Xenoantigen-Displaying Anti-Cancer Vaccines and Method of Making

Abstract

Compositions, methods of making, and methods of using, xenoantigen-displaying anti-cancer vaccines are described.

Claims

1. A vaccine composition, comprising: an antigen composition comprising a first lipid moiety, a first linker moiety, and an antigen moiety; a xenoantigen composition comprising a second lipid moiety, a second linker moiety, and a xenoantigen moiety; and at least one liposomal formulation, wherein the antigen composition and the xenoantigen composition are embedded in the liposomal formulation.

2. The vaccine composition of claim 1, wherein the first lipid moiety comprises a Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonist ligand selected from one or more of: TLR2, TLR1, TLR3, TLR4, TLR5, TLR6, TLR7, TLR8, TLR9, TLR10, TLR11, TLR12, TLR13, TLR14, TLR15, and TLR16.

3. The vaccine composition of claim 2, wherein the TLR2 ligand comprises: dipalmitoyl-S-glyceryl-cys-(Pam.sub.2Cys-); dipalmitoyl-S-glyceryl-cys-(Pam.sub.3Cys-); dipalmitoy-S-glyceryl-cys-ser-lys-lys-lys-lys (Pam.sub.2Cys-Ser-(Lys).sub.4) [SEQ ID NO: 2]; tripalmitoyl-S-glyceryl-cys-ser-lys-lys-lys-lys (Pam.sub.3Cys-Ser-(Lys).sub.4) [SEQ ID NO: 3]; or MALP-2 dipalmitoyl-S-glyceryl-cys-gly-asn-asn-asp-glu-ser-asn-ile-ser-phe-lys-glu-lys (Pam.sub.2CGNNDESNISFKEK)] [SEQ ID NO: 4].

4. The vaccine composition of claim 1, wherein the first lipid moiety comprises an alkyne-functionalized Pam.sub.3Cys amide composition (6): ##STR00007##

5. The vaccine composition of claim 1, wherein the antigen moiety comprises: an anti-cancer composition, an anti-bacterial composition, an anti-viral composition, a protein, an isolated DNA, an isolated RNA, an isolated carbohydrate, or an isolated lipid.

6. The vaccine composition of claim 1, wherein the antigen moiety comprises a tumor associated carbohydrate antigen (TACA) that interacts with B-cell receptors.

7. The vaccine composition of claim 6, wherein the TACA comprises: TF, Tn, sialyl Tn (sTn), or sialyl Lewis a (sLe.sup.a) antigens: ##STR00008##

8. The vaccine composition of claim 6, wherein the TACA comprises an autologous or heterologous helper T-cell epitope, wherein the autologous or heterologous helper T-cell epitope comprises a sequence expressed on a tumor cell.

9. The vaccine composition of claim 8, wherein the autologous or heterologous helper T-cell epitope comprises a mucin 1 (MUC1) variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) having one of the following amino acid sequences: PDTRPAPGST(Tn)APPAHGVTSA [SEQ ID NO: 1]; TSAPDTRPAPGSTAPPAHGV [SEQ ID NO: 5]; or TSAPDT(Tn)RPAPGSTAPPAHGV [SEQ ID NO: 6].

10. The vaccine composition of claim 9, wherein the threonine in the sequence GST or PDT is synthetically modified to incorporate -GalNAc-O-Thr (Tn) TACA.

11. The vaccine composition of claim 1, wherein the antigen composition consists essentially of one of compounds 9, 17, or 21: ##STR00009##

12. The vaccine composition of claim 1, wherein the xenoantigen moiety contains a structure comprising: an - or -linked L-rhamnose epitope, a -linked -Gal disaccharide epitope, or an - or -linked Forssman disaccharide epitope: ##STR00010##

13. The vaccine composition of claim 1, wherein the second lipid moiety contains a structure of the Formula IX: ##STR00011##

14. The vaccine composition of claim 1, wherein the second linker is selected from the group consisting of: a chain of C.sub.1-n alkyl, dialkyl substituted aryl C.sub.1-n alkyl, and CH.sub.2CH.sub.2(OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2).sub.n, wherein n is a positive integer.

15. The vaccine composition of claim 1, wherein the second linker comprises a tetraethyleneglycol (TEG) of Formula VIII: ##STR00012##

16. The vaccine composition of claim 1, wherein the first linker comprises a dialkyl-substituted heteroaryl C.sub.1-n alkyl of Formula VI ##STR00013## wherein A is a chain of C.sub.1-n alkyl, dialkyl substituted aryl C.sub.1-n alkyl, or CH.sub.2CH.sub.2(OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2).sub.n, wherein n is a positive integer.

17. The vaccine composition of claim 16, wherein A is a C.sub.1-5 alkyl chain.

18. The vaccine composition of claim 1, wherein the liposomal formulation comprises 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) and cholesterol in a ratio of from about 80:20 to about 70:30, respectively.

19. The vaccine composition of claim 1, wherein: the antigen composition comprises a Pam.sub.3Cys-MUC1 VNTR-TACA conjugate; the second linker moiety comprises a tetraethyleneglycol (TEG) portion; and the xenoantigen moiety comprises - or -linked L-rhamnose.

20. The vaccine composition of claim 1, further including at least one immunologic adjuvant selected from the group consisting of: a saponin, monophosphoryl lipid A, 3-O-deacylated monophosphoryl lipid A, and interleukin 12.

21. An anticancer vaccine composition comprising phospholipid-based liposomes carrying a Tn-MUC1-Pam.sub.3Cys conjugate and rhamnose, wherein the rhamnose is bound to cholesterol by a tetraethylene glycol linker.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0085] The patent or application file may contain one or more drawings executed in color and/or one or more photographs. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) and/or photograph(s) will be provided by the Patent Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.

[0086] FIG. 1: Schematic representation of Fc-Fc receptor interaction in the in vivo generated immune complex and APC leading to enhanced antigen uptake and presentation on MHC I or MHC II (APC=antigen presenting cells, e.g., a dendritic cell).

[0087] FIG. 2: Schematic illustration of a liposomal vaccine composition comprised of: an antigen composition comprised of a first lipid (lipid.sub.a) moiety, a first linker (linker.sub.a) moiety, and an antigen moiety; and, a second lipid (lipid.sub.b) moiety, a second linker (linker.sub.b) moiety, and a xenoantigen moiety; at least one liposome forming lipid; and, optionally, one or more adjuvants.

[0088] FIG. 3: Schematic illustration of a lipid-linked antigen component.

[0089] FIG. 4: Schematic illustration of a dialkyl-substituted heteroaryl C.sub.1-n alkyl component.

[0090] FIG. 5: Schematic illustration of a composition IV reacting with a composition V to form a composition II.

[0091] FIG. 6: Schematic illustration of a linker.sub.a component.

[0092] FIG. 7: Schematic illustration of a lipid-linked xenoantigen component.

[0093] FIG. 8: TEG composition used in a linker.sub.b component.

[0094] FIG. 9: Schematic illustration of a structure contained in a lipid.sub.b portion of a lipid-linked xenoantigen component.

[0095] FIG. 10: Scheme 1: Schematic illustration of synthesis of a L-Rhamnose-TEG-Cholesterol (3).

[0096] FIG. 11: Scheme 2: Schematic illustration of synthesis of an alkyne functionalized Pam.sub.3Cys composition (6).

[0097] FIG. 12: Scheme 3: Schematic illustration of synthesis of a Pam.sub.3Cys-MUC-1 VNTR-TACA conjugate (9) [SEQ ID NOS: 8, 9 and 7], respectively, in order of appearance.

[0098] FIGS. 13A-13C: Size characterization of liposomes at 1/10,000 dilution: FIG. 13ABatch 1 liposomes; FIG. 13BBatch 2 liposomes; and FIG. 13CBatch 3 liposomes.

[0099] FIGS. 14A-14B: Photographs showing size characterization of liposomes: SEM images at 5 kV acceleration voltage. FIG. 14A: Batch 1 liposomes under 50,000 magnification. FIG. 14B: Batch 1 liposomes under 250,000 magnification.

[0100] FIGS. 15A-15C: Fluorescence microscope images with Batch 1 liposomes under 60 magnification. FIG. 15A: Images with control antibodies (antibodies isolated from preimmunization serum) 1st, 2nd and 3rd images: brightfield, FITC and overlay. FIG. 15B: Images with anti-rhamnose antibodies, 1st, 2nd and 3rd images: brightfield, FITC and overlay. FIG. 15C: Images with anti-MUC 1 antibodies, 1st, 2nd and 3rd images: brightfield, FITC and overlay.

[0101] FIG. 16: .sup.1H NMR of (5-Cholesten-3-yloxy)-3n.sup.3.sub.9-trixaundecanyl-2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl--L-Rhamnopyranoside (2).

[0102] FIG. 17: .sup.13C NMR of (5-Cholesten-3-yloxy)-3n.sup.3.sub.9-trixaundecanyl-2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl--L-Rhamnopyranoside (2).

[0103] FIG. 18: .sup.1H-gCosy of (5-Cholesten-3-yloxy)-3n.sup.3.sub.9-trixaundecanyl 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl--L-Rhamnopyranoside (2).

[0104] FIG. 19: HRMS of (5-Cholesten-3-yloxy)-3n.sup.3.sub.9-trixaundecanyl 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl--L-Rhamnopyranoside (2).

[0105] FIG. 20: .sup.1H NMR of (5-Cholesten-3-yloxy)-3n.sup.3.sub.9-trixaundecanyl Rhamnopyranoside (3).

[0106] FIG. 21: .sup.13C NMR of (5-Cholesten-3-yloxy)-3n.sup.3.sub.9-trixaundecanyl Rhamnopyranoside (3).

[0107] FIG. 22: .sup.1H-gCosy of (5-Cholesten-3-yloxy)-3n.sup.3.sub.9-trixaundecanyl Rhamnopyranoside (3).

[0108] FIG. 23: HRMS of (5-Cholesten-3-yloxy)-3n.sup.3.sub.9-trixaundecanyl Rhamnopyranoside (3).

[0109] FIG. 24: .sup.1H NMR of N-Propargyl Pam.sub.2FmocCys Amide Derivative (5).

[0110] FIG. 25: .sup.13C NMR of N-Propargyl Pam.sub.2FmocCys Amide Derivative (5).

[0111] FIG. 26: .sup.1H gCosy of N-Propargyl Pam.sub.2FmocCys Amide Derivative (5).

[0112] FIG. 27: HRMS of N-Propargyl Pam.sub.2FmocCys Amide Derivative (5).

[0113] FIG. 28: .sup.1H NMR of N-Propargyl Pam.sub.3Cys Amide Derivative (6).

[0114] FIG. 29: .sup.13C NMR of N-Propargyl Pam.sub.3Cys Amide Derivative (6).

[0115] FIG. 30: .sup.1H-gCosy of N-Propargyl Pam.sub.3Cys Amide Derivative (6).

[0116] FIG. 31: HRMS of N-Propargyl Pam.sub.3Cys Amide Derivative (6).

[0117] FIG. 32: HR-MALDI-TOF of Glycopeptide Azide (9) [SEQ ID NO:8].

[0118] FIG. 33: HR-MALDI-TOF of Glycopeptide Azide (8) [SEQ ID NO: 10].

[0119] FIG. 34: HR-MALDI-TOF of Lipopeptide (9) [SEQ ID NO:7].

[0120] FIG. 35: Scheme showing synthetic route of 2-Aminoethyle--L-Rhamnopyranoside (13).

[0121] FIG. 36: Anti-Rha Antibody Isotype Titers after 4th Boost with Rha-Ficoll (group A) or Rha-OVA (group B) at 1/5 or 1/500 Serum Dilutions respectively.

[0122] FIG. 37: T-Cell Proliferation in BALB/c mice with MUC1-Tn (10) Peptide in Presence and Absence of Dendritic Cells.

[0123] FIGS. 38A-38: FIG. 38A) T-cell proliferation measured by [.sup.3H]thymidine incorporation in T-cells from mice spleens primed with MUC1-Tn (8) and challenged with Pam.sub.3Cys-MUC1-Tn (9)+Rha liposomes in the presence of anti-Rha antibodies (abs) or control abs [anti Rha(OVA) and anti Rha(Ficoll) abs are the antibodies isolated from the serum of Rha-OVA and Rha-Ficoll immunized mice, respectively]. FIG. 38B) Stepwise immunization plan. Groups A1, A2, B1, and B2 each represent four groups of female BALB/c mice. Stage I: groups A2 and B2 were immunized with Rha-Ficoll/Alum whereas groups A1 and B1 were non-immunized. Stage II: vaccination; groups A1 and A2 vaccinated and boosted with Pam.sub.3Cys-MUC1-Tn liposomes whereas groups B2 and B2 were vaccinated with Pam.sub.3Cys-MUC1-Tn+Rha liposomes.

[0124] FIGS. 39A-39B: FIG. 39A) Group average of anti-Rha antibody titers after fourth boost with Rha-Ficoll/Alum. FIG. 39B) Group average of anti-MUC1-Tn antibody titers after first boost with Pam.sub.3Cys-MUC1-Tn liposomes or Pam.sub.3Cys-MUC1-Tn+Rha liposomes.

[0125] FIG. 40: Anti-MUC1-Tn Antibody Isotype Titers after first boost with Pam.sub.3Cys-MUC1-Tn liposomes or Pam.sub.3Cys-MUC1-Tn+Rha liposomes at 1/50 Serum Dilutions.

[0126] FIGS. 41A-41B: FIG. 41A) Competitive binding of anti-MUC1-Tn antibodies with bound MUC1-Tn in presence of free MUC1-Tn (8). FIG. 41B) Groups average of anti-Tn antibody titer after first boost with Pam.sub.3Cys-MUC1-Tn liposomes or Pam.sub.3Cys-MUC1-Tn+Rha liposomes.

[0127] FIGS. 42A-42B: Binding of anti-MUC1-Tn antibodies to human leukemia U266 cells. FIG. 42A) Second antibody alone and with mouse anti-human MUC1 antibodies; FIG. 42B) with 1/5 dilution of non-immunized mouse serum, and with 1/5 dilution of group B2 mouse serum.

[0128] FIG. 43: .sup.1H NMR of 2-Azidoethyl-2,3,4-Tri-O-acetyl--L-rhamnopyranoside (11).

[0129] FIG. 44: .sup.13C NMR of 2-Azidoethyl-2,3,4-Tri-O-acetyl--L-rhamnopyranoside (11).

[0130] FIG. 45: .sup.1H-gCosy of 2-Azidoethyl-2,3,4-Tri-O-acetyl--L-rhamnopyranoside (11).

[0131] FIG. 46: HRMS of 2-Azidoethyl-2,3,4-Tri-O-acetyl--L-rhamnopyranoside (11).

