Methods for the early diagnosis of ovarian cancer
AssigneeThe University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
InventorsTimothy J. O'Brien, Martin J. Cannon, Alessandro Santin
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Abstract
The present invention discloses the protease stratum corneum chymotrytic enzyme (SCCE) is specifically over-expressed in ovarian and other malignancies. A number of SCCE peptides can induce immune responses to SCCE, thereby demonstrating the potential of these peptides in monitoring and the development of immunotherapies for ovarian and other malignancies.
Claims39
A method of vaccinating an individual against stratum corneum chymotrytic enzyme (SCCE), comprising the step of:
- inoculating an individual with a SCCE peptide, wherein said SCCE peptide elicits an immune response in said individual, thereby vaccinating said individual against SCCE.
A method of producing immune-activated cells directed toward stratum corneum chymotrytic enzyme (SCCE), comprising the steps of:
- exposing immune cells to a SCCE protein or fragment thereof, wherein said exposure to said SCCE protein or fragment thereof activates said immune cells, thereby producing immune-activated cells directed toward stratum corneum chymotrytic enzyme.
A method of immunotherapy targeted toward stratum corneum chymotrytic enzyme (SCCE) in an individual, comprising the steps of:
- a) isolating dendritic cells from said individual;
- b) expressing a SCCE protein or fragment thereof in said dendritic cells;
- and
- c) transferring said dendritic cells back to said individual, wherein said dendritic cells would activate SCCE-specific immune responses in said individual, thereby generating immunotherapy targeted toward SCCE in said individual.
A method of immunotherapy targeted toward stratum corneum chymotrytic enzyme (SCCE) in an individual, comprising the steps of:
- a) isolating dendritic cells from said individual;
- b) expressing a SCCE protein or fragment thereof in said dendritic cells;
- c) exposing immune cells comprising T cells isolated from said individual to said dendritic cells, wherein said dendritic cells would generate SCCE-specific T cells from said immune cells;
- and
- c) transferring said immune cells back to said individual, wherein said immune cells would activate SCCE-specific immune responses in said individual, thereby generating immunotherapy targeted toward SCCE in said individual.
A method of monitoring the efficacy of vaccinating an individual with stratum corneum chymotrytic enzyme (SCCE) or SCCE peptide, said method comprises the steps of:
- vaccinating said individual with said SCCE or SCCE peptide;
- isolating T cells from said individual;
- and
- measuring immune responses induced by said SCCE or SCCE peptide, wherein an increased level of immune responses compared to those exhibited by cells from normal individual indicates that said individual has been vaccinated by said SCCE or SCCE peptide.
A method of inhibiting expression of endogenous SCCE in a cell, comprising the step of:
- introducing into said cell a vector comprising a sequence complementary to SEQ ID No.30, wherein expression of said vector in said cell produces SCCE antisense RNA that hybridizes to endogenous SCCE mRNA, thereby inhibiting expression of endogenous SCCE in said cell.
A method of inhibiting stratum corneum chymotrytic enzyme protein in a cell, comprising the step of:
- introducing into said cell an antibody specific for a stratum corneum chymotrytic enzyme (SCCE) protein or a fragment thereof, wherein binding of said antibody to said stratum corneum chymotrytic enzyme protein inhibits said stratum corneum chymotrytic enzyme protein in said cell.
A method of targeted therapy to an individual, comprising the step of:
- administering a compound to an individual, wherein said compound has a therapeutic moiety and a targeting moiety specific for stratum corneum chymotrytic enzyme.
An immunogenic composition, comprising an immunogenic fragment of a stratum corneum chymotrytic enzyme protein and an appropriate adjuvant.
An oligonucleotide having a sequence complementary to SEQ ID No. 30.
A method of screening for compounds that inhibit stratum corneum chymotrytic enzyme activity, comprising the steps of:
- contacting a sample comprising stratum corneum chymotrytic enzyme protein with a compound;
- and
- assaying for stratum corneum chymotrytic enzyme protease activity, wherein a decrease in said stratum corneum chymotrytic enzyme protease activity in the presence of said compound relative to stratum corneum chymotrytic enzyme protease activity in the absence of said compound indicates said compound inhibits stratum corneum chymotrytic enzyme activity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.