The present invention contemplates dendritic cell compositions. The dentritic cell compositions employ MHC class-II targeting signals fused to an antigen or fragment thereof to obtain MHC II presentation of the antigen or fragment thereof. In particular, the invention refers to a dendritic cell vaccine comprising dendritic cells expressing a MHC class-II targeting signal fused to an antigen or fragment thereof. Dendritic cell vaccines for the stimulation of an immune response against melanoma-associated antigen are also described.

The present invention contemplates methods for the generation of human antigen-specific T lymphocytes. The methods employ MHC class-II targeting signals fused to an antigen or fragment thereof to obtain MHC class presentation of RNA coded proteins. Accordingly, the present invention concerns expression vectors comprising MHC class-II targeting signal and at least one antigen or fragment thereof and its use for the in vitro generation of antigen-specific T lymphocytes. T cell clones and T cell receptors (TCRs) specific for tumor antigens or viral antigens are also described.

The present invention relates to novel peptides derived from Kita-kyushu lung cancer antigen (CT83), complexes comprising such peptides bound to recombinant MHC molecules, and cells presenting said peptide in complex with MHC molecules. Also provided by the present invention are binding moieties that bind to the peptides and/or complexes of the invention. Such moieties are useful for the development of immunotherapeutic reagents for the treatment of diseases such as cancer.

A composition for inducing an immune response in a mammal, comprises lymphoid cells in which expression of tumor antigens has been chemically induced. The tumor antigens are induced in proliferating normal lymphoid cells, especially during the log phase of proliferation. The proliferation of the normal lymphoid cells is stimulated by normal mature dendritic cells. Most conveniently, the lymphoid cells are lymphocytes, especially peripheral blood lymphocytes. The tumor antigens are typically cancer/testis antigens, which may be chemically induced by DNA demethylation. Cancer/testis antigens are expressed in a wide range of tumors, so the composition is able to raise an immune response that is effective against a wide range of tumors, despite the fact that it is derived from normal cells. The composition may be used for preparation of an anti-tumor vaccine for prophylactic or therapeutic use. The composition may also be used for ex vivo activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes, followed by expansion of the cytotoxic T lymphocyte population by normal dendritic cells, for cancer treatment by adoptive T cell immunotherapy.

The present invention encompasses methods and compositions for the generation and use of cytotoxic T lymphocytes that target multiple viruses or that are specific for multiple tumor antigens. In specific embodiments, the generation methods employ use of certain cytokines to promote proliferation and reduce cell death in an activated T cell population and/or that employ a particular bioreactor having a gas permeable membrane.

A composition for inducing an immune response in a mammal, comprises lymphoid cells in which expression of tumor antigens has been chemically induced. The tumor antigens are induced in proliferating normal lymphoid cells, especially during the log phase of proliferation. The proliferation of the normal lymphoid cells is stimulated by normal mature dendritic cells. Most conveniently, the lymphoid cells are lymphocytes, especially peripheral blood lymphocytes. The tumor antigens are typically cancer/testis antigens, which may be chemically induced by DNA demethylation. Cancer/testis antigens are expressed in a wide range of tumors, so the composition is able to raise an immune response that is effective against a wide range of tumors, despite the fact that it is derived from normal cells. The composition may be used for preparation of an anti-tumor vaccine for prophylactic or therapeutic use. The composition may also be used for ex vivo activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes, followed by expansion of the cytotoxic T lymphocyte population by normal dendritic cells, for cancer treatment by adoptive T cell immunotherapy.

Compositions for T cell-based immunotherapy of HIV, HIV-associated malignancies, HIV-associated viral infections, or other HIV-related complications. Modified T cells that are resistant to invasion or infection with HIV, such as T-cells modified to decrease or eliminate expression of mannosyl-oligosacharide glucosidase enzyme (MOGS). Methods for producing such compositions by expanding HIV-specific T cells from different sources to recognize multiple HIV antigens.