[0132] FIG. 47: .sup.1H NMR of 2-Azidoethyl -L-rhamnopyranoside (12).

[0133] FIG. 48: .sup.13C NMR of 2-Azidoethyl -L-rhamnopyranoside (12).

[0134] FIG. 49: .sup.1H-gCosy of 2-Azidoethyl -L-rhamnopyranoside (12).

[0135] FIG. 50: HRMS of 2-Azidoethyl -L-rhamnopyranoside (12).

[0136] FIG. 51: ESI MS of 2-Aminoethyl -L-rhamnopyranoside (13).

[0137] FIG. 52: Scheme showing the synthesis of Pam.sub.3Cys-MUC-1 VNTR conjugate (17) [SEQ ID NOS: 11, 11 and 12], respectively, in order of appearance.

[0138] FIG. 53: HRMS (MALDI-TOF) spectrum of peptide (16).

[0139] FIG. 54: HPLC trace of peptide (16).

[0140] FIG. 55: HRMS (MALDI-TOF) spectrum of lipopeptide (17).

[0141] FIG. 56: Synthesis of Pam.sub.3Cys-MUC-1 VNTR conjugate (21) [SEQ ID NOS: 13, 14 15], respectively, in order of appearance.

[0142] FIG. 57: HRMS (MALDI-TOF) of glycopeptide (19).

[0143] FIG. 58: HPLC trace of glycopeptide (19).

[0144] FIG. 59: HRMS (MALDI-TOF) of glycopeptide (20).

[0145] FIG. 60: HRMS (MALDI-TOF) of Pam.sub.3Cys-MUC-1 VNTR conjugate (21).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0146] Throughout this disclosure, various publications, patents and published patent specifications are referenced by an identifying citation. The disclosures of these publications, patents and published patent specifications are hereby incorporated by reference into the present disclosure to more fully describe the state of the art to which this invention pertains.

General Definitions

[0147] The terms a, an, and the include the plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0148] The term antibody broadly refers to monoclonal antibodies (including full length monoclonal antibodies) and antibody fragments that exhibit a desired biological activity. Antibody fragments can comprise a portion of a full length antibody, generally the antigen binding or variable region thereof. Non-limiting examples of antibody fragments include Fab, Fab, and Fv fragments; diabodies; linear antibodies; and single-chain antibody molecules.

[0149] The term monoclonal antibody broadly refers to antibodies that are highly specific, being directed against a single antigenic site.

[0150] The term antibody also broadly includes naturally occurring antibodies (NAs) as well as non-naturally occurring antibodies, including, for example, single chain antibodies, chimeric, bifunctional and humanized antibodies, as well as antigen-binding fragments thereof. For example, such non-naturally occurring antibodies can be constructed using solid phase peptide synthesis, can be produced recombinantly or can be obtained, for example, by screening combinatorial libraries consisting of variable heavy chains and variable light chains.

[0151] The term subject/s generally refers to any animal that generates an adaptive immune response and can include mammals, birds and reptiles. Examples of subjects can include, but are not limited to, humans, non-human primates, dogs, cats, horses, cows, goats, guinea pigs, mice, rats and rabbits, as well as any other domestic or commercially valuable animal.

[0152] The term/s nucleic acid/s generally encompass both RNA and DNA, including cDNA, genomic DNA, mRNA, synthetic (e.g., chemically synthesized) DNA and chimeras of RNA and DNA. The nucleic acid can be double-stranded or single-stranded. Where single-stranded, the nucleic acid can be a sense strand or an antisense strand. The nucleic acid can be synthesized using oligonucleotide analogs or derivatives (e.g., inosine or phosphorothioate nucleotides). Such oligonucleotides can be used, for example, to prepare nucleic acids that have altered base-pairing abilities or increased resistance to nucleases.

[0153] It is to be further understood that the term C.sub.1-n alkyl can be any linear or branched alkyl group containing 1 to n carbon atoms. For example, the termC.sub.1-6 alkyl can comprise groups such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, isopentyl (3-methylbutyl), neopentyl (2,2-dimethylpropyl), hexyl, isohexyl (4-methylpentyl) and the like.

[0154] The term C.sub.2-n alkyl is to be understood to mean any linear or branched alkyl group containing 2 to n carbon atoms. For example, the term C.sub.2-6 alkyl can comprise groups such as ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, isopentyl (3-methylbutyl), neopentyl (2,2-dimethylpropyl), hexyl, isohexyl (4-methylpentyl) and the like.

[0155] The term dialkyl-substituted aryl C.sub.1-n alkyl is to be understood to mean an aryl group substituted at two positions wherein the substituents are composed of a C.sub.1-n alkyl group, as defined above. The aryl group may be optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, C.sub.1-2 alkoxy and halogen. Examples of dialkyl-substituted aryl C.sub.1-n alkyl groups include, but are not limited to:

##STR00001##

[0156] The term dialkyl-substituted heteroaryl C.sub.1-n alkyl is to be understood to mean a heteroaryl group substituted at two positions wherein the substituents are composed of a C.sub.1-n alkyl group, as defined above. The aryl group may be optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, C.sub.1-2 alkoxy and halogen. Examples of substituted heteroaryl C.sub.1-n alkyl groups include, but are not limited to:

##STR00002##

[0157] Accordingly, the term xenoantigen is to be understood to mean at least one foreign antigen capable of binding natural antibodies. Examples of xenoantigens include, but are not limited to, the -gal epitope, L-Rha, and the Forssman disaccharide.

[0158] The term peptide may be any peptide comprising natural or non-natural amino acids; and if chiral, in its L or D configurations or as racemate. Examples of non-natural amino acids include, but are not limited to: homocysteine, homoarginine, cylcohexylalanine, ornithine, and C.sup. -dibenzylglycine.

[0159] As used herein, the term lipid is defined to include any of a broad range of substances that is characteristically insoluble in water and extractable with an organic solvent. This broad class of compounds is known to those of skill in the art, and as the term lipid is used herein, it is not limited to any particular structure. Examples include compounds which contain long-chain aliphatic hydrocarbons and their derivatives. A lipid may be naturally occurring or synthetic (i.e., designed or produced by man). Biological lipids are well known in the art and include, for example, neutral fats, phospholipids, phosphoglycerides, steroids, terpenes, lysolipids, glycosphingolipids, glycolipids, sulphatides, lipids with ether and ester-linked fatty acids and polymerizable lipids, and combinations thereof. Of course, compounds other than those specifically described herein that are understood by one of skill in the art as lipids are also encompassed by the compositions and methods described herein.

[0160] General Description

[0161] In a first broad aspect, there is provided herein a composition having xenoantigen that is incorporated onto a target antigen.

[0162] In another broad aspect, there is provided herein a vaccine composition comprising a lipid-linked antigen in non-covalent association with a lipid-linked xenoantigen, where both the lipid-linked antigen and the lipid-linked xenoantigen are independently embedded in liposomes in a liposomal formulation.

[0163] In another broad aspect, there is provided herein tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens (TACAs) that are on the heavily glycosylated glycoprotein mucin 1 (MUC1).

[0164] In another aspect, the tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens (TACAs) that are on the heavily glycosylated glycoprotein mucin 1 (MUC1) are useful as targets for anticancer active immunotherapy.

[0165] In another aspect, there is provided herein the non-covalent association of the L-Rhamnose xenoantigen in a liposome with the other components of a vaccine independently embedded in the liposome. This non-covalent association eliminates the need to chemically synthesize a complex xenoantigen-antigen conjugate molecule.

[0166] The peptide sequences described herein act as an autologous helper T-cell epitope. The use of foreign carrier proteins and peptides as conjugates provide helper T-cell epitopes unrelated to the tumor and act as heterologous helper T-cell epitopes.

[0167] In one embodiment, the MUC1 sequence described herein is shown to be a potent candidate for generating antibodies.

[0168] The glycoconjugates on the surface of cancer cells are expressed in abnormal quantities and show modifications in the structure of the carbohydrate moieties linked to the peptide or lipid components of the conjugates. These aberrant carbohydrate epitopes are specifically known as tumor associated carbohydrate antigens (TACAs). TACAs demonstrate potential as markers for cancer detection and disease progression and therefore are under intense investigation for their role in the development of anti-cancer vaccines.

[0169] The TACAs found on the heavily glycosylated glycoprotein mucin 1 (MUC1) are useful targets for anticancer active immunotherapy. In most cancers of epithelial origin, e.g., breast, colorectal, and prostate, this glycoprotein becomes highly over expressed and loses its apical distribution, becoming expressed over the entire cell surface. In the transformed state, the glycan chains of MUC1 are typically shorter and show increased sialylation relative to normal. A number of TACAs have been identified from MUC1. TACAs includes TF, Tn, STn, sLe.sup.a antigens:

##STR00003##

[0170] In certain embodiments, the above TACAs (which are found on tumor cells) are useful as the B-cell epitopes in the design of the vaccines described herein.

[0171] The MUC1 glycoprotein is also shed into the serum and is a tumor marker for cancer. For example, patients possessing naturally occurring anti-MUC1 antibodies demonstrate better disease-specific survival. It is believed that anti-MUC1 antibodies control hematogenous tumor dissemination and outgrowth. It is also now believed that that TACAs present on MUC1 variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) domain may help to break the immune system's self tolerance to MUC1, at least in human MUC1-expressing transgenic mice while unglycosylated human MUC1 VNTRs generated a weaker immune response. While not wishing to be bound by theory, it is now also believed that this is because the glycopeptide is possibly seen by the immune system as a more foreign epitope in comparison to the unglycosylated MUC1 which is more self-like.

[0172] Xenoantigens:

[0173] Many carbohydrate antigens are not highly immunogenic. One approach to increasing the immunogenicity of antigens is to target the antigens to antigen presenting cells (APCs). The effectiveness of vaccines can be increased by the incorporation of a xenoantigen. For example, the xenoantigen Gal1-3Gal1 (Gal) can be used as an in vivo generated immune complex between the Gal epitopes and the natural antibodies (NA) against Gal in serum. The Fc portion on this immune complex is recognized by the Fc receptors on the APCs, thereby leading to the overall internalization of the antigen facilitating presentation by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) on APCs. NA can also enhance uptake by APCs using other receptors such as complement receptors. Also, there are a variety of NAs that can bind antigens, including autoantigens, normally present in the blood.

[0174] The NAs, which can be of the IgM, IgG, or IgA isotype in humans, exhibit specific binding to a variety of different antigens, including proteins, DNA, numerous neutral and anionic phospholipids, carbohydrates, and a variety of other lipids, including neutral and anionic glyco-lipids, cholesterol, and squalene. For example, a large fraction of NAs-to-phospholipid is circulating in vivo as immune complexes to phospholipids. Thus, not only can the xenoantigens complex NAs, but also the lipids and phospholipids present in liposomes can complex NAs as well.

[0175] In addition, there are other, and highly abundant, anti-carbohydrate NAs in human serum. The most abundant NA detectable was specific for -linked L-rhamnose (L-Rha) with the fourth most abundant being against -linked L-Rha; for example:

##STR00004##

[0176] Antibodies against both / L-Rha are more prevalent than those against -Gal.

[0177] In one aspect, there is described herein a method where the incorporation of /-linked L-Rha epitopes into vaccines (by direct conjugation or by non-covalent association with liposomal vaccine formulations) increases immunogenicity by NA-dependant antigen uptake mechanism.

[0178] In another aspect, there is described herein a vaccine composition that incorporates the non-covalent association of the L-Rha xenoantigen in a liposome with one or more other components of the vaccine composition that are independently embedded in the liposome. This incorporation eliminates the need to chemically synthesize a complex xenoantigen-antigen conjugate molecule. Thus, any lipidated antigen can be introduced into the vaccine composition. One non-limiting example is the L-Rha motif which binds anti-L-Rha NAs.

[0179] The Fc portion of the NA of an in vivo generated immune complex is recognized by the Fc receptors located on the surface of the APCs or by complement and complement receptors, thereby leading to the better internalization of the vaccine.

[0180] Also, the T-cell proliferation is enhanced when the antigen and xenoantigen are co-localized on a liposome in the presence of APCs and anti L-Rha antibodies.

[0181] In one embodiment described herein, the xenoantigen is conjugated to a lipid (such as cholesterol) by means of a linker (such as tetraethylene glycol (TEG)), which allows the xenoantigen to be displayed on the surface of the liposome along with the lipidated-tumor, bacterial or viral antigen.

[0182] In such embodiments, the linker between the xenoantigen and the cholesterol lipid allows for a xenoantigen-NA binding interaction.

[0183] Antigens:

[0184] For the development of a vaccine (e.g., an anti-cancer vaccine, an anti-viral vaccine, or an anti-bacterial vaccine), an antigen is required. Broadly, an antigen is defined as an entity or foreign molecule that, when introduced into the body, triggers the production of an antibody by the immune system. The term antigen also refers to any molecule or molecular fragment that can be bound by a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and presented to a T-cell receptor.

[0185] Tumors of epithelial origin provide a variety of TACAs that can act as antigens by interacting with B-cell receptors. These include TACAs identified on the glycoproteins and glycolipids that decorate the cancer cells. Non-limiting examples of TACAs include: the TF, Tn, sialyl Tn (sTn) and sialyl Lewis a (sLe.sup.a) antigens, whose structures are shown above. These structures as well as many other TACAs can produce a considerable humoral immune response.

[0186] In addition, peptides and glycopeptides can interact with B-cell receptors to produce antibodies.

[0187] One of the major disadvantages of using TACAs alone as cancer vaccines, however, is their weak immunogenicity. Generation of high amounts of high affinity IgG antibodies against the cancer antigen depends upon the combined interaction of the B-cells and the helper T-cells, and therefore requires the vaccine to contain a peptide epitope which can be displayed on the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class-II or class-I molecules that are present on the surface of APCs, such as DCs. In general, TACAs alone cannot activate the helper T-cells, resulting in poor immunogenicity. Previous efforts to counteract this problem involved the conjugation of TACAs to large carrier proteins like keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), bovine serum albumin (BSA), TLR agonists and zwitterionic polysaccharides. However, one drawback to the protein conjugation strategy is that the major immune response is towards the carrier protein, thus resulting in a suppressed immune response for the cancer antigen.

[0188] The protein conjugates provide the peptide sequences, which protein sequences can then be displayed as helper T-cell epitopes on MHC class-II molecules. The resulting complexes activate CD4.sup.+ helper T-cells which then interact with antibody-producing B-cells allowing the B-cells to produce higher affinity antibodies.

[0189] For example, smaller 20-amino acid peptides which can bind MHC class-II can be conjugated to TACAs. These conjugates can produce high amounts of high affinity IgG anti-TACA antibodies. This strategy provides an advantage over the use of large carrier proteins as helper T-cell epitope, as the immune system can now focus more resources on the available TACA antigens rather than producing antibodies to the carrier protein.

[0190] In one aspect, the use of peptide sequences acts as an autologous helper T-cell epitope. Such autologous helper T-cell epitopes can be sequences expressed on the tumor. The use of foreign carrier proteins and peptides as conjugates thus provide helper-T cell epitopes unrelated to the tumor, and thus act as heterologous helper T-cell epitopes.

[0191] One non-limiting example of an autologous helper T-epitope is the MUC1 VNTR consisting of the 20 amino acid sequence PDTRPAPGST(Tn)APPAHGVTSA [SEQ ID NO: 1]. In a particular example, the threonine in the sequence GST is synthetically modified to incorporate the -GalNAc-O-Thr (Tn) TACA. This region in the MUC1 sequence is a more potent candidate for generating high antibody titers against Tn than the unglycosylated MUC1 VNTR.

[0192] Lipid Attachment to Antigen

[0193] Glycopeptides formed by the conjugation of B-cell epitopes and helper T-cell epitopes often show moderate immunogenicity. A major reason for such moderate immunogenicity is the inappropriate maturation of the DCs.

[0194] Described herein is a method which overcomes this problem, where a lipid component is incorporated into a vaccine capable of imparting self adjuvanating properties. Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists interact with TLRs to facilitate the maturation of dendritic cells. The maturation of the dendritic cells can be achieved by the involvement of a variety of TLR subclasses, as for example: TLR1, TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, TLR5, TLR6, TLR7, TLR8, TLR9, TLR10, TLR11, TLR12, TLR13, TLR14, TLR15 and TLR16.

[0195] Non-limiting examples of TLR2 interactive lipopeptides include: dipalmitoyl-S-glyceryl-cys-(Pam.sub.2Cys); tripalmitoyl-S-glyceryl-cys-(Pam.sub.3Cys-); dipalmitoyl-S-glyceryl-cys-ser-lys-lys-lys-lys (Pam.sub.2Cys-Ser-(Lys).sub.4) [SEQ ID NO: 2], tripalmitoyl-S-glyceryl-cys-ser-lys-lys-lys-lys (Pam.sub.3Cys-Ser-(Lys).sub.4) [SEQ ID NO: 3], and MALP-2 dipalmitoyl-S-glyceryl-cys-gly-asn-asn-asp-glu-ser-asn-ile-ser-phe-lys-glu-lys (Pam.sub.2CGNNDESNISFKEK)] [SEQ ID NO: 4].

[0196] Non-limiting examples of palmitoylated lipids [SEQ ID NOS: 3, 2 and 4], respectively, in order of appearance, that may interact with TLR2 thus include:

##STR00005##

[0197] Pam.sub.2Cys-Ser-(Lys).sub.4 [SEQ ID NO:2], for example, acts as TLR2/TLR6 agonists, while Pam.sub.3Cys-Ser-(Lys).sub.4 [SEQ ID NO:3] acts as a TLR2/1 agonist. Lipopeptide MALP-2 acts a TLR2/6 ligand. Tripalmitoyl-S-glyceryl-cys (Pam.sub.3Cys), and dipalmitoyl-S-glyceryl-cys (Pam.sub.2Cys), are minimal structural epitopes common to palmitoylated TLR2 ligands.

[0198] Synthesis of Two-Component Vaccine

[0199] Lipid Components

[0200] In certain embodiments, the lipid component of a vaccine composition serves three purposes: first, the lipid component acts as a vaccine adjuvant capable of interacting with Toll-Like receptors; second, the lipid component facilitates the formulation of the glycolipopeptide into liposomes anchoring the glycopeptide epitope to the inner and outer surfaces of the liposomes; and third, the lipidation facilitates cross-presentation of peptide antigens by APCs.

[0201] Xenoantigen Component

[0202] Another aspect is the ability to bind natural antibodies (NAs) specific for a desired target epitope (e.g., the xenoantigen L-Rha epitope). The bound NAs thus facilitate the opsonization of the liposomal vaccine by APCs. Covalent attachment of xenoantigens to lipids through the use of a suitable linker thus facilitates the incorporation of these epitopes into the liposomes.

[0203] Linker Components

[0204] In some embodiments, the xenoantigen is covalently attached to a lipid through the use of a suitable linker. Further, in particular embodiments, the length of the linker between the xenoantigen and lipid can be optimized to achieve a desired xenoantigen-NA interaction. The conjugation of a lipid to the xenoantigen allows for the display of multiple xenoantigens on the surface of the liposomes, thereby facilitating multivalent NA-antibody binding to the liposome.

[0205] The Fc portion of the NA in the in vivo generated immune complex is thus recognized by the Fc receptors on APCs, thereby leading to opsonization of the vaccine by APCs.

[0206] Vaccine Compositions

[0207] In certain embodiments, the composition of the vaccine contains non-covalently associated components: i) a lipid-linked antigen; ii) a composition of lipids capable of forming liposomes; iii) a lipid-linked xenoantigen; and, optionally, iv) one or more independent adjuvant molecules. These components form a well defined liposomal vaccine composition I, as shown in FIG. 2. The lipid-linked antigen is comprised of an antigen linked to a first lipid (also called lipid.sub.a herein). In certain embodiments, the antigen can be a peptide or glycopeptide of 1 to 100 amino acids in length. The antigen may also include a B-cell epitope conjugated to a peptide or glycopeptide sequence that is capable of providing a T-cell epitope. The peptide, glycopeptide, peptide-B-cell, or glycopeptides-B-cell epitope conjugate is linked to lipid.sub.a.

[0208] The generalized composition of the lipid.sub.a-linked antigen component is the structure of composition II, shown in FIG. 3.

[0209] In one embodiment, the antigen contains a glycopeptide having the 20 amino acid sequence PDTRPAPGST(Tn)APPAHGVTSA [SEQ ID NO:1]. The T(Tn) in the sequence is the -GalNAc-O-T (Tn) TACA. In another embodiment, the antigen contains a glycopeptide having the 20 amino acid sequence TSAPDTRPAPGSTAPPAHGV [SEQ ID NO: 5]. In another embodiment, the antigen contains a glycopeptides having the 20 amino acid sequence TSAPDT(Tn)RPAPGSTAPPAHGV [SEQ ID NO: 6]. The T(Tn) in the sequence is the -GalNAc-O-T (Tn) TACA.

[0210] The linker.sub.a component can be: a chain of C.sub.2-n alkyl, dialkyl-substituted aryl C.sub.1-n alkyl, dialkyl-substituted heteroaryl C.sub.1-n alkyl, or CH.sub.2CH.sub.2(OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2).sub.n, where n is a positive integer. In one embodiment, the linker.sub.a component comprises a dialkyl-substituted heteroaryl C.sub.1-n alkyl of formula III, as shown in FIG. 4. In certain embodiments, the lipid.sub.a portion of the formula III contains a lipid of one of the following structures: Pam.sub.2Cys-Ser-(Lys).sub.4, Pam.sub.3Cys-Ser-(Lys).sub.4, MALP-2, Pam.sub.3Cys, or Pam.sub.2Cys. In particular embodiments, the first lipid (lipid.sub.a) component of the formula III can contain a lipid having the structure Pam.sub.3Cys, or the structure Pam.sub.2Cys.

[0211] Synthesis of Toll-Receptor Ligands

[0212] Another aspect is the synthesis of a composition IV (shown in FIG. 5) which, when reacted with an appropriate catalyst in the presence of a modified peptide antigen of composition V, forms a composition of composition II.

[0213] In certain embodiments, the lipid.sub.a moiety of the composition IV can be a structure of the Formulae [SEQ ID NOS: 3, 2 and 4], respectively, in order of appearance:

##STR00006##

[0214] Referring again to FIG. 5 and the composition V, the A group therein represents a linker. In certain embodiments, the linker can be comprised of: a chain of C.sub.1-n alkyl, dialkyl substituted aryl C.sub.1-n alkyl, or CH.sub.2CH.sub.2(OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2).sub.n; n is a positive integer. In a particular embodiment, A comprises a C.sub.1-5 alkyl chain.

[0215] Further, in composition V, the antigen moiety can be a peptide or glycopeptide that is covalently bonded at the N-terminus to a carbonyl group on the linker, thus forming an amide bond. In a particular embodiment, the antigen contains a glycopeptide having a 20 amino acid sequence PDTRPAPGST(Tn)APPAHGVTSA [SEQ ID NO:1], where the T(Tn) in the sequence GSTA is the -GalNAc-O-Thr TACA. In another embodiment, the antigen contains a glycopeptide having the 20 amino acid sequence TSAPDTRPAPGSTAPPAHGV [SEQ ID NO: 5]. In another embodiment, the antigen contains a glycopeptide having the 20 amino acid sequence TSAPDT(Tn)RPAPGSTAPPAHGV [SEQ ID NO: 6]. The T(Tn) in the sequence is the -GalNAc-O-T (Tn) TACA.

[0216] Upon reaction of composition IV with composition V in the presence of an appropriate catalyst, a composition II is formed. In certain embodiments, the linker.sub.a moiety can be a dialkyl-substituted heteroaryl C.sub.1-n alkyl of formula VI, as shown in FIG. 6.

[0217] In formula VI, the A group can be a linker comprised of: a chain of C.sub.1-n alkyl, dialkyl substituted aryl C.sub.1-n alkyl, or CH.sub.2CH.sub.2(OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2).sub.n; n is a positive integer. In a particular embodiment, the A group comprises a C.sub.1-5 alkyl chain.

[0218] Referring now to FIG. 7, the lipid-linked xenoantigen can be a xenoantigen linked to a lipid. The xenoantigen can be any structure which binds NAs. The xenoantigen is linked to a second lipid (lipid.sub.b) through a second linker (linker.sub.b). The generalized composition of the lipid-linked xenoantigen component is structure of composition VII as shown in FIG. 7.

[0219] In one embodiment, the xenoantigen contains a structure comprised of: alpha- or beta-linked L-rhamnose, a beta-linked alpha-gal epitope, or an alpha- or beta-linked Forssmann disaccharide epitope. In a particular embodiment, the xenoantigen contains a structure consisting of alpha- or beta-linked L-rhamnose.

[0220] The linker.sub.b component can be comprised of: a chain of C.sub.1-n alkyl, dialkyl substituted aryl C.sub.1-n alkyl, or CH.sub.2CH.sub.2(OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2).sub.n; where n is a positive integer. In a particular embodiment, the linker.sub.b component has a tetraethyleneglycol (TEG) of formula VIII, as shown in FIG. 8.

[0221] In a particular embodiment, the lipid.sub.b portion can contain a structure of the formula IX, as shown in FIG. 9. In one particular embodiment, the liposomal forming lipids can be comprised of 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) and cholesterol in a ratio of from about 80:20 to about 70:30, respectively.

[0222] It is to be understood that, in certain embodiments, an immunologic adjuvant may or may not be included as part of the composition of the vaccine. For example, in certain embodiments, the immunologic adjuvants may be, but are not limited to: a saponin (e.g., QS21), monophosphoryl lipid A, 3-O-deacylated monophosphoryl lipid A, or interleukin 12.

[0223] Pharmaceutical Preparations

[0224] Pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention comprise an effective amount of a compound(s) or composition(s) disclosed herein, and/or additional agents, dissolved or dispersed in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The phrases pharmaceutical or pharmacologically acceptable refers to molecular entities and compositions that produce no adverse, allergic or other untoward reaction when administered to an animal, such as, for example, a human. The preparation of a pharmaceutical composition that contains at least one compound or additional active ingredient will be known to those of skill in the art in light of the present disclosure, as exemplified by Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2003, incorporated herein by reference. Moreover, for animal (e.g., human) administration, it will be understood that preparations should meet sterility, pyrogenicity, general safety and purity standards as required by FDA Office of Biological Standards.

[0225] A vaccine composition disclosed herein may comprise different types of carriers depending on whether it is to be administered in solid, liquid or aerosol form, and whether it need to be sterile for such routes of administration as injection. Vaccine compositions disclosed herein can be administered intravenously, intradermally, transdermally, intrathecally, intraarterially, intraperitoneally, intranasally, intravaginally, intrarectally, topically, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, mucosally, in utero, orally, topically, locally, via inhalation (e.g., aerosol inhalation), by injection, by infusion, by continuous infusion, by localized perfusion bathing target cells directly, via a catheter, via a lavage, in cremes, in lipid compositions (e.g., liposomes), or by other method or any combination of the forgoing as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art (see, for example, Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2003, incorporated herein by reference).

[0226] The actual dosage amount of a composition disclosed herein administered to an animal or human patient can be determined by physical and physiological factors such as body weight, severity of condition, the type of disease being treated, previous or concurrent therapeutic interventions, idiopathy of the patient and on the route of administration. Depending upon the dosage and the route of administration, the number of administrations of a preferred dosage and/or an effective amount may vary according to the response of the subject. The practitioner responsible for administration will, in any event, determine the concentration of active ingredient(s) in a composition and appropriate dose(s) for the individual subject.

[0227] In certain embodiments, pharmaceutical compositions may comprise, for example, at least about 0.1% of an active compound. In other embodiments, an active compound may comprise between about 2% to about 75% of the weight of the unit, or between about 25% to about 60%, for example, and any range derivable therein. Naturally, the amount of active compound(s) in each therapeutically useful composition may be prepared is such a way that a suitable dosage will be obtained in any given unit dose of the compound. Factors such as solubility, bioavailability, biological half-life, route of administration, product shelf life, as well as other pharmacological considerations will be contemplated by one skilled in the art of preparing such pharmaceutical formulations, and as such, a variety of dosages and treatment regimens may be desirable.

[0228] In other non-limiting examples, a dose may also comprise from about 1 microgram/kg/body weight, about 5 microgram/kg/body weight, about 10 microgram/kg/body weight, about 50 microgram/kg/body weight, about 100 microgram/kg/body weight, about 200 microgram/kg/body weight, about 350 microgram/kg/body weight, about 500 microgram/kg/body weight, about 1 milligram/kg/body weight, about 5 milligram/kg/body weight, about 10 milligram/kg/body weight, about 50 milligram/kg/body weight, about 100 milligram/kg/body weight, about 200 milligram/kg/body weight, about 350 milligram/kg/body weight, about 500 milligram/kg/body weight, to about 1000 mg/kg/body weight or more per administration, and any range derivable therein. In non-limiting examples of a derivable range from the numbers listed herein, a range of about 5 mg/kg/body weight to about 100 mg/kg/body weight, about 5 microgram/kg/body weight to about 500 milligram/kg/body weight, etc., can be administered, based on the numbers described above.

