactically.