Abstract:
The invention relates to an immunity-inducing agent comprising, as an active
ingredient, at least one polypeptide having immunity-inducing activity that is selected
from among polypeptides (a), (b), and (c): (a) a polypeptide of at least seven contiguous
amino acids of the amino acid sequence shown by any even SEQ ID number selected
from SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 30 listed in the Sequence Listing; (b) a polypeptide of at least
seven amino acids having 90% or more sequence identity with the polypeptide (a); and
(c) a polypeptide comprising the polypeptide (a) or (b) as a partial sequence thereof, or
a recombinant vector comprising a polynucleotide encoding said polypeptide and
capable of expressing said polypeptide in vivo.
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C/O BASIC RESEARCH LABORATORIES, TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC., 10-1, TEBIRO 6-CHOME, KAMAKURA-SHI, KANAGAWA 2488555, JAPAN
Specification
DESCRIPTION
IMMUNITY-INDUCING AGENT
Technical Field
[0001]
The present invention relates to a novel immunity-inducing agent that is useful
as a therapeutic and/or preventive agent for cancer or the like.
Background Art
[0002]
Cancer is the overall leading cause of death. At present, the primary form of
cancer treatment technique is surgical treatment, which is carried out in combination
with radiation treatment and chemotherapy. In spite of the development of novel
surgical techniques and the discovery of novel anticancer agents of recent years,
outcomes from cancer treatment still remain unimproved, except in the cases of some
types of cancer. In recent years, cancer antigens recognized by cytotoxic T cells that
are reactive to cancer and genes encoding cancer antigens have been identified along
with the development of molecular biology and cancer immunology, and expectations
for antigen-specific immunotherapy have increased (Tsuyoshi Akiyoshi, Gan to Kagaku
Ryouhou (Cancer and Chemotherapy), 1997, vol. 24, pp. 551-519, Cancer and
Chemotherapy Publishers Inc., Japan).
[0003]
Immunotherapy requires the cancer-cell-specific presence of a peptide,
polypeptide, or protein that is recognized as a target antigen, as well as substantial
absence thereof in normal cells from the viewpoint of alleviation of side effects. In
1991, Boon et al. (the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Belgium) isolated the
human melanoma antigen MAGE1 recognized by the CD8+ T cell via cDNA
expression cloning using an autologous cancer cell line and cancer-reactive T cells
(Bruggen P. et al., Science, 254: 1643-1647, 1991). Thereafter, the SEREX
(serological identifications of antigens by recombinant expression cloning) method,
which identifies the tumor antigen recognized by the antibody produced in response to
autologous cancer in the body of a cancer patient via gene expression cloning was
reported (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 92: 11810-11813, 1995; and US Patent No.
5,698,396). Some cancer antigens have been isolated by such techniques (Int. J.
Cancer, 72: 965-971, 1997; Cancer Res., 58: 1034-1041, 1998; Int. J. Cancer, 29:
652-658, 1998; Int. J. Oncol., 14: 703-708, 1999; Cancer Res., 56: 4766-4772, 1996;
and Hum. Mol. Genet. 6: 33-39, 1997). In addition, clinical testing of cancer
immunotherapy targeting some such antigitens has been initiated.
[0004]
As in the case of humans, dogs and cats are known to suffer from a variety of
tumors, such as mammary gland cancer, leukemia, and lymphoma, and tumors are
highly ranked in statistics for canine or feline diseases. However, there are no
effective therapeutic, preventive, or diagnostic agents for canine or feline cancer at
present. Most dog or cat owners would not notice canine or feline tumors until tumors
become advanced and enlarged. Even if tumors are removed via surgical operation or
drugs for human use (e.g., anticancer drugs) are administered, tumors are often already
beyond cure, and animals often die shortly after treatment. Under such circumstances,
if therapeutic, preventive, and diagnostic agents for cancer that are effective for dogs or
cats become available, application thereof for canine or feline cancer can be expected.
[0005]
The cytoplasmic and proliferation-associated protein 1 (CAPRIN-1) is
expressed when dormant normal cells are activated or undergo cell division.
CAPRIN-1 is an intracellular protein that is known to form intracellular stress granules
with RNA in the cell and to be associated with regulation of mRNA transportation and
translation. CAPRIN-1 is also known by various other names, and examples thereof
include the GPI-anchored membrane protein 1 and the membrane component surface
marker 1 protein (MUSI). CAPRIN-1 has names that convey the impression that it
has been known as a cell membrane protein. Such other names derive from a report to
the effect that the CAPRJN-1 gene sequence has a GPI-binding region and it is a
membrane protein expressed in a large-intestine-derived cell line (J. Biol. Chem., 270:
20717-20723, 1995). Later, however, it was known that the CAPRIN-1 gene sequence
in this report was incorrect, and in the gene sequence, deletion of a single nucleotide
from the CAPRIN-1 gene sequence currently registered in the GenBank or the like
causes a frame shift, thereby leading to deletion of 80 amino acids from the C terminus,
and therefore the resulting artifact (74 amino acids) was the GPI-binding region
mentioned in the foregoing report. In addition, it was also known that the CAPRIN-1
gene sequence shown in the report also had an error at the 5' side, and 53 amino acid
residues had been deleted from the N-terminus (J. Immunol., 172: 2389-2400, 2004).
It has also been reported that the protein encoded by the CAPRIN-1 gene sequence
currently registered in GenBank or the like is not a cell membrane protein (J. Immunol.,
172:2389-2400,2004).
[0006]
Based on the report of J. Biol. Chem., 270: 20717-20723, 1995, that
CAPRIN-1 is a cell membrane protein, US 2008/0075722 and WO 2005/100998
describe that CAPRIN-1 can be a target of cancer therapy as a cell membrane protein
under the name of Ml IS 1. However, they do not include any specific descriptions in
the Examples. As reported in J. Immunol., 172: 2389-2400, 2004, however, it has
been heretofore accepted since US 2008/0075722 was filed that CAPRIN-1 is not
expressed on a cell surface. It is apparent that the disclosures of US 2008/0075722
and WO 2005/100998 based only on the incorrect information that CAPRIN-1 is a cell
membrane protein should not be understood as general technical knowledge in the art.
In addition, there is no report that the expression level of CAPRIN-1 is higher in cancer
cells such as breast cancer cells than in normal cells.
Summary of the Invention
Problem to Be Solved by the Invention
[0009]
It is an object of the present invention to discover a novel polypeptide useful
for a therapeutic and/or preventive agent for cancer and to provide use of such
polypeptide as an immunity-inducing agent.
Means for Solving the Problem
[0010]
The present inventors have conducted concentrated studies, and then they
obtained cDNAs encoding proteins that bind to antibodies in the serum obtained from a
cancer-bearing living body by the SEREX method using a
canine-testicular-tissue-derived cDNA library and the serum of a dog afflicted with
breast cancer, and they prepared a canine CAPRIN-1 polypeptide having the amino acid
sequences shown by SEQ ID NOs: 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14 using such cDNAs. Using the
human homologous gene of the obtained gene, also, they prepared a human CAPRIN-1
polypeptide having the amino acid sequences as shown by SEQ ID NOs: 2 and 4.