[0229] In certain embodiments, a vaccine composition herein and/or additional agents is formulated to be administered via an alimentary route Alimentary routes include all possible routes of administration in which the composition is in direct contact with the alimentary tract. Specifically, the pharmaceutical compositions disclosed herein may be administered orally, buccally, rectally, or sublingually. As such, these compositions may be formulated with an inert diluent or with an assimilable edible carrier, or they may be enclosed in hard- or soft-shell gelatin capsules, or they may be compressed into tablets, or they may be incorporated directly with the food of the diet.

[0230] In further embodiments, a vaccine composition described herein may be administered via a parenteral route. As used herein, the term parenteral includes routes that bypass the alimentary tract. Specifically, the pharmaceutical compositions disclosed herein may be administered, for example but not limited to, intravenously, intradermally, intramuscularly, intraarterially, intrathecally, subcutaneous, or intraperitoneally (U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,753,514, 6,613,308, 5,466,468, 5,543,158; 5,641,515; and 5,399,363 are each specifically incorporated herein by reference in their entirety).

[0231] Solutions of the vaccine compositions disclosed herein as free bases or pharmacologically acceptable salts may be prepared in water suitably mixed with a surfactant, such as hydroxypropylcellulose. Dispersions may also be prepared in glycerol, liquid polyethylene glycols, and mixtures thereof and in oils. Under ordinary conditions of storage and use, these preparations contain a preservative to prevent the growth of microorganisms. The pharmaceutical forms suitable for injectable use include sterile aqueous solutions or dispersions and sterile powders for the extemporaneous preparation of sterile injectable solutions or dispersions (U.S. Pat. No. 5,466,468, specifically incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). In all cases the form must be sterile and must be fluid to the extent that easy injectability exists. It must be stable under the conditions of manufacture and storage and must be preserved against the contaminating action of microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi. The carrier can be a solvent or dispersion medium containing, for example, water, ethanol, polyol (i.e., glycerol, propylene glycol, and liquid polyethylene glycol, and the like), suitable mixtures thereof, and/or vegetable oils. Proper fluidity may be maintained, for example, by the use of a coating, such as lecithin, by the maintenance of the required particle size in the case of dispersion and by the use of surfactants. The prevention of the action of microorganisms can be brought about by various antibacterial and antifungal agents, for example, parabens, chlorobutanol, phenol, sorbic acid, thimerosal, and the like. In many cases, it will be preferable to include isotonic agents, for example, sugars or sodium chloride. Prolonged absorption of the injectable compositions can be brought about by the use in the compositions of agents delaying absorption such as, for example, aluminum monostearate or gelatin.

[0232] For parenteral administration in an aqueous solution, for example, the solution should be suitably buffered if necessary and the liquid diluent first rendered isotonic with sufficient saline or glucose. These particular aqueous solutions are especially suitable for intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, and intraperitoneal administration. In this connection, sterile aqueous media that can be employed will be known to those of skill in the art in light of the present disclosure. For example, one dosage may be dissolved in 1 ml of isotonic NaCl solution and either added to 1000 ml of hypodermoclysis fluid or injected at the proposed site of infusion, (see for example, Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences 15th Edition, pages 1035-1038 and 1570-1580). Some variation in dosage will necessarily occur depending on the condition of the subject being treated. The person responsible for administration will, in any event, determine the appropriate dose for the individual subject. Moreover, for human administration, preparations should meet sterility, pyrogenicity, general safety and purity standards as required by FDA Office of Biologics standards.

[0233] Sterile injectable solutions are prepared by incorporating the vaccine compositions in the required amount in the appropriate solvent with various of the other ingredients enumerated above, as required, followed by filtered sterilization. Generally, dispersions are prepared by incorporating the various sterilized compositions into a sterile vehicle which contains the basic dispersion medium and the required other ingredients from those enumerated above. In the case of sterile powders for the preparation of sterile injectable solutions, some methods of preparation are vacuum-drying and freeze-drying techniques which yield a powder of the active ingredient plus any additional desired ingredient from a previously sterile-filtered solution thereof. A powdered composition is combined with a liquid carrier such as, e.g., water or a saline solution, with or without a stabilizing agent.

[0234] In other embodiments, the vaccine compositions may be formulated for administration via various miscellaneous routes, for example, topical (i.e., transdermal) administration, mucosal administration (intranasal, vaginal, etc.) and/or via inhalation.

[0235] Pharmaceutical compositions for topical administration may include the vaccine compositions formulated for a medicated application such as an ointment, paste, cream or powder. Ointments include all oleaginous, adsorption, emulsion and water-soluble based compositions for topical application, while creams and lotions are those compositions that include an emulsion base only. Topically administered medications may contain a penetration enhancer to facilitate adsorption of the active ingredients through the skin. Suitable penetration enhancers include glycerin, alcohols, alkyl methyl sulfoxides, pyrrolidones and luarocapram. Possible bases for compositions for topical application include polyethylene glycol, lanolin, cold cream and petrolatum as well as any other suitable absorption, emulsion or water-soluble ointment base. Topical preparations may also include emulsifiers, gelling agents, and antimicrobial preservatives as necessary to preserve the vaccine composition and provide for a homogenous mixture. Transdermal administration of the vaccine compositions may also comprise the use of a patch. For example, the patch may supply one or more vaccine compositions at a predetermined rate and in a continuous manner over a fixed period of time.

[0236] In certain embodiments, the vaccine compositions may be delivered by eye drops, intranasal sprays, inhalation, and/or other aerosol delivery vehicles. Methods for delivering compositions directly to the lungs via nasal aerosol sprays has been described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,756,353 and 5,804,212 (each specifically incorporated herein by reference in their entirety). Likewise, the delivery of drugs using intranasal microparticle resins (Takenaga et al., 1998) and lysophosphatidyl-glycerol compounds (U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,871, specifically incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) are also well-known in the pharmaceutical arts and could be employed to deliver the vaccine compositions described herein. Likewise, transmucosal drug delivery in the form of a polytetrafluoroetheylene support matrix is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,780,045 (specifically incorporated herein by reference in its entirety), and could be employed to deliver the vaccine compositions described herein.

[0237] It is further envisioned the vaccine compositions disclosed herein may be delivered via an aerosol. The term aerosol refers to a colloidal system of finely divided solid or liquid particles dispersed in a liquefied or pressurized gas propellant. The typical aerosol for inhalation consists of a suspension of active ingredients in liquid propellant or a mixture of liquid propellant and a suitable solvent. Suitable propellants include hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon ethers. Suitable containers will vary according to the pressure requirements of the propellant. Administration of the aerosol will vary according to subject's age, weight and the severity and response of the symptoms.

EXAMPLES

[0238] The present invention is further defined in the following Examples, in which all parts and percentages are by weight and degrees are Celsius, unless otherwise stated. It should be understood that these Examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only. From the above discussion and these Examples, one skilled in the art can ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention, and without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions. All publications, including patents and non-patent literature, referred to in this specification are expressly incorporated by reference. The following examples are intended to illustrate certain embodiments of the invention and should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the invention as defined in the claims, unless so specified.

[0239] General Methods

[0240] All fine chemicals such as L-rhamnose, cholesterol, p-toluene sulfonyl chloride, copper sulfate, etc., and anhydrous solvents, such as anhydrous methanol, were purchased from Acros Organics. 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) was obtained from Avanti Polar Lipids Inc. (Alabaster, Ala.). Boron trifluoride etherate was obtained from Aldrich. The chemicals were used without further purification. All solvents were obtained from Fisher and used as received except dichloromethane, which was dried and distilled following the standard procedures. Silica (230-400 mesh) for flash column chromatography was obtained from Sorbent Technologies; thin-layer chromatography (TLC) precoated plates were from EMD. TLCs (silica gel 60, f.sub.254) were visualized under UV light or by charring (5% H.sub.2SO.sub.4-MeOH). Flash column chromatography was performed on silica gel (230-400 mesh) using solvents as received.

[0241] .sup.1H NMR was recorded either on a Varian VXRS 400 MHz or an INOVA 600 MHz spectrometer in CDCl.sub.3 or CD.sub.3 OD using residual CHCl.sub.3 and CHD.sub.2OH as internal references, respectively.

[0242] .sup.13C NMR was recorded on a Varian VXRS 100 MHz or an INOVA 150 MHz in CDCl.sub.3 using the triplet centered at 77.23 or CD.sub.3OD using the septet centered at 49.0 as internal reference. High resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) was performed on a TOF mass spectrometer. The peptide was synthesized on a Omega 396 synthesizer (Advanced ChemTech, Louisville, Ky.). Tris [(1-benzyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methyl] amine (TBTA), preloaded Fmoc-L-Ala-Wang resin and all other Fmoc-L-amino acids were procured from Anaspec (San Jose, Calif.). FITC goat anti-mouse IgG/IgM and purified mouse anti-human CD227 (anti-human MUC1) were obtained from BD-biosciences (San Jose, Calif.). Scanning electron microscope imaging was done on a JEOL JSM-7500F field scanning electron microscope. Dynamic light scattering measurements was done DynaPro Titan temperature controlled microsampler (Wyatt Technology Corporation). Fluorescence microscopy was done on a Nikon TiU microscope.

Example 1

Synthesis of L-Rhamnose-TEG-Cholesterol (3)

[0243] Cholesterol tetraethylene glycol (1) was glycosylated with peracetyl L-rhamnose in presence of boron trifluoride etherate to afford peracetyl rhamnose-TEG-cholesterol (2) (32%) which was deacetylated under Zmplen conditions to generate L-rhamnose-TEG-cholesterol (3) (85%). See FIG. 10, illustrating Scheme 1. Compound (3) anchors the Rha epitopes on the surface of the liposomes thereby facilitating anti-Rha antibody binding.

(5-Cholesten-3-yloxy)-3n.SUP.3..SUB.9.-trixaundecanyl-2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl--L-Rhamnopyranoside (2)

[0244] To a solution of 1,2,3,4-tetra-O-acetyl rhamnopyranose (0.64 g, 1.92 mmol) in CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 (3 mL) was added (5-cholesten-3-yloxy)-3n.sup.3.sub.9-trixaundecan-1-ol (1) (1.30 g, 2.30 mmol) in CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 and the mixture was cooled to 0 C. BF.sub.3.OEt.sub.2 (486 mL, 3.84 mmol) was added dropwise to the reaction mixture and the resulting solution was stirred at ambient temperature under N.sub.2 atmosphere. The reaction was monitored by TLC (EtOAc:hexanes=1:1) and appeared complete after 18 h. The reaction mixture was diluted with CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 (25 mL) and washed with saturated NaHCO.sub.3 (25 mL), water (25 mL) and brine (25 mL) after which the organic layer was dried over anhydrous Na.sub.2SO.sub.4. Excess solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue was purified by silica gel flash column chromatography using 30% EtOAc in hexanes as solvent to afford (2) as a light yellow solid (0.51 g, 32%). .sup.1H NMR (600 MHz, CDCl.sub.3): 0.67 (s, 3H, cholesterol), 0.85-1.15 (23H, cholesterol), 1.21 (d, 3H, J=6 Hz, C-5 CH.sub.3), 1.24-1.52 (12H, cholesterol), 1.80-1.95 (5H, cholesterol), 1.98 (s, 3H, COCH.sub.3), 2.05 (s, 3H, COCH.sub.3), 2.15 (s, 3H, COCH.sub.3), 3.17 (m, 1H, OCH-cholesterol), 3.63-3.66 (16H, CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O-TEG), 3.92 (m, 1H, H-5), 4.77 (d, 1H, J=1.8 Hz, H-1), 5.06 (t, 1H, J=10.2 Hz, H-4), 5.26 (dd, 1H, J=1.8, 3.6 Hz, H-2), 5.30 (dd, 1H, J=4.2, 9.9 Hz, H-3), 5.33 (m, 1H, CCH-cholesterol). .sup.13C NMR (100.56 MHz, CDCl.sub.3): 12.04, 17.61, 18.90, 19.58, 20.95, 21.03, 21.14, 21.25, 22.76, 23.02, 24.01, 24.48, 28.21, 28.43, 28.53, 29.90, 32.07, 32.13, 35.97, 36.37, 37.07, 37.42, 39.23, 39.70, 39.96, 42.50, 50.36, 53.63, 56.32, 56.96, 66.46, 67.30, 67.46, 69.30, 70.03, 70.24, 71.35, 79.68, 97.74 (C-1), 121.74 (CC), 141.15 (CC), 170.18 (COCH.sub.3), 170.25 (COCH.sub.3), 170.32 (COCH.sub.3). HRMS [M+Na] m/z: calcd for C.sub.47H.sub.78NaO.sub.12, 857.5391; found, 857.5396.

(5-Cholesten-3-yloxy)-3n.SUP.3..SUB.9.-trixaundecanyl Rhamnopyranoside (3)

[0245] To a solution of (2) (0.45 g, 0.54 mmol) in MeOH (10 mL) was added metallic sodium (0.03 g) and the resulting solution was stirred at ambient temperature under N.sub.2 atmosphere. The reaction was monitored by TLC (5% MeOH in CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2) and appeared complete after 1 h. The solution was neutralized by Amberlite H.sup.+ exchange resin. Excess solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue was purified by silica gel flash column chromatography using 5% MeOH in CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 as solvent to afford (3) as a yellowish white solid (0.32 g, 85%). .sup.1H NMR (600 MHz, CDCl.sub.3): 0.68 (s, 3H, cholesterol), 0.86-1.25 (24H, cholesterol), 1.32 (d, 3H, J=6 Hz, C-5 CH.sub.3), 1.44-1.53 (16H, cholesterol), 2.83 (s, 1H, C-4 OH), 3.08 (d, 1H, J=3 Hz, H-1), 3.20 (m, 1H, OCH-cholesterol), 3.43 (t, 1H, J=9.6 Hz, H-4), 3.62-3.71 (16H, CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O-TEG), 3.73 (m, 1H, H-5), 3.83 (dd, 1H, J=3, 6.9 Hz, H-3), 3.98 (s, 1H, H-2), 4.87 (s, 1H, C-2 OH), 5.31 (s, 1H, C-3 OH), 5.35 (m, 1H, CCH-cholesterol). .sup.13C NMR (100.56 MHz, CDCl.sub.3): 12.07, 17.83, 18.92, 19.60, 21.27, 22.78, 23.04, 24.03, 24.50, 28.23, 28.44 (2), 32.08, 32.15, 35.99, 36.39, 37.06, 37.39, 39.09, 39.73, 39.97, 42.53, 50.36, 56.34, 56.97, 66.74, 67.32, 68.07, 70.48, 70.63, 70.75, 70.81, 70.93, 70.97, 71.05, 71.80, 73.81, 79.87, 99.98 (C-1), 121.96 (CC-cholesterol), 140.98 (CC-cholesterol). HRMS [M+Na] m/z: calcd for C.sub.41H.sub.72NaO.sub.9, 731.5074; found, 731.5090.

