Human Sperm Fibrous Sheath (FS) Proteins: New Target Antigens For Use In Therapeutic Cancer Vaccines And Diagnostic Screening And Methods Of Using Same

Abstract

Cancer vaccines were demonstrated to be promising strategies for cancer treatment; however these strategies are limited by the paucity of target antigens that provoke an effective immune response. The Inventors of the present patent application propose that sperm fibrous sheet proteins constitute a new class of potential antigens for use in the development of effective, durable cancer vaccines. This hypothesis is supported by the expression of the sperm fibrous sheath protein, known as Sperm protein 17 (Sp17), which is detected in tumors of unrelated histological origin. It has the ability to induce T-cell based immune responses. The expression of the Sperm protein 17 (Sp17) in tumors of unrelated histological origin, and its' natural localization in the human sperm fibrous sheath (FS), led the Inventors to hypothesize that FS proteins might represent a new potential class of target antigens useful for developing cancer vaccines, as well as diagnostic and therapeutic treatments.

Claims

1. The future application is having new targets for tumor vaccines and cancer diagnostics through the development of antibodies against antigens localized in the fibro-sheath.

2. This will be the first anatomical structure used as a protein to induce a better vaccine pulsing in dendritic cells or using just the single Fibrous sheath as a structure that can stimulate protection against this class of antigens that are expressed in different tumors such as ovarian, lung, prostate, breast, colon, pancreas cancers and multiple myeloma, as well as other hematological and non hematological tumors. It will be used to active the immune system in vivo and ex vivo application.

3. Novelty is the anatomical structure to be used for the first time as a protein, genes, and antibodies to stimulate tumor immunity.

4. We can develop novel reagents such as different antigens, genes protein from this structure and antibodies by micro-array applications.

5. The sperm fibrous sheath proteins that constitute a potential group of cancer testis antigens.

6. The use of the fibrous sheath (genes and proteins and antibodies derived from the fibrous sheath), an anatomical structure, used as a protein to stimulate tumor immunity.

7. A cancer-related antigen, proteins genes and antibodies derived from the fibrous sheath, for example the Sperm Protein 17, AKAP-4, ASP, CABIR, PTTG-1, ROPPORIN and all others potential proteins, genes and antibodies derived from a fibrous sheath component which is a cancer testis antigen occurring in a number of malignant cells and some normal cells.

8. A cancer-related antigen, proteins genes and antibodies derived from the fibrous sheath, Sperm Protein 17, AKAP-4, ASP, CABIR, PTTG-1, and ROPPORIN, which will be used to develop a therapeutic cancer vaccine.

9. A cancer-related antigen, proteins genes and antibodies derived from the fibrous sheath, for example Sperm Protein 17, AKAP-4, ASP, CABIR, PTTG-1, ROPPORIN, which will be used to develop a diagnostic test for cancer.

10. A cancer-related antigen, proteins genes and antibodies derived from the fibrous sheath, for example antibodies directed against the Sperm Protein 17, AKAP-4, ASP, CABIR, PTTG-1, ROPPORIN and all other potential genes, proteins, antibodies for use in therapeutic and diagnostic test applications.

11. An immunogen comprising an isolated FIBROUS SHEATH protein or fragment thereof as described herein.

12. A therapeutic regimen comprising introduction of a gene encoding at least a portion of a FIBROUS SHEATH for the treatment or prevention of a disorder or disease state as described herein.

13. A method for the treatment of multiple myeloma, ovarian, cervical, lung, prostate breast, colon leukemia, and other disease of the type described herein.

14. A method for the treatment of solid tumors of the type described herein.

15. A method for the treatment of non-solid tumors of the type described herein.

16. A method for the diagnosis of multiple myeloma, cervical , breast, prostate, leukemia ovarian, lung, pancreas, colon comprising obtaining human sera and contacting the antibody with the sera and detecting antibody binding to an antigen wherein the antigen comprises at least a portion of a polypeptide having a nucleotides sequence of the Fibrous Sheath.

17. A vaccine comprising a gene encoding at least a portion of a Fibrous Sheath protein.

Description

EXAMPLES

[0034] The invention having been generally described, the following examples are given as particular embodiments of the invention and to demonstrate the practice and advantages thereof. It is understood that the examples are given by way of illustration and are not intended to limit the specification or the claims in any manner.