Further, they found that such CAPRIN-1 polypeptides were expressed specifically in a
breast cancer, brain tumor, leukemia, lymphoma, lung cancer, esophagus cancer, and
colorectal cancer. Furthermore, they found that administration of such CAPRIN-1
polypeptides to living bodies would lead to induction of immunocytes against
CAPRIN-1 polypeptides in the living bodies and regression of tumors in living bodies
expressing the CAPRIN-1 genes. In addition, they found that the antibodies against
such CAPRIN-1 polypeptides would disrupt cancer cells that express the CAPRIN-1
genes and induce antitumor effects in vivo. This has led to the completion of the
present invention.
[0011]
Accordingly, the present invention has the following features.
[0012]
(1) An immunity-inducing agent comprising, as an active ingredient, at least
one polypeptide having immunity-inducing activity and selected from the following
polypeptides (a), (b), and (c), or a recombinant vector comprising a polynucleotide
encoding such polypeptide and capable of expressing such polypeptide in vivo:
[0013]
(a) a polypeptide of at least seven contiguous amino acids of the amino acid
sequence shown by any even SEQ ID number selected from SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 30 listed
in the Sequence Listing;
(b) a polypeptide of at least seven amino acids having 90% or more sequence
identity with the polypeptide (a); and
(c) a polypeptide comprising the polypeptide (a) or (b) as a partial sequence
thereof.
(2) The immunity-inducing agent according to (1), wherein the polypeptide (b)
is a polypeptide having 95% or more sequence identity with the polypeptide (a).
[0014]
(3) The immunity-inducing agent according to (1), wherein the polypeptide
having immunity-inducing activity is a polypeptide of at least seven contiguous amino
acids of the amino acid sequence shown by any even SEQ ID number selected from
SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 30 listed in the Sequence Listing or a polypeptide comprising such
polypeptide as a partial sequence thereof.
[0015]
(4) The immunity-inducing agent according to (3), wherein the polypeptide
having immunity-inducing activity is a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence
shown by any even SEQ ID number selected from SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 30 listed in the
Sequence Listing.
[0016]
(5) The immunity-inducing agent according to (3), wherein the polypeptide
having immunity-inducing activity is a polypeptide of at least seven contiguous amino
acids in the region of amino acid residues (aa) 41 to 400 or amino acid residues (aa) 503
to 564 of the amino acid sequence shown by any even SEQ ID number selected from
SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 30 listed in the Sequence Listing except for SEQ ID NO: 6 and SEQ
ID NO: 18 or a polypeptide comprising such polypeptide as a partial sequence thereof.
[0017]
(6) The immunity-inducing agent according to (5), wherein the polypeptide
having immunity-inducing activity is a polypeptide of the amino acid sequence shown
by any of SEQ ID NOs: 43 to 76 in the Sequence Listing or a polypeptide of 8 to 12
amino acids comprising the amino acid sequence shown by any of SEQ ID NOs: 43 to
76 in the Sequence Listing as a partial sequence thereof.
[0018]
(7) The immunity-inducing agent according to any of (1) to (6), which
comprises, as an active ingredient, one or plural types of such polypeptides.
[0019]
(8) The immunity-inducing agent according to (7), wherein the polypeptide is
an agent for treating an antigen-presenting cell.
[0020]
(9) The immunity-inducing agent according to any of (1) to (7), which is for
use in the treatment or prevention of animal cancer.
[0021]
(10) The immunity-inducing agent according to (9), wherein the cancer is
breast cancer, brain tumor, leukemia, lymphoma, lung cancer, esophagus cancer, or
colorectal cancer.
[0022]
(11) The immunity-inducing agent according to (9), wherein the animal is a
human, dog, or cat.
[0023]
(12) The immunity-inducing agent according to any of (1) to (11), which
further comprises an immunopotentiating agent.
[0024]
(13) The immunity-inducing agent according to (12), wherein the
immunopotentiating agent is at least one adjuvant or cytokine selected from the group
consisting of Freund's incomplete adjuvant, Montanide, poly IC and a derivative thereof,
CpG oligonucleotide, interleukin 12, interleukin 18, interferon a, interferon p, interferon
co, interferon y, and Flt3 ligand.
[0025]
(14) An isolated antigen-presenting cell comprising a complex of the
above-mentioned polypeptide having immunity-inducing activity and an HLA
molecule.
[0026]
(15) An isolated T cell, which selectively binds to a complex of the
above-mentioned polypeptide having immunity-inducing activity and an HLA
molecule.
[0027]
(16) A method for inducing immunity comprising administering to an
individual at least one polypeptide having immunity-inducing activity and selected from
the following polypeptides (a) to (c), or a recombinant vector comprising a
polynucleotide encoding such polypeptide and capable of expressing such polypeptide
in vivo:
[0028]
(a) a polypeptide of at least seven contiguous amino acids of the amino acid
sequence shown by any even SEQ ID number selected from SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 30 listed
in the Sequence Listing;
(b) a polypeptide of at least seven amino acids having 90% or more sequence
identity with the polypeptide (a); and
(c) a polypeptide comprising the polypeptide (a) or (b) as a partial sequence
thereof.
Effects of the Invention
[0029]
The present invention provides a novel immunity-inducing agent useful for
treatment and/or prevention of cancer. As specifically described in the examples
below, administration of the polypeptide used in the present invention to a
cancer-bearing animal enables induction of an immunocyte in the body of such
cancer-bearing animal, which further enables shrinkage or regression of existing cancer.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0030]
Fig. 1 shows the expression pattern of the gene encoding the CAPRIN-1
polypeptide in normal tissue and a tumor cell line. Reference number 1 represents the
expression pattern of the gene encoding the CAPRIN-1 protein, and Reference number
2 represents the expression pattern of the GAPDH gene.
In Fig. 2, Reference numbers 3 to 31 on the horizontal axis each represent the
capacity of HLA-A0201+ CD8+ T cells for producing IFN-y stimulated by the T2 cells
pulsed with the peptides of SEQ ID NOs: 43 to 71. Reference number 32 represents
the results regarding a negative control peptide of SEQ ID NO: 77 (a peptide having a
sequence outside the scope of the present invention).
In Fig. 3, Reference numbers 33 to 37 on the horizontal axis each represent the
capacity of the HLA-A24+ CD8+ T cells for producing IFN-y stimulated by the
JTK-LCL cells pulsed with the peptides of SEQ ID NOs: 72 to 76. Reference number
38 represents the results regarding a negative control of SEQ ID NO: 77.
In Fig. 4, Reference numbers 39 to 67 on the horizontal axis each represent the
cytotoxic activity of the HLA-A0201+ CD8+ T cells stimulated with the use of the
peptides of SEQ ID NOs: 43 to 71 on the U-87MG cells. Reference number 68
represents the cytotoxic activity of the CD8+ T cells induced with the use of a negative
control peptide (SEQ ID NO: 77).
In Fig. 5, Reference numbers 69 to 73 on the horizontal axis each represent the
cytotoxic activity of the HLA-A24+ CD 8+ T cells stimulated with the use of the
peptides of SEQ ID NOs: 72 to 76 on the JTK-LCL cells. Reference number 74
represents the cytotoxic activity of the CD8+ T cells induced with the use of a negative
control peptide (SEQ ID NO: 77).
Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention
[0031]
The polypeptides contained in the immunity-inducing agent of the present
invention as an active ingredient include one or a plurality of polypeptides selected from
the following polypeptides (a), (b), and (c):
[0032]
(a) a polypeptide of at least seven contiguous amino acids in a polypeptide
having the amino acid sequence shown by any even SEQ ID number selected from SEQ
ID NOs: 2 to 30 listed in the Sequence Listing and having immunity-inducing activity;
(b) a polypeptide having 90% or more sequence identity with the polypeptide
(a), consisting of at least 7 amino acids, and having immunity-inducing activity; and
(c) a polypeptide comprising the polypeptide (a) or (b) as a partial sequence
and having immunity-inducing activity.
The term "polypeptide" used herein refers to a molecule formed via peptide
bonds among a plurality of amino acids. The term refers not only to a polypeptide
molecule constituted by a large number of amino acids but also a low-molecular-weight
molecule constituted by a small number of amino acids (an oligopeptide) and a
full-length protein. In the present invention, the term "polypeptide" also refers to a
protein of a full length sequence shown by any even SEQ ID number among SEQ ID
NOs: 2 to 30.
[0033]
The nucleotide sequences of polynucleotides encoding separate proteins
consisting of the amino acid sequences as shown by even SEQ ID numbers among SEQ
ID NOs: 2 to 30 (i.e., SEQ ID NOs: 2, 4, 6...28, and 30) are shown by odd SEQ ID
numbers among SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 29 (i.e., SEQ ID NOs:l, 3, 5...27, and 29).
[0034]
The term "having the amino acid sequence" used herein refers to a sequence
composed of amino acid residues in a particular order. For example, the term "a
polypeptide having the amino acid sequence shown by SEQ ID NO: 2" refers to a
polypeptide of 709 amino acid residues in length possessing the amino acid sequence
shown by SEQ ID NO: 2, i.e., Met Pro Ser Ala Thr...(snip)...Gin Gin Val Asn,. The
term "a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence shown by SEQ ID NO: 2" may be
occasionally abbreviated as "the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 2." The same applies to
the expression "having the nucleotide sequence." In the context of that, the term
"having" is interchangeable with the expression "consisting of."
[0035]
The term "immunity-inducing activity" used herein refers to the capacity for
inducing an immunocyte that secretes cytokine, such as interferon or interleukin, in
vivo.
[0036]
Whether or not a polypeptide has immunity-inducing activity can be confirmed
via, for example, known ELISPOT assay. Specifically, cells such as peripheral blood
mononuclear cells are obtained from a living body to which a polypeptide to be assayed
for the immunity-inducing activity has been administered, such cells are co-cultured in
the presence of such polypeptide, and the production amount of cytokine and/or
chemokine, such as IFN-y or interleukin (IL), from the cells is measured with the use of
a specific antibody, as described in the Examples below, for example. Thus, the
number of immunocytes among the cells can be assayed. This enables evaluation of
immunity-inducing activity.
[0037]
Alternatively, a recombinant polypeptide prepared based on an amino acid
sequence shown by any even SEQ ID number among SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 30 may be
administered to a cancer-bearing animal, so that a tumor can be regressed by the
immunity-inducing activity, as described in the Examples below. Thus, the
immunity-inducing activity can be evaluated as the capacity for suppressing the growth
of cancer cells expressing a polypeptide shown by any even SEQ ID number among
SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 30 or the capacity for shrinking or eliminating cancer tissue (tumor)
(hereafter, such capacity is referred to as "antitumor activity"). The antitumor activity
of the polypeptides can be determined by, for example, actually administering such
polypeptide to a cancer-bearing living body and examining whether or not the tumor is
shrinked, as specifically described in the Examples below.
[0038]
Alternatively, whether or not T cells stimulated by the polypeptide (i.e., T cells
brought into contact with the antigen-presenting cells that present such polypeptide)
exhibit cytotoxic activity on tumor cells in vitro may be examined to evaluate the
antitumor activity of the polypeptide. T cells can be brought into contact with
antigen-presenting cells via co-culture thereof in a liquid medium as described below.
The cytotoxic activity can be assayed via a known technique referred to as the
5ICr-release assay technique described in, for example, Int. J. Cancer, 58: p. 317, 1994.
When the polypeptides are used for treatment and/or prevention of cancer, it is
preferable that the immunity-inducing activity be evaluated using the antitumor activity
as an indicator, although a method of evaluation is not particularly limited.
[0039]
The amino acid sequences shown by even SEQ ID numbers among SEQ ID
NOs: 2 to 30 listed in the Sequence Listing disclosed by the present invention are the
amino acid sequences of the CAPRIN-1 polypeptides isolated as the polypeptides
binding to the antibodies existing specifically in the serum obtained from
cancer-bearing dog and human, bovine, horse, mouse, and chicken homologues of such
polypeptides by the SEREX method using the normal canine testicular tissue-derived
cDNA library and the serum of a dog afflicted with breast cancer (see Example 1
below).
[0040]
The polypeptide (a) indicated above is of at least 7 and preferably at least 8, 9,
10 or more contiguous amino acids in a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence
shown by any even SEQ ID number among SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 30 and has
immunity-inducing activity. Particularly preferably, such polypeptide has an amino
acid sequence shown by any even SEQ ID number among SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 30. As
known in the art, a polypeptide of at least about 7 amino acid residues can exert
antigenicity. Accordingly, a polypeptide of at least seven contiguous amino acid
residues of the amino acid sequence shown by any even SEQ ID number among SEQ
ID NOs: 2 to 30 can exert antigenicity and immunogenicity. That is, a polypeptide of
at least seven contiguous amino acid residues of the amino acid sequence shown by any
even SEQ ID number among SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 30 can have immunity-inducing
activity, and such polypeptide can be used for preparing the immunity-inducing agent of
the present invention. Based on the fact that antibodies produced against an antigenic
substance in vivo are polyclonal antibodies, a polypeptide composed of a larger number
of amino acid residues can induce a larger variety of antibodies recognizing various
sites of the antigenic substance, thereby enhancing the immunity-inducing activity.
In order to enhance immunity-inducing activity, accordingly, the number of amino acid
residues may be preferably at least 30 or more, or 50 or more, more preferably at least
100 or more, 150 or more, and further preferably at least 200 or more, or still preferably
250 or more.
[0041]
As the principle of immunity induction via administration of a cancer antigen
polypeptide, it is known that a polypeptide is incorporated into an antigen-presenting
cell, the polypeptide is degraded by a peptidase in the cell into a smaller fragment
(hereafter it may be referred to as an "epitope"), such fragment is presented on the cell
surface, cytotoxic T cells or the like recognize such fragment and selectively kill the
antigen-presenting cells. The size of a polypeptide presented on the antigen-presenting
cell surface is relatively small, and it is about 7 to 30 in terms of the number of amino
acids. From the viewpoint of presentation on the antigen-presenting cell, accordingly,
it is sufficient that the polypeptide (a) is of about 7 to 30 and preferably about 8 to 30 or
9 to 30 contiguous amino acids in the amino acid sequences shown by any even SEQ ID
number among SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 30. Such polypeptide of a relatively small size may
be directly presented on the antigen-presenting cell surface without being incorporated
into the antigen-presenting cell.
[0042]
The polypeptide incorporated into the antigen-presenting cell is cleaved at
random positions with a peptidase present in the cells, a variety of polypeptide
fragments are generated, and such polypeptide fragments are presented on the
antigen-presenting cell surface. If a large polypeptide such as a full-length sequence
shown by any even SEQ ID number among SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 30 is administered,
accordingly, polypeptide fragments that are effective for immunity induction mediated
by antigen-presenting cells via degradation in the antigen-presenting cell are naturally
generated. Thus, a large-size polypeptide can be preferably used for immunity
induction mediated by antigen-presenting cells, and the number of amino acids may be
at least 30, more preferably at least 100, further preferably at least 200, and still further
preferably at least 250.
[0043]
Further, the polypeptide of the present invention can be screened for a peptide
being a possible epitope with the use of a matching medium that can search for a
peptide serving as a possible epitope having a binding motif for each HLA type, such as
the HLA Peptide Binding Predictions of Bioinformatics & Molecular Analysis
Selection (BIMAS) (http://bimas.dcrt.nih.gov/molbio/hla_bind/index.html).
Specifically, a polypeptide of at least seven contiguous amino acids in the region of
amino acid residues (aa) 41 to 400 or amino acid residues (aa) 503 to 564 in the amino
acid sequences shown by any even SEQ ID number selected from among SEQ ID NOs:
2 to 30 except for SEQ ID NO: 6 and SEQ ID NO: 18 or a polypeptide comprising such
polypeptide as a partial sequence thereof is preferable. In the polypeptide of SEQ ID
NO: 2, a polypeptide shown by any of SEQ ID NOs: 43 to 76 is more preferable.
[0044]
The polypeptide (b) above is derived from the polypeptide (a) by substitution,
deletion, addition, and/or insertion of a small number of (preferably one or several)
amino acid residues, it has 80% or more, 85% or more, preferably 90% or more, more
preferably 95% or more, further preferably 98% or more, 99% or more, or 99.5% or
more sequence identity with the original sequence, and it has immunity-inducing
activity. When a small number of (preferably one or several) amino acid residues are
substituted with, deleted from, added to, or inserted into the amino acid sequence of the
protein antigen, in general, it is extensively known in the art that the resulting protein
occasionally has substantially the same antigenicity or immunogenicity with that of the
original protein. Thus, the polypeptide (b) above is capable of exerting the
immunity-inducing activity and it can be thus used for preparing the immunity-inducing
agent of the present invention. Alternatively, the polypeptide (b) above is preferably a
polypeptide having an amino acid sequence derived from the amino acid sequence
shown by any even SEQ ID number among SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 30 by substitution,
deletion, addition, and/or insertion of one or several amino acid residues. The term
"several" used herein refers to an integer from 2 to 10, preferably an integer from 2 to 6,
and further preferably an integer from 2 to 4.
[0045]
The term "sequence identity" used herein regarding the amino acid sequence or
nucleotide sequence represents a percentage (%) determined by aligning two amino acid
sequences (or nucleotide sequences) to be compared so as to maximize the number of
matching amino acid residues (or nucleotides) and dividing the number of matched
amino acid residues (or the number of matched nucleotides) by the total number of
amino acid residues (or the total number of nucleotides). When aligning the sequences
as described above, a gap is adequately inserted into one or both of the two sequences to
be compared, according to need. Such sequence alignment can be carried out with the
use of a well-known program, for example, BLAST, FASTA, or CLUSTAL W (Karlin
and Altschul, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 87: 2264-2268, 1993; Altschul et al.,
Nucleic Acids Res., 25: 3389-3402,1997). When a gap is inserted, the total number of
amino acid residues (or the total number of nucleotides) is the number of residues (or
the number of nucleotides) counted by designating a gap as an amino acid residue (or a
nucleotide). When the total number of amino acid residues (or the total number of
nucleotides) thus determined differs between the two sequences to be compared,
identity (%) is determined by dividing the number of the matched amino acid residues
(or the number of nucleotides) by the total number of amino acid residues (or the total
number of nucleotides) of a longer sequence.
[0046]
A preferable amino acid substituion is a conservative amino acid substition.
Twenty types of amino acids constituting a naturally-occurring protein can be classified
into groups of amino acids having similar properties: i.e., neutral amino acids having
low-polarity side chains (Gly, He, Val, Leu, Ala, Met, and Pro); neutral amino acids
having hydrophilic side chains (Asn, Gin, Thr, Ser, Tyr, and Cys); acidic amino acids
(Asp, and Glu); basic amino acids (Arg, Lys, and His); and aromatic amino acids (Phe,
Tyr, Tip, and His). It is known that substitution within such groups; i.e., conservative
substitution, would not alter polypeptide properties in many cases. When amino acid
residues in the polypeptide (a) of the present invention are substituted, accordingly,
substitution may be carried out within such groups, so that a possibility of maintaining
the immunity-inducing activity can be enhanced. In the present invention, however,
the altered polypeptide may have non-conservative substitution, provided that the
resulting polypeptide has immunity-inducing activity equivalent or substantially
equivalent to that of an unaltered polypeptide.
[0047]
The polypeptide (c) comprises the polypeptide (a) or (b) as a partial sequence
thereof and has immunity-inducing activity. Specifically, the polypeptide (c)
corresponds to the polypeptide (a) or (b) to which other amino acid(s) or polypeptide(s)
are added at one or both ends thereof and having immunity-inducing activity. Such
polypeptide can be used for preparing the immunity-inducing agent of the present
invention.
[0048]
The above-mentioned polypeptide can be chemically synthesized in accordance
with, for example, the Fmoc (fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl) method or the tBoc
(t-butyloxycarbonyl) method (the Japanese Biochemical Society (ed.), Seikagaku Jikken
Kouza (the Course for Biochemical Experiment) 1, Tanpakushitsu no Kagaku
(Chemistry of Protein) IV, Kagaku Shushoku to Peptide Gousei (Chemical Modification
and Peptide Synthesis), Tokyo Kagaku Dojin, Japan, 1981). Also, a variety of
commercially available peptide synthesizers can be used to synthesize the polypeptide
in accordance with a conventional technique. Further, known genetic engineering
techniques (e.g., Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning, vol. 2, Current Protocols in
Molecular Biology, 1989, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press; and Ausubel et al.,
Short Protocols in Molecular Biology, vol. 3, A compendium of Methods from Current
Protocols in Molecular Biology, 1995, John Wiley & Sons) may be employed to prepare
a polynucleotide encoding the above polypeptide, the resulting polypeptide may be
incorporated into an expression vector and then introduced into a host cell, and the
polypeptide may be produced in such host cell to obtain the target polypeptide.
[0049]
A polynucleotide encoding the above polypeptide can be easily prepared via a
known genetic engineering technique or a conventional technique using a commercially
available nucleic acid synthesizer. For example, DNA having the nucleotide sequence
of SEQ ID NO: 1 can be prepared by performing PCR with the use of the human
chromosome DNA or cDNA library as a template and a pair of primers designed so as
to amplify the nucleotide sequence shown by SEQ ID NO: 1. Similarly, DNA having
the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5 can be prepared with the use of the canine
chromosome DNA or cDNA library as the template. PCR conditions can be
adequately determined. For example, a reaction cycle of denaturation at 94°C for 30
seconds, annealing at 55°C for 30 seconds to 1 minute, and extension at 72°C for 2
minutes with the use of thermostable DNA polymerase (e.g., Taq polymerase) and
Mg2+-containing PCR buffer is repeated 30 times, followed by the reaction at 72°C for 7
minutes, although the reaction conditions are not limited thereto. PCR techniques,
conditions, and the like are described in, for example, Ausubel et al., Short Protocols in
Molecular Biology, vol. 3, A compendium of Methods from Current Protocols in
Molecular Biology, 1995, John Wiley & Sons (Chapter 15, in particular). Also,
adequate probes or primers may be prepared based on the information of the nucleotide
sequences and the amino acid sequences shown by SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 30 in the
Sequence Listing of the present invention, and human, canine, bovine, or other cDNA
libraries may be screened for with the use of such probes or primers, so that DNA of
interest can be isolated. cDNA libraries are preferably prepared from cells, organs, or
tissue in which a protein shown by any even SEQ ID number among SEQ ID NOs: 2 to
30 is expressed. Procedures, such as preparation of probes or primers, construction of
cDNA library, screening of cDNA library, and cloning of target genes, described above
are known in the art. For example, such procedures can be carried out in accordance
with the methods described in Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning, vol. 2, Current
Protocols in Molecular Biology, 1989), Ausubel et al. (as above). DNA encoding
polypeptide (a) above can be obtained from DNA thus obtained. Since a codon
encoding each amino acid is known, a nucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide
encoding a particular amino acid sequence can be easily identified. Accordingly, the
nucleotide sdquence of a polynucleotide encoding polypeptide (b) or (c) can be easily
identified, and such polynucleotide can also be easily synthesized with the use of a
commercially available nucleic acid synthesizer in accordance with a conventional
technique.
[0050]
The host cells may be any cells, provided that the aforementioned polypeptide
can be expressed therein. The host cells include, but not limited to, an E. coli cell as
prokaryotic cells; and monkey kidney cells (COS 1), Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells,
the human embryonic kidney cell line (HEK293), and the fetal mouse skin cell line
(NIH3T3), budding yeast cells, dividing yeast cells, silk worm cells, and xenopus egg
cells as eukaryotic cells
[0051]
When prokaryotic host cells are used, expression vectors having, for example,
an origin, a promoter, a ribosome-binding site, a multi-cloning site, a terminator, a
drug-tolerant gene, and an auxotrophic complementary gene that can be replicated in
prokaryotic cells, are used. Examples of E. coli expression vectors include pUC,
pBluescriptll, the pET expression system, and the pGEX expression system. DNA
encoding the above polypeptide may be incorporated into such expression vector,
prokaryotic host cells may be transformed with such vector, and the resulting
transformant may be cultured. Thus, a polypeptide encoded by the DNA can be
expressed in prokaryotic host cells. In this case, such polypeptide can be expressed in
the form of a fusion protein with another protein.
[0052]
When eukaryotic host cells are used, eukaryotic cell expression vectors having,
for example, a promoter, a splicing region, and a poly(A) addition site are used.
Examples of such expression vectors include pKAl, pCDM8, pSVK3, pMSG, pSVL,
pBK-CMV, pBK-RSV, EBV, pRS, pcDNA3, and pYES2 vectors. As described above,
DNA encoding the above polypeptide may be incorporated into such expression vector,
eukaryotic host cells may be transformed with such vector, and the resulting
transformant may then be cultured. Thus, a polypeptide encoded by the DNA can be
expressed in eukaryotic host cells. When pIND/V5-His, pFLAG-CMV-2, pEGFP-Nl,
pEGFP-Cl, or other expression vectors are used, the polypeptide can be expressed in
the form of a fusion protein with a variety of tags, such as His tag (e.g., (His)6 to
(His)io), FLAG tag, myc tag, HA tag, or GFP.
[0053]
Expression vectors can be introduced into host cells via conventional
techniques, such as electroporation, the calcium phosphate method, the liposome
method, the DEAE-dextran method, microinjection, virus infection, lipofection, or
binding with a cell-permeable peptide.
[0054]
The target polypeptide can be isolated and purified from host cells by
employing known separation techniques in combination. Examples thereof include,
but are not limited to, treatment with the use of a denaturing agent such as urea or a
surfactant, ultrasonication, enzyme digestion, salting out or fractional precipitation with
a solvent, dialysis, centrifugation, ultrafiltration, gel filtration, SDS-PAGE, isoelectric
focusing, ion exchange chromatography, hydrophobic chromatography, affinity
chromatography, and reverse phase chromatography.
[0055]
Some polypeptides obtained by such methods are in the form of fusion proteins
with any other proteins as described above. Examples thereof include fusioin proteins
with glutathione-S-transferase (GST) or His tag. Such polypeptides in the form of
fusion proteins are within the scope of the present invention as polypeptide (c).
Further, polypeptides expressed in transformed cells are translated, and the translated
polypeptides occassionally undergo various types of modification in the cells. Such
post-translationally modified polypeptides are also within the scope of the present
invention, provided that such polypeptides have immunity-inducing activity.
Examples of such post-translational modification include elimination of N-terminal
methionine, N-terminal acetylation, sugar chain addition, limited degradation with
intracellular protease, myristoylation, isoprenylation and phosphorylation.
[0056]
As specifically described in the examples below, administration of the
above-mentioned polypeptide having immunity-inducing activity to a cancer-bearing
living body enables regression of an existing tumor. Thus, the immunity-inducing
agent of the present invention can be used as a therapeutic and/or preventive agent for
cancer.
[0057]
The terms "tumor" and "cancer" used herein refer to malignant neoplasms, and
these terms are used interchangeably with each other.
[0058]
In this case, target cancers are those expressing a gene encoding a polypeptide
comprising an amino acid sequence shown by any even SEQ ID number among SEQ ID
NOs: 2 to 30 or a partial sequence thereof consisting of at least 7 contiguous amino
acids. Preferably, such cancers are breast cancer, brain tumor, leukemia, lung cancer,
lymphoma, mast cell tumor, esophagus cancer, and colorectal cancer. Examples of
such specified cancers include, but are not limited to, mammary gland cancer, combined
mammary gland cancer, malignant mixed tumor of the mammary gland, intraductal
papillary adenocarcinoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, gastrointestinal lymphoma,
digestive lymphoma, and small to medium cell lymphoma.
[0059]
Target animals are mammalians, and examples thereof include mammalian
animals, including primates, pet animals, livestock animals, and competitive animals,
with humans, dogs, and cats being particularly preferable.
[0060]
The immunity-inducing agent of the present invention may be administered
orally or parenterally to an organism. Parenteral administration, such as intramuscular,
subcutaneous, intravenous, or intraarterial administration, is preferable. When such
immunity-inducing agent is used for the purpose of cancer treatment, the agent can be
administered to the regional lymph node in the vicinity of the tumor to be treated, so as
to improve the antitumor effects as described in the examples below. The dose may be
any amount as long as it is effective for immunity induction. When the agent is used
for treatment and/or prevention of cancer, for example, an amount effective for
treatment and/or prevention of cancer is sufficient, and such amount can be altered
depending on, for example, the body weight, sex (i.e., male or female), or symptom of
an animal. The amount effective for treatment and/or prevention of cancer is
adequately determined in accordance with the tumor size, symptoms, or other
conditions. In general, an effective amount for a target animal per day is 0.0001 \ig to
1,000 ug, and preferably 0.001 (j.g to 1,000 ug, and the agent can be administered via a
single dose or a plurality of doses. Preferably, the agent is administered via several
separate doses every several days or months. As specifically described in the
examples below, the immunity-inducing agent of the present invention enables
regression of an existing tumor. Thus, the agent can exert the antitumor effects on a
small number of cancer cells in an early developmental stage. Use thereof before the
onset of cancer or after treatment leads to prevention of the development or recurrence
of cancer. Specifically the immunity-inducing agent of the present invention is useful
for treatment and prevention of cancer.
[0061]
The immunity-inducing agent of the present invention may consist of a
polypeptide, or it may be adequately mixed with an additive that is suitable for a
relevant dosage form, such as a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, a diluent, an
excipient, or the like. Methods of preparing an agent and additives that can be used
are well-known in the medical preparation field, and any methods and additives can be
employed. Specific examples of additives include, but are not limited to: diluents,
such as physiological buffer solutions; excipients, such as sugar, lactose, corn starch,
calcium phosphate, sorbitol, and glycine; binders, such as syrup, gelatin, gum Arabic,
sorbitol, polyvinyl chloride, and tragacanth; and lubricants, such as magnesium stearate,
polyethylene glycol, talc, and silica. Examples of forms of preparations include oral
agents, such as tablets, capsules, granules, powders, and syrup solutions, and parenteral
agents, such as inhalants, injection preparations, suppositories, and liquid drugs. Such
agents can be prepared by common methods.
[0062]
The immunity-inducing agent of the present invention can be used in
combination with an immunopotentiating agent capable of potentiating an
immunological response in vivo.
The immunopotentiating agent may be incorporated into the immunity-inducing agent
of the present invention, or it may be administered to a patient as another composition
in combination with the immunity-inducing agent of the present invention.
[0063]
The term "patient" used herein refers to an animal, a mammalian animal in
particular, and it is preferably a human, dog, or cat.
[0064]
An example of the immunopotentiating agent is an adjuvant. An adjuvant
provides an antigen reservoir (outside the cell or in the macrophage), it activates the
macrophage, and it stimulates lymphocytes in a given tissue. Thus, an adjuvant can
potentiate an immunological response and enhance the antitumor effects. When the
immunity-inducing agent of the present invention is used for treatment and/or
prevention of cancer, accordingly, it is particularly preferable that the
immunity-inducing agent further comprise an adjuvant in addition to the polypeptide as
an active ingredient. Various types of adjuvants are well-known in the art, and any
such adjuvants can be used. Specific examples thereof include: MPL (SmithKline
Beecham); an equivalent obtained by purification and acid hydrolysis of a
lipopolysaccharide of Salmonella minnesota Re 595; QS21 (SmithKline Beecham); a
pure saponin QA-21 purified from the Quillja saponaria extract; DQS21 disclosed in
the PCT application (WO 96/33739, SmithKline Beecham); QS-7, QS-17, QS-18, and
QS-L1 (So et al., Molecules and Cells, 1997, 7: 178-186); Freund's incomplete
adjuvant; Freund's complete adjuvant; vitamin E; Montanide; alum; CpG
oligonucleotide (e.g., Kreig et al., Nature, 1995, 374: 546-549); poly IC and a derivative
thereof (e.g., poly ICLC); and various water-in-oil emulsions prepared from
biodegradable oil, such as squalene and/or tocopherol. Freund's incomplete adjuvant,
Montanide, poly I:C, a derivative thereof, and CpG oligonucleotide are particularly
preferable. The rate of the adjuvant mixed with a polypeptide is typically about 1:10
to 10:1, preferably about 1:5 to 5:1, and further preferably about 1:1. It should be
noted that adjuvants are not limited to those exemplified above, and other adjuvants
known in the art can also be used at the time of administration of the immunity-inducing
agent of the present invention (e.g., Goding, Monoclonal Antibodies: Principles and
Practice, vol. 2, 1986). A method for preparing a mixture of polypeptide and adjuvant
or an emulsion is well-known to a person skilled in the field of immunization.
[0065]
As the immunopotentiating agent, factors that stimulate an immunological
response of interest can be used in addition to the aforementioned adjuvants. For
example, various cytokines that stimulate lymphocytes or antigen-presenting cells can
be used as the immunopotentiating agent in combination with the immunity-inducing
agent of the present invention. Many cytokines that can potentiate immunological
responses are known in the art. Examples thereof include, but are not limited to,
interleukin-12 (IL-12), GM-CSF, IL-18, interferon a, interferon p\ interferon co,
interferon y, and Flt3 ligand that are known to potentiate the protective effects of a
vaccine. Such factor can be used as the immunopotentiating agent and can be
administered to a patient in the form of a mixture thereof with the immunity-inducing
agent of the present invention or in combination with the immunity-inducing agent of
the present invention as another composition.
[0066]
Further, the above-mentione,d polypeptides may be brought into contact with
antigen-presenting cells in vitro to present such polypeptides to the antigen-presenting
cells. Specifically, the polypeptides (a) to (c) can be used as agents for treating the
antigen-presenting cells. Examples of antigen-presenting cells include dendritic cells,
B cells, and macrophages, and dendritic cells or B cells having MHC class I molecules
are preferably used. A variety of MHC class I molecules have been identified and
well-known. Human MHC molecules are referred to as "HLA." Examples of HLA
class I molecules include HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-C. Specific examples include
HLA-A1, HLA-A0201, HLA-A0204, HLA-A0205, HLA-A0206, HLA-A0207,
HLA-A11, HLA-A24, HLA-A31, HLA-A6801, HLA-B7, HLA-B8, HLA-B2705,
HLA-B37, HLA-Cw0401, and HLA-Cw0602.
[0067]
Dendritic cells or B cells having MHC class I molecules can be prepared from
the peripheral blood by a well-known technique. For example, dendritic cells are
induced from the bone marrow, umbilical blood, or peripheral blood of a patient with
the use of the granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factors (GM-CSF) and IL-3
(or IL-4), and tumor-associated peptides are added to the culture system. Thus,
tumor-specific dendritic cells can be induced.
[0068]
Administration of an effective amount of such dendritic cells enables induction
of a response desirable for cancer treatment. Examples of cells that can be used
include the bone marrow and the umbilical blood provided by a healthy individual and
the bone marrow and the peripheral blood of the patient. When the patient's own
autologous cells are used, a safety level is high, and serious side effects can be avoided.
The peripheral blood or bone marrow may be a fresh, hypothermically stored, or
cryopreserved sample. The peripheral blood may be prepared by culturing the whole
blood or by culturing the separated leukocyte components, with the latter being
preferable from the viewpoint of efficiency. Further, mononuclear cells may be
isolated from the leukocyte components. When the sample is prepared from the bone
marrow or umbilical blood, the entire cells that constitute the bone marrow may be
cultured, or mononuclear cells may be separated therefrom and cultured. The
peripheral blood, the leukocyte component thereof, and the bone marrow cells comprise
mononuclear cells, hematopoietic stem cells, immature dendritic cells, or CD4+ cells
from which dendritic cells originate. Cytokines may be of a naturally-occurring or
gene recombinant type, and methods for producing the same are not limited, provided
that safety and physiological activities thereof have been verified. Preferably, the
minimum requirement of samples with verified medical qualities is used. The
concentration of cytokine added is not particularly limited, provided that dendritic cells
are induced. In general, the total cytokine concentration of approximately 10 to 1,000
ng/ml is preferable, and about 20 to 500 ng/ml is further preferable. Culture can be
conducted with the use of a well-known medium that is generally used for leukocyte
culture. A culture temperature is not particularly limited, provided that leukocytes can
be multiplied, and the human body temperature (i.e., approximately 37°C) is the most
preferable. A gaseous environment during culture is not particularly limited, provided
that leukocytes can be multiplied. Aeration with 5% CO2 is preferable. Further, a
culture duration is not particularly limited, provided that a nucessary number of cells is
induced. It is generablly 3 days to 2 weeks. An adequate apparatus can be used for
cell separatioin or culture, and it is preferable that such apparatus have the approved
medical safety and stable and simple operability. In particular, cell culture apparatuses
are not limited to common containers, such as petri-dishes, flasks, and bottles, and
laminated or multistage containers, roller bottles, spinner bottles, bag-type culture
apparatus, hollow fiber columns, or the like can also be used.
[0069]
The above-mentioned polypeptides can be brought into contact with
antigen-presenting cells in vitro via a well-known technique. For example,
antigen-presenting cells can be cultured in a coluture solution containing such
polypeptides. Peptide concentration in a medium is not particularly limited. In
general, it is about 1 to 100 |ig/ml, and preferably about 5 to 20 ug/ml. Cell density
during culture is not particularly limited, and it is generally about 10 to 10 cells/ml,
and preferably about 5 x 104 to 5 x 106 cells/ml. It is preferable that culture be
conducted at 37°C in 5% CO2 in accordance with a conventional technique. A peptide
length that can be presented on the antigen-presenting cell surface is generally about 30
amino acid residues at maximum. When antigen-presenting cells are brought into
contact with polypeptides in vitro, accordingly, the length of the polypeptide may be
adjusted to about 30 amino acid residues or less, although the length is not particularly
limited thereto.
[0070]
By culturing antigen-presenting cells in the presence of the polypeptides,
peptides are incorporated into MHC molecules of the antigen-presenting cells and
presented on the surfaces thereof. Thus, the isolated antigen-presenting cells
containing the complex of polypeptides and MHC molecules can be prepared with the
use of such polypeptides. Such antigen-presenting cells can present the polypeptides
to T cells in vivo or in vitro, induce cytotoxic T cells specific for the polypeptides, and
multiply such T cells.
[0071]
The thus-prepared antigen-presenting cells containing the complex of
polypeptides and MHC molecules may be brought into contact with T cells in vitro, so
that cytotoxic T cells specific for such polypeptides can be induced and multiplied. It
can be achieved by culturing the antigen-presenting cells together with the T cells in a
liquid medium. For example, culture can be conducted by suspending
antigen-presenting cells in a liquid medium, introducing the resulting suspension into a
container such as wells of a microplate, and adding T cells thereto. The mixing ratio
of antigen-presenting cells to T cells at the time of coculture is not particularly limited,
and it is generally about 1:1 to 1:10, and preferably about 1:5 to 1:20 in terms of the cell
count. Also, the density of antigen-presenting cells suspended in a liquid medium is
not particularly limited, and it is generally about 100 to 107 cells/ml, and preferably
about 104 to 106 cells/ml. Co-culture is preferably carried out in accordance with a
conventional technique at 37°C in 5% CO2. A culture duration is not particularly
limited, and it is generally 2 days to 3 weeks, and preferably about 4 days to 2 weeks.
It is preferable that coculture be carried out in the presence of a single type or a plurality
of types of interleukins, such as IL-2, IL-6, IL-7, and IL-12. In such a case, IL-2 or
IL-7 concentration is generally about 5 U/ml to 20 U/ml, IL-6 concentration is generally
about 500 U/ml to 2,000 U/ml, and IL-12 concentration is generally about 5 ng/ml to 20
ng/ml, although the concentration is not limited thereto. The unit "U" used herein
indicates a unit of activity. Co-culture may be repeated once or several times with the
addition of fresh antigen-presenting cells. For example, the culture supernatant after
coculture is discarded, coculture is further carried out with the addition of a suspension
of fresh antigen-presenting cells, and such procedure may be repeated once or several
times. Coculture conditions may be as described above.
[0072]
Cytotoxic T cells specific for the polypeptides are induced and multiplied via
the co-culture. Thus, isolated T cells that selectively bind to the complex of
polypeptides and MHC molecules can be prepared with the use of the above
polypeptides.
[0073]
As described in the Examples below, genes encoding polypeptides of any even
SEQ ID number among SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 30 are expressed specifically in the breast
cancer cells, the leukemia cells, and the lymphoma cells. Accordingly, it is considered
that a significantly larger number of polypeptides of even SEQ ID numbers among SEQ
ID NOs: 2 to 30 are present in such cancer cells than in normal cells. When some
polypeptides in cancer cells are presented to the MHC molecules on the cancer cell
surface and the cytotoxic T cells prepared as described above are administered into a
living body, cytotoxic T cells can disrupt cancer cells using the same as a marker.
Since the antigen-presenting cells presenting the polypeptides are capable of inducing
and multiplying cytotoxic T cells specific for the polypeptides in vivo, administration of
the antigen-presenting cells into a living body can also disrupt cancer cells. That is,
the cytotoxic T cells prepared with the use of the polypeptides or the antigen-presenting
cells are useful as the therapeutic and/or preventive agent for cancer as with the
immunity-inducing agent of the present invention.