Example 2

Synthesis of Alkyne Functionalized Pam.SUB.3.Cys (6)

[0246] O-palmitoylated Fmoc L-cystine tert-butyl ester (4) was deprotected by a brief treatment with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). The free acid was coupled with propargyl amine in the presence of benzotriazol-1-yl-oxytripyrrolidinophosphonium hexafluorophosphate (PyBOP), 1-hydroxy-benzotriazole (HOBt) and N,N-diisopropylethylamine (DIPEA) to yield (5) (66% over 2 steps). Fmoc group in compound (5) was removed by treatment with a mixture of acetonitrile-dichloromethane-diethyl amine (2:1:2) followed by subsequent palmitoylation by coupling with palmitic acid, PyBOP, HOBt and DIPEA to afford our target alkyne functionalized Pam.sub.3Cys amide derivative (6) (80% over 2 steps), as shown in FIG. 11, Scheme 2. Compound (6), which is a TLR-2 agonist, serves the purpose of an immunoadjuvant for a vaccine, and also anchors the MUC1-Tn conjugate on the surface of the liposome.

N-propargyl Pam.SUB.2.FmocCys Amide Derivative (5)

[0247] Pam.sub.2FmocCys tertiary butyl ester (0.30 g, 0.32 mmol) was dissolved in minimum volume of neat TFA (1 mL) and stirred at ambient temperature under N.sub.2 atmosphere. TLC (EtOAc:hexanes=1:4) indicated the completion of the reaction after 1 h. The reaction mixture was evaporated to dryness under vacuum and the residue was dissolved in CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 (3 mL). PyBOP (198 m g, 0.38 mmol), HOBt (58 mg, 0.38 mmol), DIPEA (78 L, 0.47 mmol) and 4 mol. sieves (2-3 beads) were added sequentially and the mixture was stirred for 5 minutes at room temperature followed by the addition of propargyl amine (25 L, 0.38 mmol) and stirred at ambient temperatures under N.sub.2 atmosphere. The reaction was monitored by TLC (EtOAc:hexanes=1:4) and appeared complete after 4 h. The reaction mixture was filtered, washed with phosphate buffer (10 mL) and extracted with CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 (310 mL). The organic layer was dried over anhydrous Na.sub.2SO.sub.4 and concentrated. The residue was purified by silica gel flash column chromatography using EtOAc-hexanes (1:4) as solvent to afford (5) as a white solid (192 mg, 66%). .sup.1H NMR (600 MHz, CDCl.sub.3): 0.87 (t, 6H, J=7.2 Hz, Pam-CH.sub.3), 1.14-1.65 (m, 52H, Pam-CH.sub.2), 1.68 (s, 1H, alkyne-CH), 2.18-2.35 (m, 4H, COCH.sub.2), 2.83 (m, 1H, Cys-CHH), 2.89 (dd, 1H, J=7.2, 14.4 Hz, S-glyceryl-OCHH), 3.01 (dd, 1H, J=6, 14.4 Hz, cys-CHH), 4.06 (dd, 1H, J=3, 4.8 Hz, S-glycerylO-CHH), 4.08 (s, 2H, CONHCH2), 4.18 (dd, 1H, J=6, 11.4 Hz, S-glyceryl-OCHH), 4.23 (t, 1H, J=7.2 Hz, Fmoc-CH), 4.39 (m, 1H, NHCHCO), 4.42 (m, 2H, Fmoc-CH2), 5.12 (m, 1H, S-glyceryl-OCH), 5.73 (d, 1H, J=7.8 Hz, Pam-NH), 6.89 (s, 1H, CONHCH2), 7.31-7.81 (m, 8H, Fmoc-ArH). .sup.13C NMR (150.84 MHz, CDCl3): 14.35-36.70 (30C, Pam-C), 47.29 (2), 53.32, 63.58, 67.48, 70.61, 71.78, 72.07, 79.09, 79.85, 120.22, 125.30, 127.30 (2), 127.97 (2) 141.49, 141.50, 143.85, 143.89 (Aromatic-C), 170.07, 173.66 (2), 174.04 (Cys-CO). HRMS [M+Na] m/z: calcd for C.sub.56H.sub.86N.sub.2NaO.sub.7S, 953.6053. found, 953.6073.

N-propargyl Pam.SUB.3.Cys Amide Derivative (6)

[0248] Composition (5) (192 mg, 0.21 mmol) was dissolved in a mixture of CH.sub.3CNCH.sub.2Cl.sub.2-Et.sub.2NH (2:1:2, 2.50 mL) and stirred at ambient temperature under N.sub.2 atmosphere. TLC (EtOAc:hexanes=1:4) indicated the complete deprotection of the Fmoc group after 2 h. The reaction mixture was evaporated to dryness under vacuum. Palmitic acid (64 mg, 0.25 mmol), PyBOP (128 mg, 0.25 mmol), HOBt (38 mg, 0.25 mmol) were dissolved in CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 (3 mL) followed by the addition of DIPEA (51 L, 0.31 mmol). The mixture was stirred for 5 minutes and added to the residue of the Fmoc deprotected product from compound (5) containing 4 mol. sieves (2-3 beads). The reaction mixture was stirred at ambient temperature under N.sub.2 atmosphere. The reaction was monitored by TLC (EtOAc:hexanes=1:4) and appeared complete after 4 h. The reaction mixture was diluted with CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 (15 mL), filtered and evaporated to dryness. The residue was purified by silica gel flash column chromatography using EtOAC-hexanes (1:4) as solvent to afford (6) as a pale yellow solid (156 mg, 80%). .sup.1H NMR (600 MHz, CDCl.sub.3): 0.88 (t, 12H, J=6.6 Hz, Pam-CH.sub.3), 1.10-1.63 (m, 78H, Pam-CH.sub.2), 2.23 (s, 1H, Alkyne-CH), 2.24-2.36 (m, 6H, COCH.sub.2), 2.71 (dd, 1H, J=7.8, 14.4 Hz, Cys-CHH), 2.86 (m, 6H, COCH.sub.2), 2.95 (dd, 1H, J=6, 14 Hz, Cys-CHH), 4.06 (m, 2H, CONHCH.sub.2), 4.18 (dd, 1H, J=6.6, 12 Hz, S-glyceryl-OCHH), 4.40 (dd, 1H, J=3, 12 Hz, S-glyceryl-OCHH), 4.64 (q, 1H, J=6 Hz, NHCHCO), 5.12 (m, 1H, Sflyceryl-OCH), 6.64 (d, 1H, J=8.4 Hz, Pam-NH), 7.02 (t, 1H, J=5.4 Hz, CONHCH.sub.2). .sup.13C NMR (150.84 MHz, CDCl.sub.3): 14.35-42.19 (48C, Pam-C, Cys-C.sub.R, S-glyceryl-C, NHC), 51.30 (Cys-Ca), 63.65, 70.61, 71.98, 79.08, 170.40 (Cys-CO), 173.70, 173.86, 174.06 (Pam-CO). HRMS [M+Na] m/z: calcd for C.sub.57H.sub.106N.sub.2NaO.sub.6S, 969.7669. found, 969.7682.

Example 3

Synthesis of Pam.SUB.3.Cys-MUC-1 VNTR-TACA Conjugate (9)

[0249] A 20-amino acid tandem repeat of MUC1 which included the GS(-GalNAc-O-T)A epitope was synthesized. The glycopeptide was modified with a terminal azido group in order to make a click conjugation to the Pam.sub.3Cys alkyne. The glycopeptide azide was synthesized by Fmoc strategy on an Omega 396 synthesizer (Advanced ChemTech, Louisville, Ky.) starting from preloaded Fmoc-L-Ala Wang resin using solid-phase chemistry, as shown in FIG. 12, Scheme 3.

[0250] The peptide synthesis was performed by coupling amino acid esters of HOBt using DIC as the coupling agent. A six-fold excess of N.sup.-Fmoc amino acid esters of HOBt in NMP were used in the synthesis. A 1:1 ratio of amino acid to DIC was used in all the coupling reactions. Deprotection of N.sup.-Fmoc group was accomplished by treatment with piperidine in DMF. After the synthesis was complete, the peptide was cleaved from the solid support and deprotected using a modified reagent K cocktail consisting of TFA-thioanisole-ethanedithiol-water-phenol (88:3:5:2:2). The cocktail mixture was filtered through a Quick Snap column, purified by C18 reverse phase HPLC and lyophilized to afford composition (7b).

[0251] The acetyl groups in composition (7b) were deprotected by treatment with 6 mmol sodium methoxide in methanol. The product was purified by Bio-Gel (P-2, fine 45-90 m) size exclusion chromatography using deionized water as solvent. Lyophilization of the fractions afforded composition (8) (100%) as a white powder.

[0252] Conjugation of the composition (8) (1 eqv) with the composition (6) (3 eqv) in the presence of copper sulfate pentahydrate (12 eqv), Tris [(1-benzyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methyl] amine (TBTA) (12 eqv) and sodium ascorbate (12 eqv) in H.sub.2O-MeOH-THF (1:1:2) as solvent at ambient temperatures thus afforded the target, Pam.sub.3Cys-MUC1 VNTR-TACA conjugate (9), after 40 h.

[0253] Composition (9) was purified by LH20 using MeOH-dichloromethane (1:1) as solvent. The eleutants were lyophilized to afford composition (9) as a white solid (100%).

Synthesis of Azide (7b)

[0254] The glycopeptide azide was synthesized by Fmoc strategy on an Omega 396 synthesizer (Advanced ChemTech, Louisville, Ky.) using solid phase chemistry. The peptide synthesis was performed by coupling amino acid esters of HOBt using DIC as the coupling agent starting with a preloaded Fmoc-alanyl-Wang resin. A six-fold excess of N.sup.-Fmoc amino acid esters of HOBt in NMP were used in the synthesis. A 1:1 ratio of amino acid to DIC was used in all the coupling reactions. Deprotection of N.sup.-Fmoc group was accomplished by treatment with 25% piperidine in dimethylformamide twice; first for 5 minutes and then a second time for 25 minutes to afford composition (7a).

[0255] After the synthesis was complete, the peptide was cleaved from the solid support and deprotected using a modified reagent K cocktail consisting of 88% TFA, 3% thioanisole, 5% ethanedithiol, 2% water and 2% phenol. 4 mL of cleavage cocktail was added to the dried peptide-resin in a 15 mL glass vial blanketed with nitrogen. Cleavage was carried out for 2.5 hrs with gentle magnetic stirring. At the end cleavage time, the cocktail mixture was filtered on a Quick-Snap column. The filtrate was collected in 20 mL ice-cold butane ether. The peptide was allowed to precipitate for an hour at 200 C., centrifuged, and washed twice with ice-cold methyl-t-butyl ether. The precipitate was dissolved in 25% acetonitrile and lyophilized to complete dry powder affording composition (7b). Quality of peptides was analyzed by analytical reverse phase HPLC and MALDI-TOF (matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight) mass spectrometer, model 4800 from Applied Biosystems. HR-MALDI-MS: [M+H] m/z calcd for C.sub.100H.sub.155N.sub.29O.sub.37, 2355.1172. found, 2355.1753.

Synthesis of Azide (8)

[0256] Composition (7b) (5 mg, 2.24 mol) was dissolved in 2 mL of dry methanol and 12 L of freshly prepared 1 M sodium methoxide was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at ambient temperature under N.sub.2 atmosphere for 2 h. The reaction mixture was neutralized with solid carbon dioxide. The reaction mixture was concentrated and purified by Bio-Gel (P-2, fine 45-90 m) size exclusion chromatography using deionized water as solvent. Lyophilization of the eleutants afforded composition (8) as a white powder (4.7 mg, 100%). HR-MALDI-MS: [M+H] m/z calcd for C.sub.94H.sub.149N.sub.29O.sub.34, 2229.0895. found 2229.0959.

Synthesis of Glycolipopeptide (9)

[0257] CuSO4.5H.sub.2O (134 g, 0.54 mol) and TBTA (2.14 mg, 4.04 mol) were dissolved in H.sub.2O-THF (1:1, 0.40 mL) and to it Na-ascorbate (0.80 mg, 4.04 mol) was added and stirred for 5 minutes. Composition (6) (1.27 mg, 1.35 mol) in THF (0.40 mL) was added to the reaction mixture and stirred for 15 minutes followed by the addition of a solution of composition (8) (1 mg, 0.45 mol) in H.sub.2O-MeOH (1:3, 0.4 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at ambient temperature under N.sub.2 atmosphere for 40 h. The reaction mixture was concentrated, dissolved in CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2-MeOH (1:1) and purified by a short LH 20 size exclusion column using CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2-MeOH (1:1) as solvent. Lyophilization of the eleutants afforded composition (9) as a white solid (1.9 mg, 100%). HR-MALDI-MS: [M+H] m/z calcd for C.sub.151H.sub.255N.sub.31O.sub.40S, 3175.593. found 3175.425. A mass peak corresponding to a protonated methyl ester of the product was also observed.

Example 4

Synthesis of a Liposomal Vaccine of Composition I and Control Compositions

[0258] The liposomes were formulated by the extrusion method in a total lipid concentration of 30 mM. For the preparation of the liposomes, 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) was used. Lipid stock solutions were prepared by dissolving each lipid into chloroform inside glass vials. Aliquots of the stock solutions were mixed in proportions in another small glass vial to give a solution with a total lipid concentration of 30 mM in a total volume of 2 mL.

[0259] Batch 1: DPPC 80%, Cholesterol 10%, Rha-cholesterol 10% and Pam.sub.3cys-MUC1-Tn (9) 2 nM.

[0260] Batch 2: DPPC 80%, cholesterol 20%, Pam.sub.3cys-MUC1-Tn (9) 2 nM.

[0261] Batch 3: DPPC 80%, cholesterol 20%.

[0262] Chloroform was removed by subjecting the lipid solutions to a constant stream of nitrogen. The resulting lipid films were dried under vacuum overnight. The dried lipid films were hydrated with 2 mL of HEPES buffer (pH=7.4). The suspensions of the lipids in the buffer were agitated at 43 C. for 40 mins. The suspensions were subjected to 10 freeze-thaw cycles (dry ice/acetone and water at 40 C.). Final liposomes were prepared by extrusion (21 times) using a LipoFast Basic fitted with a 100 nm polycarbonate membrane to control the liposome size.

[0263] General Characterization of Liposomal Vaccine of Composition I and Control Compositions

[0264] The homogeneity, stability as well as size characterization of the liposomes were evaluated by scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging (FIGS. 14A-14B) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements (FIGS. 13A-13C).

[0265] All batches of liposomes were found to be stable at 4 C. for 2 days and were around 100 nm in diameter. Antibody binding study showed positive binding of the Batch 1 liposomes with anti-rhamnose antibodies as well as mouse anti-human-MUC1 (CD 227, BD Biosciences, San Jose, Calif.) antibodies using FITC goat anti-mouse IgG/IgM secondary antibodies and fluorescence imaging of the coated liposomes, as shown in FIG. 15.

[0266] The binding assay proved that the L-rhamnose and the MUC1 VNTR-TACA conjugate were displayed on the surface of the liposomes. No such antibody binding (both anti-rhamnose and mouse anti-human-MUC1) were observed for the control Batch 3 liposomes.

[0267] Batch 2 liposomes only demonstrated mouse anti-human-MUC1 antibody binding.

Example 5

Liposome Characterization

[0268] Size Characterization

[0269] Size determination of the liposomes was done by scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements. For SEM characterization the liposome samples were diluted 1000 times with HEPES buffer (pH=7.4) and freeze dried over copper studs fitted with a carbon conducting tape and the images recorded at an acceleration voltage of 5 kV. DLS measurements were done after dilution of the liposome samples 10000 times with HEPES buffer (pH=7.4).

[0270] Anti-Rha and Anti-MUC1 Antibody Binding to Surface Exposed Rha and MUC1 Epitopes on Liposomes

[0271] 10.sup.6 liposomes from each batch in 50 L, 1PBS (pH=7.4) were added separately into a 1.5 mL Eppendrof tube followed by 50 L of primary antibody solution in deionized water containing 5-50 g/mL of antibodies [either control antibodies (isolated from the serum of non-immunized mice) or anti-Rha antibodies or mouse anti-human CD227 antibodies (anti-human MUC1)] and incubated on ice for 30 mins. 1 mL PBS-0.1% Tween was added to each tube and vortexed. Liposomes were spun at 14000 rpm in Eppendorf centrifuge at 4 C. for 5 mins. The supernatants were carefully discarded and the washing and centrifugation steps were repeated 2 more times for a total of 3 washes. Liposomes were then resuspended in 50 L of PBS-0.1% Tween. 50 L of diluted FITC goat anti-mouse IgG/IgM secondary antibody were added (2-30 g/mL) to the tubes, mixed and covered with aluminum foil to protect from light and incubated on ice for 30 mins. After washing 3 times with PBS-0.1% Tween and centrifugation, the supernatants were removed and pellets were resuspended in 1 mL PBS-0.1% Tween. 10 L of the resuspended solutions were put on glass slides and imaged under a fluorescent microscope.

Example 6

[0272] NMR spectra and HRMS data of compositions (2), (3), (5) and (6) are shown in FIG. 16 through FIG. 31.

[0273] FIG. 16: .sup.1H NMR of (5-Cholesten-3-yloxy)-3n.sup.3.sub.9-trixaundecanyl-2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl--L-Rhamnopyranoside (2).

[0274] FIG. 17: .sup.13C NMR of (5-Cholesten-3-yloxy)-3n.sup.3.sub.9-trixaundecanyl-2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl--L-Rhamnopyranoside (2).

[0275] FIG. 18: .sup.1H-gCosy of (5-Cholesten-3-yloxy)-3n.sup.3.sub.9-trixaundecanyl 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl--L-Rhamnopyranoside (2).

[0276] FIG. 19: HRMS of (5-Cholesten-3-yloxy)-3n.sup.3.sub.9-trixaundecanyl 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl--L-Rhamnopyranoside (2).

[0277] FIG. 20: .sup.1H NMR of (5-Cholesten-3-yloxy)-3n.sup.3.sub.9-trixaundecanyl Rhamnopyranoside (3).

[0278] FIG. 21: .sup.13C NMR of (5-Cholesten-3-yloxy)-3n.sup.3.sub.9-trixaundecanyl Rhamnopyranoside (3).

[0279] FIG. 22: .sup.1H-gCosy of (5-Cholesten-3-yloxy)-3n.sup.3.sub.9-trixaundecanyl Rhamnopyranoside (3).

[0280] FIG. 23: HRMS of (5-Cholesten-3-yloxy)-3n.sup.3.sub.9-trixaundecanyl Rhamnopyranoside (3).

[0281] FIG. 24: .sup.1H NMR of N-Propargyl Pam.sub.2FmocCys Amide Derivative (5).

[0282] FIG. 25: .sup.13C NMR of N-Propargyl Pam.sub.2FmocCys Amide Derivative (5).

[0283] FIG. 26: .sup.1H gCosy of N-Propargyl Pam.sub.2FmocCys Amide Derivative (5).

[0284] FIG. 27: HRMS of N-Propargyl Pam.sub.2FmocCys Amide Derivative (5).

[0285] FIG. 28: .sup.1H NMR of N-Propargyl Pam.sub.3Cys Amide Derivative (6).

[0286] FIG. 29: .sup.13C NMR of N-Propargyl Pam.sub.3Cys Amide Derivative (6).

[0287] FIG. 30: .sup.1H-gCosy of N-Propargyl Pam.sub.3Cys Amide Derivative (6).

[0288] FIG. 31: HRMS of N-Propargyl Pam.sub.3Cys Amide Derivative (6).

[0289] The MALDI-TOF spectra data for compositions (7b), (8) and (9) are shown in FIG. 32 through FIG. 34.

[0290] FIG. 32: HR-MALDI-TOF of Glycopeptide Azide (7b).

[0291] FIG. 33: HR-MALDI-TOF of Glycopeptide Azide (8).

[0292] FIG. 34: HR-MALDI-TOF of Lipopeptide (9).

Example 7

2-Azidoethyl-2,3,4-Tri-O-Acetyl--L-Rhamnopyranoside (II)

[0293] To a solution of 1,2,3,4-tetra-O-acetylrhamnopyranoside (10) (2.00 g, 6.02 mmol) in CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 (5.00 mL) were added 2-azidoethanol (0.79 g, 9.03 mmol) and BF.sub.3.OEt.sub.2 (1.53 mL, 12.04 mmol) at 0 C. and the resulting solution was stirred at ambient temperature under N.sub.2 atmosphere. The reaction was monitored by TLC and appeared to be completed after 12 h. The reaction mixture was diluted with CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 (15 mL) and washed with water (220 mL), saturated NaHCO.sub.3 (220 mL) and brine (20 mL), after which the organic layer was dried over anhydrous Na.sub.2SO.sub.4. Excess solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the crude material was purified by silica gel flash column chromatography (3.38.5 cm). Elution with 1:5 EtOAc/hexanes afforded (11) as a colorless solid (1.78 g, 83%). .sup.1H NMR (600 MHz, CDCl.sub.3): 1.24 (d, 3H, J=6.6 Hz, C-5 CH.sub.3), 1.99 (s, 3H, COCH.sub.3), 2.06 (s, 3H, COCH.sub.3), 2.16 (s, 3H, COCH.sub.3), 3.42 (m, 1H, CHHN.sub.3), 3.48 (m, 1H, CHHN.sub.3), 3.64 (m, 1H, OCHH), 3.87 (m, 1H, OCHH), 3.93 (m, 1H, H-5), 4.79 (d, 1H, J=1.8 Hz, H-1), 5.09 (t, 1H, J=10.2 Hz, H-4), 5.27 (dd, 1H, J=1.2, 3.3 Hz, H-2), 5.31 (dd, 1H, J=3.3, 9.9 Hz, H-3). .sup.13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl.sub.3): 17.66 (CH.sub.3), 20.93, 21.03, 21.13, 50.58, 66.91, 66.99, 69.08, 69.87, 71.09, 97.79 (C-1), 170.09 (CO), 170.24 (CO), 170.30 (CO). HRMS [M+Na] m/z: calcd for C.sub.14H.sub.21N.sub.3O.sub.8, 382.1226. found, 382.1215.

2-Azidoethyl--L-Rhamnopyranoside (12)

[0294] To a solution of (11) (1.53 g, 4.26 mmol) in MeOH (5 mL) was added metallic Na (0.01 g) and the resulting solution was stirred at ambient temperature under N.sub.2 atmosphere. The reaction was monitored by TLC and appeared complete after 2 h. Excess solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the crude material was purified by silica gel flash column chromatography (3.38.5 cm). Elution with 2:23 MeOH/CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 yielded (12) as a colorless solid (0.85 g, 86%). .sup.1H NMR (600 MHz, CDCl.sub.3): 1.34 (d, 3H, J=6.6 Hz, C-5 CH.sub.3), 3.41 (m, 2H, CH.sub.2N.sub.3), 3.49 (t, 1H, J=9.3 Hz, H-4), 3.63 (m, 1H, OCHH), 3.69 (m, 1H, H-5), 3.81 (dd, 1H, J=3.3, 9.3 Hz, H-3), 3.89 (m, 1H, OCHH), 3.99 (q, 1H, J=1.6 Hz, H-2), 4.83 (d, 1H, J=1.2 Hz, H-1). .sup.13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl.sub.3): 17.75 (CH.sub.3), 50.71, 66.72, 68.49, 70.98, 71.76, 73.27, 100.02 (C-1). HRMS [M+Na] m/z: calc for C.sub.8H.sub.15N.sub.3O.sub.5, 256.0909. found, 256.0906.

2-Aminoethyl--L-Rhamnopyranoside (13)

[0295] To a solution of (12) (0.42 g, 1.82 mmol) in MeOH (3 mL) was added activated Pd/charcoal (0.025 g) and the resulting solution was stirred at ambient temperature under H.sub.2 atmosphere. The reaction was monitored by TLC and appeared to be complete after 12 h. The reaction mixture was diluted with MeOH (2 mL), filtered through Celite and concentrated under reduced pressure to yield (13) as a colorless gel (0.46 g, quantitative) which was used without further purification for subsequent reactions. ESIMS [M+H] m/z: calcd for C.sub.8H.sub.17NO.sub.5, 208.2243. found, 208.30.

2-Aminoethyl--L-Rhamnopyranoside-Ficoll Conjugate (14)

[0296] Ficoll 400 (1.00 g, 0.0025 mmol) was dissolved in acetate buffer (10 mL, pH 4.7) and NaIO.sub.4 (0.01 g, 0.047 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 2 h in the dark. Excess NaIO.sub.4 was removed by dialysis against the acetate buffer (pH 4.7) through dialysis tubing with a molecular weight cutoff value of 10000 Da with six to seven changes of the buffer at 4 C. The oxidized Ficoll 400 was transferred to a round bottom flask and excess solvent was evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in borate buffer (20 mL, pH 8.0) followed by the addition of (13) (0.05 g, 0.25 mmol) and stirred at ambient temperature for 2 h. To the reaction mixture was added NaBH.sub.3CN (0.094 g, 1.50 mmol) and the resulting solution was incubated overnight at 4 C. The mixture was dialyzed through dialysis tubing with a molecular weight cutoff of 10000 Da with six to seven changes in buffer at 4 C. to afford (14). The epitope ratio of (14) was calculated to be 9.44 (Rha:Ficoll) by hydrolysis of (14) followed by derivatization with 4-amino-N-[2-(diethylamino)ethyl] benzamide (DEAEAB) and comparison of the UV-HPLC peak area with a standard curve obtained from DEAEAB derivative of (12) by the methods described by Dalpathado and coworkers. Briefly, the standard curve was generated by refluxing compound (12) (0.007 g, 0.031 mmol) with 1 M HCl at 100 C. for 4 h and the reaction mixture was evaporated to dryness. The residue was dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (2 mL). DEAEAB (0.011 g, 0.037 mmol) and Et.sub.3N (0.007 mL, 0.046 mmol) were added and the resulting solution was refluxed for 2 h. The reaction mixture was evaporated to dryness and the residue was dissolved in MeOH (2 mL) followed by the addition of NaB(OAc).sub.3H, and the resulting solution refluxed for 8 h. The solution was evaporated to dryness and the residue was dissolved in MeOH (2 mL) and filtered through a syringe filter. Serial dilutions from this stock solution were prepared and the components were separated on a reverse phase HPLC using a C18 column. Water containing 0.1% TFA (A) and 95% ACN/H.sub.2O (B) was used as the mobile phases using a linear gradient (5-20% B in 20 min) at the flow rate of 1 mL/min. Absorbances were recorded at 289 nm. The standard curve was generated by plotting the UV-HPLC peak area against the concentration in mmol of DEAEAB derivative of (12).

[0297] NMR spectra and HRMS data of compositions (11), (12), and (13) are shown in FIG. 43 through FIG. 51.

[0298] FIG. 43: .sup.1H NMR of 2-Azidoethyl-2,3,4-Tri-O-acetyl--L-rhamnopyranoside (11).

[0299] FIG. 44: .sup.13C NMR of 2-Azidoethyl-2,3,4-Tri-O-acetyl--L-rhamnopyranoside (11).

[0300] FIG. 45: .sup.1H-gCosy of 2-Azidoethyl-2,3,4-Tri-O-acetyl--L-rhamnopyranoside (11).

[0301] FIG. 46: HRMS of 2-Azidoethyl-2,3,4-Tri-O-acetyl--L-rhamnopyranoside (11).

[0302] FIG. 47: .sup.1H NMR of 2-Azidoethyl -L-rhamnopyranoside (12).

[0303] FIG. 48: .sup.13C NMR of 2-Azidoethyl -L-rhamnopyranoside (12).

[0304] FIG. 49: .sup.1H-gCosy of 2-Azidoethyl -L-rhamnopyranoside (12).

[0305] FIG. 50: HRMS of 2-Azidoethyl -L-rhamnopyranoside (12).

[0306] FIG. 51: ESI MS of 2-Aminoethyl -L-rhamnopyranoside (13).

Example 8

[0307] A 20-amino acid (TSAPDTRPAPGSTAPPAHGV [SEQ ID NO: 5]) tandem repeat of MUC1 was synthesized. The peptide was modified with a terminal azido group in order to make a click conjugation to the Pam.sub.3Cys alkyne with a terminal azido group. The peptide was synthesized by a Fmoc strategy on an Omega 396 synthesizer (Advanced ChemTech, Louisville, Ky.) starting from preloaded Fmoc-L-Val Wang resin using solid-phase chemistry, as shown in FIG. 52.