[0074]
When the isolated antigen-presenting cells or isolated T cells are administered
to a living body, it is preferable that such isolated cells are prepared from the
antigen-presenting cells or T cells sampled from the patient who receives the treatment
with the use of the polypeptides (a) to (c) in order to avoid an immunological response
that recognize such cells as foreign matter and attacks such cells in vivo.
[0075]
The route of administration of a therapeutic and/or preventive agent for cancer
comprising, as an active ingredient, the antigen-presenting cells or isolated T cells is
preferably a parenteral route, such as intravenous or intraarterial administration. A
dosage is adequately selected in accordance with the symptom, the purpose of
administration, and other conditions, and in general, 1 to 1013 cells, and preferably 106
to 109 cells are used for administration, and such cells are preferably administered once
every several days or several months. A preparation may be, for example, a
suspension of cells in a physiological buffered saline solution, and it can be used in
combination with other antitumor agents or cytokines. Also, one or more additives
well-known in the medical preparation field can be added.
[0076]
Polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides (a) to (c) may be expressed in the
body of a target animal, so that antibody production or cytotoxic T cells can be induced
in the body, and effects equivalent to those attained via polypeptide administration can
be attained. Specifically, the immunity-inducing agent of the present invention may
comprise polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides (a) to (c) and comprise, as an
active ingredient, a recombinant vector capable of expressing such polypeptide in vivo.
Such recombinant vector capable of expressing an antigen polypeptide is also referred
to as a "gene-based vaccine."
[0077]
A vector used for preparing a gene-based vaccine is not particularly limited,
provided that it can express polypeptides of interest in the target animal cells (preferably
mammalian animal cells). It may be a plasmid or virus vector, and any vector known
in the gene-based vaccine field may be used. Polynucleotides, such as DNA or RNA
encoding the polypeptides, can be easily prepared in accordance with a conventional
technique as described above. Also, the polynucleotides can be incorporated into a
vector by a method well-known in the art.
[0078]
Preferably, a gene-based vaccine is administered parenterally (e.g.,
intramuscular, subcutaneous, intravenous, or intraarterial administration), and the
dosage can be adequately selected in accordance with an antigen type or other
conditions. A dosage is generally about 0.1 ug to 100 mg, and preferably about 1 jj.g
to 10 mg, in terms of the weight of the gene-based vaccine per kg of the body weight.
Examples of methods involving the use of virus vectors include methods in
which the polynucleotide encoding the above polypeptide is incorporated into the RNA
virus or DNA virus, such as retrovirus, lentivirus, adenovirus, adeno-associated virus,
herpes virus, vaccinia virus, poxvirus, polio virus, or Sindbis virus, and the target animal
is infected therewith. Methods involving the use of retrovirus, adenovirus,
adeno-associated virus, or vaccinia virus are particularly preferable.
[0080]
Examples of other methods include a method in which an expression plasmid is
directly administered into the muscle (the DNA vaccine method), the liposome method,
the Lipofectin method, microinjection, the calcium phosphate method, and
electroporation, with the DNA vaccine method and the liposome method being
particularly preferable.
[0081]
The gene encoding the polypeptide used in the present invention is actually
allowed to function as a pharmaceutical product by the in vivo method in which the
gene is introduced directly into the body or the ex vivo method in which a given cell is
sampled from a target animal, the gene is introduced into the cell ex vivo, and the cell is
then returned into the body (Nikkei Science (the Japanese version of Scientific
American), April 1994, pp. 20-45, Japan; Gekkan Yakuji (the Pharmaceuticals Monthly),
1994, vol. 36, No. 1, pp. 23-48, Japan; Jikken Igaku Zoukan (an extra number of
Experimental Medicine), 1994, vol. 12, No. 15, Japan; and cited documents thereof).
The in vivo method is more preferable.
[0082]
When a pharmaceutical agent is administered via the in vivo method, the agent
can be administered through an adequate route in accordance with diseases, symptoms,
and ohter conditions of the target of treatment. For example, administration can be
carried out intravenously, intraarterially, subcutaneously, or intramuscularily. When
the agent is administered via the in vivo method, for example, the agent can be in the
form of a liquid drug. In general, the agent is in the form of an injection preparation
containing DNA encoding the peptide of the present invention as an active ingredient,
and common carriers may be added according to need. Also, the liposome or
membrane fusion liposome (e.g., hemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ)-liposome)
comprising the DNA can be in the form of a liposome preparation such as a suspension,
cryogen, or cryogen condensed by centrifugation.
[0083]
In the present invention, the term "the nucleotide sequence shown by SEQ ID
NO: 1" refers not only to the nucleotide sequence that is actually shown by SEQ ID NO:
1 but also a sequence complementary thereto. Accordingly, the term "a polynucleotide
having the nucleotide sequence shown by SEQ ID NO: 1" refers to a single-stranded
polynucleotide having the nucleotide sequence that is actually shown by SEQ ID NO: 1,
a single-stranded polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence complementary
thereto, and a double-stranded polynucleotide comprised of such single-stranded
polynucleotides. When preparing a polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide used in
the present invention, an adequate nucleotide sequence is to be selected. A person
skilled in the art would readily select such adequate sequence.
Examples
[0084]
Hereafter, the present invention is described in greater detail with reference to
the Examples, although the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the
concrete examples below.
[0085]
Example 1: Acquisition of novel cancer antigen protein by the SEREX method
(1) Preparation of cDNA library
Total RNA was extracted from the testicular tissue of a healthy dog by the acid
guanidium-phenol-chloroform method, and poly(A) RNA was purified with the use of
the Oligotex-dT30 mRNA purification Kit (Takara Shuzo Co., Ltd.) in accordance with
the protocols included in the kit.
[0086]
The canine testis cDNA phage library was synthesized using the obtained
mRNA (5 ug). The cDNA phage library was prepared using the cDNA Synthesis Kit,
theZAP-cDNA Synthesis Kit, and the ZAP-cDNA Gigapacklll Gold Cloning Kit
(STRATAGENE) in accordance with the protocols included in the kits. The size of
the prepared cDNA phage library was 7.73 x 105 pfu/ml.
[0087]
(2) Screening of cDNA library with the use of serum
Immunoscreening was carried out using the canine testis cDNA phage library
prepared above. Specifically, host E. coli cells (XLl-Blue MRF') was infected with
the phage library in 2,210 clones per a NZY agarose plate (
Documents
Orders
Section
Controller
Decision Date
Application Documents
#
Name
Date
1
345-KOLNP-2011-IntimationOfGrant01-06-2022.pdf
2022-06-01
1
abstract-345-kolnp-2011.jpg
2011-10-06
2
345-KOLNP-2011-PatentCertificate01-06-2022.pdf
2022-06-01
2
345-kolnp-2011-sequence listing.pdf
2011-10-06
3
345-KOLNP-2011-Written submissions and relevant documents [23-02-2022(online)].pdf