[0308] The peptide synthesis was performed by coupling amino acid esters of HOBt using DIC as the coupling agent. A six-fold excess of N.sup.-Fmoc amino acid esters of HOBt in NMP were used in the synthesis. A 1:1 ratio of amino acid to DIC was used in all the coupling reactions. Deprotection of N.sup.-Fmoc group was accomplished by treatment with piperidine in DMF. After the synthesis was complete, the peptide was cleaved from the solid support and deprotected using a modified reagent K cocktail consisting of TFA-thioanisole-ethanedithiol-water-phenol (88:3:5:2:2). The cocktail mixture was filtered through a Quick Snap column, purified by C18 reverse phase HPLC, and lyophilized to afford composition (16) as a white powder.

[0309] Conjugation of the composition (16) (1 eqv) with the composition (6) (3 eqv) in the presence of copper(I) iodide (12 eqv), tris [(1-benzyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methyl] amine (TBTA) (3 eqv), diisopropyl ethyl amine (DIEA) (12 eqv) and sodium ascorbate (12 eqv) in H.sub.2O-THF-DMF (1:1:2) as solvent at 20 C. thus afforded the target, Pam.sub.3Cys-MUC1 VNTR conjugate (17), after 16 h.

[0310] Composition (17) was purified by neutralization by 7.5% citric acid solution followed by extraction with chloroform. Evaporation of the chloroform extract afforded the composition (17) as a white solid.

Synthesis of Azide (16)

[0311] The peptidazide was synthesized by Fmoc strategy on an Omega 396 synthesizer (Advanced ChemTech, Louisville, Ky.) using solid phase chemistry. The peptide synthesis was performed by coupling amino acid esters of HOBt using DIC as the coupling agent starting with a preloaded Fmoc-valinyl-Wang resin. A six-fold excess of N.sup.-Fmoc amino acid esters of HOBt in NMP were used in the synthesis. A 1:1 ratio of amino acid to DIC was used in all the coupling reactions. Deprotection of N.sup.-Fmoc group was accomplished by treatment with 25% piperidine in dimethylformamide twice; first for 5 minutes and then a second time for 25 minutes to afford composition (15).

[0312] After the synthesis was complete, the peptide was cleaved from the solid support and deprotected using a modified reagent K cocktail consisting of 88% TFA, 3% thioanisole, 5% ethanedithiol, 2% water, and 2% phenol. 4 mL of cleavage cocktail was added to the dried peptide-resin in a 15 mL glass vial blanketed with nitrogen. Cleavage was carried out for 2.5 hrs with gentle magnetic stirring. At the end cleavage time, the cocktail mixture was filtered on a Quick-Snap column. The filtrate was collected in 20 mL ice-cold butane ether. The peptide was allowed to precipitate for an hour at 200 C., centrifuged, and washed twice with ice-cold methyl-t-butyl ether. The precipitate was dissolved in 25% acetonitrile and lyophilized to complete dry powder affording composition (16). Quality of peptides was analyzed by analytical reverse phase HPLC and MALDI-TOF (matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight) mass spectrometer, model 4800 from Applied Biosystems. HR-MALDI-MS: [M+H] m/z calcd for C.sub.86H.sub.136N.sub.28O.sub.29, 2026.17. found, 2026.137.

Synthesis of Lipopeptide (17)

[0313] CuI (134 g, 0.54 mol) and TBTA (0.857 mg, 1.62 mol) were dissolved in H.sub.2O-THF (1:1, 0.40 mL) and to it sodium ascorbate (0.80 mg, 4.04 mol) was added and stirred for 5 minutes. Composition (6) (1.27 mg, 1.35 mol) in THF (0.40 mL) was added to the reaction mixture and stirred for 15 minutes followed by the addition of a solution of composition (16) (1 mg, 0.49 mol) in H.sub.2O-DMF (1:3, 0.4 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at 20 C. under N.sub.2 atmosphere for 16 h. The reaction mixture was concentrated, dissolved in CHCl.sub.3, washed with 7.5% aqueous citric acid solution, dried over sodium sulfate, and the solvent was evaporated to afford composition (17) as a white solid (1.47 mg, 100%). HR-MALDI-MS: [M+H] m/z calcd for C.sub.143H.sub.242N.sub.30O.sub.35S, 2972.78. found 2972.828.

[0314] FIGS. 53 and 54 show the HRMS (MALDI-TOF) spectrum and HPLC trace, respectively, of peptide (16).

[0315] FIG. 55 shows the HRMS (MALDI-TOF) spectrum of lipopeptide (17).

Example 9

[0316] A 20-amino acid (TSAPDT(Tn)RPAPGSTAPPAHGV [SEQ ID NO: 6]) tandem repeat of MUC1 which included the PD(-GalNAc-O-T)R epitope was synthesized. The glycopeptides was modified with a terminal azido group in order to make a click conjugation to the Pam.sub.3Cys alkyne. The glycopeptides azide was synthesized by Fmoc strategy on an Omega 396 synthesizer (Advanced ChemTech, Louisville, Ky.) starting from preloaded Fmoc-L-Val Wang resin using solid-phase chemistry, as shown in FIG. 56.

[0317] The peptide synthesis was performed by coupling amino acid esters of HOBt using DIC as the coupling agent. A six-fold excess of N.sup.-Fmoc amino acid esters of HOBt in NMP were used in the synthesis. A 1:1 ratio of amino acid to DIC was used in all the coupling reactions. Deprotection of N.sup.-Fmoc group was accomplished by treatment with piperidine in DMF. After the synthesis was complete, the peptide was cleaved from the solid support and deprotected using a modified reagent K cocktail consisting of TFA-thioanisole-ethanedithiol-water-phenol (88:3:5:2:2). The cocktail mixture was filtered through a Quick Snap column, purified by C18 reverse phase HPLC and lyophilized to afford composition (19).

[0318] The acetyl groups in composition (19) were deprotected by treatment with 6 mmol sodium methoxide in methanol. The product was purified by Bio-Gel (P-2, fine 45-90 m) size exclusion chromatography using deionized water as solvent. Lyophilization of the fractions afforded composition (20) (100%) as a white powder. Conjugation of the composition (19) (1 eqv) with the composition (6) (3 eqv) in the presence of copper(I) iodide (12 eqv), tris [(1-benzyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methyl] amine (TBTA) (3 eqv), diisopropyl ethyl amine (DIEA) (12 eqv) and sodium ascorbate (12 eqv) in H.sub.2O-THF-DMF (1:1:2) as solvent at 20 C. thus afforded the target, Pam.sub.3Cys-MUC1 VNTR-TACA conjugate (21), after 16 h. Composition (21) was purified by neutralization by 7.5% citric acid solution followed by extraction with chloroform. Evaporation of the chloroform extract afforded the composition (21) as light yellow solid.

Synthesis of Azide (20)

[0319] Composition (19) (5 mg, 2.24 mol) was dissolved in 2 mL of dry methanol. 12 L of freshly prepared 1 M sodium methoxide was added to the mixture and the reaction mixture was stirred at ambient temperature under N.sub.2 atmosphere for 3 h. The reaction mixture was neutralized with solid carbon dioxide. The reaction mixture was concentrated and purified by Bio-Gel (P-2, fine 45-90 m) size exclusion chromatography using deionized water as solvent. Lyophilization of the eleutants afforded composition (20) as a white powder (4.7 mg, 100%). HR-MALDI-MS: [M+H] m/z calcd for C.sub.94H.sub.149N.sub.29O.sub.34, 2229.09. found 2026.336.

Synthesis of Glycolipopeptide (21)

[0320] CuI (134 g, 0.54 mol) and TBTA (0.857 mg, 1.62 mol) were dissolved in H.sub.2O-THF (1:1, 0.40 mL) and to it sodium ascorbate (0.80 mg, 4.04 mol) was added and stirred for 5 minutes. Composition (6) (1.27 mg, 1.35 mol) in THF (0.40 mL) was added to the reaction mixture and stirred for 15 minutes followed by the addition of a solution of composition (20) (1 mg, 0.45 mol) in H.sub.2O-DMF (1:3, 0.4 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at 20 C. under N.sub.2 atmosphere for 16 h. The reaction mixture was concentrated, dissolved in CHCl.sub.3, washed with 7.5% aqueous citric acid solution, dried over sodium sulfate, and the solvent was evaporated to afford composition (21) as a light yellow solid (1.9 mg, 100%). HR-MALDI-MS: [M+H] m/z calcd for C.sub.151H.sub.255N.sub.31O.sub.40S, 3175.86. found 3175.809.

[0321] FIGS. 57 and 58 show the HRMS (MALDI-TOF) spectrum and HPLC trace of glycopeptide (19).

[0322] FIG. 59 is the HRMS (MALDI-TOF) spectrum of glycopeptides (20).

[0323] FIG. 60 is the HRMS (MALDI-TOF) spectrum of Pam.sub.3Cys-MUC-1 VNTR conjugate (21).

[0324] Methods of Use

[0325] Also provided herein is a method for eliciting an immune response against a cancer cell surface antigen in a subject in need thereof. The method comprises administering to the subject an antigen-liposome-xenoantigen vaccine composition in sufficient dose to elicit the immune response to the cancer cell surface antigen, wherein the antigen-liposome-xenoantigen vaccine composition comprises the cancer cell surface antigen and a liposome.

[0326] In certain embodiments, the cancer cell surface antigen is expressed only in cancer cells in the subject, such that the immune response specific for the antigen would not attack healthy tissues/organs of the subject. In certain embodiments, the antigen that is expressed on the cancer cell surface is a mutant protein present only on cancer cells, and the immune response is specific for the mutant protein epitope comprising the mutation. The mutation can be a protein mutation, or abnormal sugar or lipid structures on cancer cell surface.

Example 10

T-Cell Proliferation Study

Immunization

[0327] One female BALB/c mouse (6-8 weeks old, The Jackson Laboratory) was primed (day 0) and boosted three time (days 14, 28, and 42) with 100 L subcutaneous injections of an equivolume emulsion of the MUC1-Tn conjugate (8) (prepared in phosphate buffer saline-PBS) and sigma adjuvant system (SAS) (50 g of peptide per mouse, each injection).

[0328] Preparation of Anti-Rha Antibodies

[0329] The Rha-Ficoll and the Rha-OVA immunized mice were bled on day 66 and the sera was pooled. IgG fractions from each pool were prepared by precipitation at 40% saturation of ammonium sulfate. The mixtures were incubated overnight and centrifuged at 10000g for 10 minutes and then resuspended in 0.5 mL water. The antibody solutions were concentrated and buffer was changed twice with PBS using an Ultrafree 0.5 centrifugal filter device (Millipore, Billerica, Mass.) having a molecular cut off of 50000 D. Absorbances of the antibody solutions were recorded at 280 nm to calculate the concentrations and the anti-Rha antibody solutions generated and isolated from the Rha-Ficoll and the Rha-OVA immunized mice were each diluted to 1.0 mg/mL.

[0330] Preparation of Spleen Cell Suspensions and Assay Setup

[0331] On day 49, the mouse was sacrificed and the spleen was removed and placed in 5 mL of freshly prepared spleen cell culture medium (DMEM with 10% fetal calf serium). Single cell suspension was prepared using modified sterile glass homogenizers. The cells were washed three times with culture medium and brought to 510.sup.6 cells/mL. 100 L of the spleen cell suspensions were added to 96 well plates (510.sup.5 cells per well). The dendritic cell (DC) suspension cultured from the bone marrow of a BALB/c mouse was pulsed with the antigen by incubating with the Rha-displaying MUC1-Tn liposomes at antigen concentrations of 8.810.sup.3-1.1 g/mL at 37 C. for 4 h together with anti-Rha antibodies generated from either Rha-Ficoll or Rha-OVA immunized mice sera (5 Ci/mL, 25 L per well) and incubated overnight at 37 C. The cells were harvested on glass-fiber filters and incorporation was determined by measurements on a Top Count scintillation counter.

[0332] Immunizations

[0333] The 20 female BALB/c mice used for this study were divided into four groups A1, A2, B1, and B2, containing 5 mice each. Groups A1 and B1 served as the control groups and were not immunized. Groups A2 and B2 were injected subcutaneously (day 0) with a 100 L subcutaneous injections Rha-Ficoll/Alum on days 14, 28, 42, and 56 (100 g of Rha-Ficoll per mouse, each boost). The mice in each group A1, A2, B1, and B2 were bled on day 66 and the collected sera were tested for anti-Rha antibodies.

[0334] ELISA for Measuring Anti-Rha Antibody Titers

[0335] 96 well plates (Immulon 4 HBX) were coated with Rha-BSA conjugate (6) (2 g/mL) in 0.01 M PBS and incubated overnight at 4 C. The plates were washed 5 times with PBS containing 0.1% Tween-20. Blocking was achieved by incubating the plates for 1 h at room temperature with BSA in 0.01 M PBS (1 mg/mL). The plates were then washed 5 times and incubated for 1 h with serum dilutions in PBS. Unbound antibody in the serum was removed by washing and the plates were incubated for 1 h at room temperature with Horseradish Peroxidase (HRP) goat anti-mouse IgG+IgM (Jackson Immunoresearch Laboratories) diluted 5000 times in PBS/BSA. The plates were washed with TMB (3,3,5,5-tetramethylbenzidine). One component HRP microwell substrate (Bio FX, Owings Mills, Md.) was added and allowed to react for 10 mins. Absorbances were recorded at 620 nm and were plotted against log.sub.10 [1/serum dilution].

[0336] Vaccinations

[0337] Vaccinations were performed on day 77. Two separate liposomal formulations were prepared with DPPC (80%), cholesterol (20%) and Pam.sub.3Cys-MUC1-Tn (9) (2 nmol) (Pam.sub.3Cys-MUC1-Tn liposomes) and DPPC (80%), cholesterol (10%), Rha-TEG-cholesterol 3 (10%) and Pam.sup.3Cys-MUC1-Tn (9) (2 nmol) (Pam.sub.3Cys-MUC1-Tn+Rha liposomes) in total lipid concentrations of 30 mmol Groups A1 and A2 were cavvinated with 100 L subcutaneous injections of the Pam.sub.3Cys-MUC1-Tn liposomes (2 nmol of peptide per mouse) and groups B1 and B2 were vaccinated with 100 L subcutaneous injections of the Pam.sub.3Cys-MUC1-Tn+Rha liposomes (2 nmol peptide per mouse). The mice were boosted on day 91 with either the Pam.sub.3Cys-MUC1-Tn liposomes (groups A1 and A2, 2 nmol peptide per mouse) or the Pam.sub.3Cys-MUC1-Tn+Rha liposomes (groups B1 and B2). The mice were bled on day 101 and the sera collected were tested for anti-MUC1-Tn and anti-Tn antibodies.

[0338] ELISA for Measuring Anti-MUC1-Tn Antibody Titers

[0339] 96 Well plates (Immulon 4 HBX) were coated with MUC1-Tn conjugate (8) (15 L/mL) in 0.01 M PBS and incubated overnight at 4 C. The ELISA was continued as described above.

[0340] ELISA for Measuring Anti-Tn Antibody Titers

[0341] 96 Well plates (Immulon 4 HBX) were coated with Tn-BSA conjugate (15 L/mL) in 0.01 M PBS and incubated overnight at 4 C. The ELISA was continued as described above.

[0342] Anti-MUC1-Tn Antibody Subclass Identification

[0343] 96 Well plates (Immulon 4 HBX) were coated with MUC1-Tn conjugate (8) (15 L/mL) in 0.01 M PBS and incubated overnight at 4 C. The plates were washed 4 times with PBS containing 0.1% Tween-20. Blocking was achieved by incubating the plates for 1 h at room temperature with BSA in 0.01 M PBS (1 mg/mL). The plates were then washed 4 times and incubated for 1 h with 1/100 serum dilution in PBS. Unbound antibody in the serum was removed by washing and the plates were incubated overnight at 4 C. with subclass specific (IgG1, IgG2s, IgG2b, IgG3, 1gA, and IgM) rabbit anti-mouse antibody (Zymed Laboratories mouse monoAb-ID kit). The plates were washed and incubated with HRP-goat anti-rabbit IgG (H+L) for 1 h at room temperature. The plates were washed and ABTS substrate buffer (diluted 50 times) was added and allowed to react for 30 min. Absorbances were recorded at 405 nm and compared for each antibody subclass in each group.

[0344] ELISA for Competitive Binding with Free MUC1-Tn

[0345] A 96-well plate (Immulon 4 HBX) was coated with MUC1-Tn conjugate (8) (15 L/mL) in PBS and incubated overnight at 4 C. The plate was washed 5 times with PBS containing 0.1% Tween-20. Blocking was achieved by incubating the plate for 1 h at room temperature with BSA in M PBS (1 mg/mL). The plate was then washed 5 times and incubated for 1 h with serum dilutions of 1/100 in PBS with or without prior mixing with varying concentrations of free MUC1-Tn (8) from 0, 10.sup.5, 10.sup.4, 10.sup.3 M in PBS. Unbound antibody in the serum was removed by washing and the plate was incubated for 1 h at room temperature with Horseradish Peroxidase (HRP) goat anti-mouse IgG+IgM (secondary antibody) diluted 5000 times in PBS/BSA. The plate was washed and TMB 1 component HRP microwell substrate was added and allowed to react for 10 mins. Absorbances were recorded at 620 nm and were plotted against log.sub.10 [1/free Tn concentration].

[0346] Tumor Cell Staining

[0347] U266 cells (American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, Va.), were cultured in RPMI 1640 with 15% fetal calf serum (FCS). Cells were stained with purified mouse anti-human MUC1 antibodies (CD227, 0.5 g), non-immune BALB/c mice serum (1/5 dilution) and group B2 mice serum (1/5 dilution). The cells were then stained with FITC-conjugated goat anti-mouse IgG+IgM (0.5 g) and fluorescence was quantified with a BD FACS Calibur.

[0348] Comparison of Anti-Rha Antibody Titers Generated Against Rha-Ficoll and Rha-OVA

[0349] Two groups of five female BALB/c mice each were immunized on day 0 with Rha-Ficoll/Alum adjuvant (group A) or Rha-OVA/complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) (group B). The mice were boosted three more times on days 14, 28, and 42 with either Rha-Ficoll/Alum (group A) or rha-OVA/incomplete Freund's adjuvant (ICF) (group B). Sera were collected separately from groups A and B after the third boost and the anti-Rha antibodies in the sera from the two groups of mice were isotyped by screening against Rha-BSA. See FIG. 36. The results demonstrated the anti-Rha antibody titers in the Rha-OVA immunized micro groups were 100-fold higher than those from the Rha-Ficoll immunized mice. However, the isotype distribution confirmed that Rha-Ficoll and Rha-OVA produced the anti-Rha antibody subclasses in different proportions. Anti-Rha antibodies from Rha-OVA immunization were dominated by IgG1 (65%) while Rha-Ficoll immunization produced antibodies which comprised mainly IgG3 (48%) and IgM (25%). IgG1 and IgG3 act similarly in that they both stimulate high affinity FcRI receptors which trigger responses from macrophages. However, IgG1 also stimulates low affinity FcRIIB receptors which inhibit the signals from the FcRI and B cell receptors thereby diminishing B-cell activity and immunogenicity of macrophages. The anti-Rha antibody isotypes from Rha-Ficoll immunized mice serum resembled those naturally occurring in the human serum which is presumed to be generated through a T-independent response.

[0350] T-Cell Proliferation Study

[0351] T-cell proliferation assays were performed to determine if the combination of anti-Rha antibodies and Rha-modified liposomal vaccine would potentiate a T-cell proliferative response. In the first part of the study, the proliferation assay conditions were optimized. BALB/c mice were immunized (day 0) and boosted (days 14, 28, and 42) with 100 L, emulsions of MUC1-Tn (8)/Sigma adjuvant system (SAS) (50 g peptide per mouse, each injection). The mice were sacrificed (day 49), the spleens were removed, and single cell suspensions were prepared and incubated with MUC1-Tn (8.810.sup.3-1.1 g/mL) alone or with syngeneic bone marrow dendritic cells (DCs) previously pulsed with the same doses of antigen. DCs showed enhanced proliferation, as shown in FIG. 37. To test the ability of anti-Rha antibodies to enhance antigen presentation, spleen cells from BALB/c mice immunized as above were prepared. DCs from BALB/c bone marrow were pulsed with the antigen by incubating with Pam.sub.3Cys-MUC1-Tn+Rha liposomes at antigen concentrations of 8.810.sup.3-0.22 g/mL together with antibodies isolated from either Rha-Ficoll or Rha-OVA immunized mice or nonimmune mice. The pulsed DCs were added to the spleen cells and proliferation assessed after 3 days. The spleen T-cells proliferated better in the presence of anti-Rha antibodies (from both Rha-Ficoll and Rha-OVA immunized mice serum) than in the presence of control serum antibodies over the antigen concentration range of 8.810.sup.3-0.22 g/mL. See FIG. 38. Also, the T-cell proliferation was higher in the presence of anti-Rha antibodies generated against Rha-Ficoll (6328, 6045, and 6521 counts per minute (cpm) at antigen concentrations of 8.810.sup.3, 0.044, and 0.22 g/mL) than those against Rha-OVA (5018, 4926, and 4880 cpm at antigen concentrations of 8.810.sup.3, 0.044, and 0.22 g/mL), even though the titer of anti-Rha antibodies was higher in the serum of Rha-OVA immunized mice. The results strongly suggest that the Rha-modified antigen was more effectively internalized and presented by the APCs in the presence of anti-Rha antibodies, particularly those less inhibitory isotypes characteristic of natural antibodies and generated by Rha-Ficoll immunization. Therefore, BALB/c mice in which anti-Rha antibodies are generated with Rha-Ficoll (14) immunization are an appropriate model for the immunogenicity of the Rha-conjugated MUC1-Tn liposomes.

[0352] Anti-Rha Antibody Generation

[0353] Four groups of five female BALB/c mice each (groups A1, A2, B1, and B2) (6-8 weeks old) were used for this vaccination study. Groups A2 and B2 were immunized (day 0) and boosted (days 14, 28, 42, and 56) with 100 L equivolume emulsion of Rha-Ficoll (prepared in PBS) and alum adjuvant. Groups A1 and B1 served as the control groups and were deprived of the Rha-Ficoll/Alum immunization. See FIG. 38B. The mice were bled on day 66 and the ELISA performed by screening the sera from the different groups against Rha-BSA showed that the anti-Rha antibody titers in groups A2 and B2 were 25-fold higher than the control groups. See FIG. 39. Thus, immunization with Rha-Ficoll confirmed the generation of anti-Rha antibodies in the experimental groups of mice.

[0354] Vaccination with Rha and non-Rha-Displaying MUCA1-Tn Liposomes

[0355] Two separate liposomal formulations were prepared. The first contained DPPC, cholesterol and Pam.sub.3Cys-MUC1-Tn (9) (2 nmol) (Pam.sub.3Cys-MUC1-Tn liposomes) and the second contained DPPC, cholesterol, Rha-TEG-cholesterol (3) and Pam.sub.3Cys-MUC1-Tn (9) (2 nmol) (Pam.sub.3CysMUC1-Tn+Rha liposomes). In both formulations the total lipid concentration was 30 mmol. The vaccination was performed on day 77. Groups A1 and A2 were given 100 L subcutaneous injections of the Pam.sub.3Cys-MUC1-Tn liposomes (2 nmol of peptide per mouse) and groups B1 and B2 were given 100 L subcutaneous injections of the Pam.sub.3CysMUC1-Tn+Rha liposome (2 nmol peptide per mouse). The mice were boosted on day 91 with either the Pam.sub.3CysMUC1-Tn liposome (groups A1 and A2, 2 nmol peptide per mouse) or the Pam.sub.3CysMUC1-Tn+Rha liposome (groups B1 and B2). The mice were bled on day 101 and the sera evaluated for anti-MUC1-Tn and anti-Tn antibodies. See FIG. 39B.

[0356] Anti-MUC1-Tn antibody titers were determined by screening the sera against the MUC1-Tn conjugate (8). (FIG. 39B). The data showed that groups A1, A2, and B1 had similar absorbance at 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, and 1/200 serum dilutions. This proved that prior immunization with Rha-Ficoll does not affect the response to a non-Rha conjugated vaccine (groups A1 and A2). In addition, the Rha epitopes on the vaccine do not alter the inherent immunogenicity of the MUC1-Tn epitopes on the vaccine (groups A1 and B1). The anti-MUC1-Tn titers for group B2 showed an 8-fold increase compared to groups A1, A2, and B1, which was mediated by the anti-Rha antibody-dependent antigen-uptake. Group B2 had an anti-MUC1-Tn titer of approximately 1/300, where titer is defined as the highest dilution giving a signal >0.1 above background. The anti-Muc1-Tn antibodies from each group were isotyped, resulting in group B2 showing an increase in IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, and IgM isotypes relative to the other three groups. See FIG. 40. The specificity of the antibodies towards MUC1-Tn antigen was determined by a competitive binding experiment. See FIG. 41A. Serum from every group at 1/100 dilution was incubated with the MUC1-Tn conjugate (8) at concentrations of 0, 10.sup.5, 10.sup.4, and 10.sup.3 M in 0.01 M PBS prior to addition in the ELISA plates coated with the conjugate (8). The absorbances decreased uniformly with increasing concentrations of free MUC1-Tn in the serum dilutions for each group. As an example, the absorbances at 620 nm for the serum dilution of group B2 at free MUC1-Tn concentrations of 0, 10.sup.5, 10.sup.4, and 10.sup.3 M were 0.790, 0.601, 0.577, and 0.512, respectively. These results confirmed the specificity of the anti-MUC1-Tn antibodies towards the respective antigen.

[0357] The antibody titer generated solely against the TACA was determined by screening serum dilutions from every group against a Tn-BSA conjugate. See FIG. 41B. A >8-fold increase in the anti-Tn antibody titers for group B2 was also observed in comparison to groups A1, A2, and B1. This was again attributed to the better uptake of the antigen in the presence of the anti-Rha antibodies by an antibody-dependent antigen-uptake mechanism. Also observed in this study was that the anti-MUC1-Tn antibody titers were higher than the corresponding anti-Tn antibody titers for the same serum dilutions for every group, assuming similar levels of antigen on the plate. For example, for the group B2, the absorbances at 620 nm for the anti-MUC1-Tn and the anti-Tn measurements at 1/100 serum dilutions were 0.922 and 0.509, respectively. This observation demonstrates that the Rha-displaying MUC1-Tn vaccine successfully generates antibodies against both the MUC1 peptide and the TACA.

[0358] The ability of the anti-MUC1-Tn antibodies in the vaccinated mice serum to bind to MUC1-Tn on human tumor cells was demonstrated with U266 human leukemia cells. These cells express MUC1 on their surface as shown by binding with mouse anti-human MUC1 antibodies (CD 227). See FIG. 42A. Serum from group B2 mice also recognized the MUC1 on the tumor cells with similar efficiency as the CD 227 antibodies relative to non-immunized mouse serum. See FIG. 42B. This demonstrates that the antibodies generated against the glycopeptides recognize the MUC1 protein in its native environment.

[0359] Summary

[0360] As the examples herein describe, a fully synthetic two-component vaccine containing the lipopeptide adjuvant Pam.sub.3Cys appended to a 20-amino acid MUC1 peptide containing the TACA GalNAc-O-Thr (Tn) was synthesized and was successfully formulated into liposomes along with an Rha cholesterol conjugate. The resulting liposomes were homogenous in size and were stable at 4 C. for two days. Binding studies with both anti-Rha and mouse anti-human MUC1 antibodies revealed that the Rha and the MUC1 glycopeptide epitopes were surface displayed on the liposomes. A Rha-Ficoll conjugate (14) was synthesized for the generation of anti-Rha antibodies in mice. The in vitro proliferation of MUC1-Tn primed mice spleen T-cells showed increased proliferation to Rha-liposomes in the presence of antibodies from Rha-Ficoll immunized mice relative to nonimmune mice. Vaccination studies with Rha- and non-Rha-displaying MUC1-Tn liposomes in mice either non-immunized or immunized with Rha-Ficoll illustrated that anti-MUC1-Tn and anti-Tn antibodies were >8-fold higher in the groups of mice previously immunized with Rha-Ficoll and later vaccinated with the Pam.sub.3Cys-MUC1-Tn+Rha liposomes. The anti-MUC1-Tn antibodies in the serum of the vaccinated mice recognized the aberrant MUC1 on human leukemia U266 cells. Overall, this vaccine successfully triggered both T-cell and humoral immunity enhanced by anti-Rha antibody dependant antigen uptake. Because this vaccine uses separate rhamnose and anti-genic epitope components, the vaccine can easily be targeted to different antigens or epitopes by changing the peptide without having to change the other components. For instance, the skilled practitioner will appreciate that anti-viral or anti-bacterial vaccines can also be made from them methods and compositions described herein.

[0361] While the invention has been described with reference to various and preferred embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the essential scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof.

[0362] Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed herein contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.

[0363] The publication and other material used herein to illuminate the invention or provide additional details respecting the practice of the invention, are incorporated be reference herein, and for convenience are provided in the following bibliography.

[0364] Citation of the any of the documents recited herein is not intended as an admission that any of the foregoing is pertinent prior art. All statements as to the date or representation as to the contents of these documents is based on the information available to the applicant and does not constitute any admission as to the correctness of the dates or contents of these documents.