Immunoregulatory structures from normally occuring proteins

#The present invention relates to certain identified protein sequences having an immunoregulatory effect, as well as antibodies directed to such protein sequences and to methods for identifying such.

#Although data indicate that the immune system is of major importance for cancer control, malignant tumours continue to grow and the efficacy of immunotherapy is rather poor with an objective remission rate of 15-30%. There can be several reasons for this apparent paradox: Tumours avoid the recognition by the immune system by not expressing tumour associated antigens properly Tumour associated antigens (often self antigens), which are too weak to elicit an adequate immune response Induction of tolerance Cancer related immunosuppression, which prevents an adequate immune response

#These alternatives require completely different therapeutic strategies, either proper stimulation of the immune system or control of cancer related immunosuppressor mechanisms.

#The present invention relates to an immune cell binding protein sequence of a protein normally occurring in serum, such as to an isolated cell binding peptide, peptide fragment, neo-structure and/or neo-epitope of a protein normally occurring in serum, which is present in a human tissue, wherein said peptide, peptide fragment, neo-structure and/or neo-epitope has an immunoregulatory activity and said peptide, peptide fragment, neo-structure and/or neo-epitope is the result of an enhanced proteolytic activity and/or denaturing in an inflammatory tissue and/or a malignant tumour. Specific examples of such immune cell binding protein sequences are selected from the amino acid sequences listed e.g. as SEQ.ID.NO(s). 1-81, such as in particular from the sequences corresponding to SEQ.ID.NO(s). 26, 80, and 81.

#Consequently, the present invention also relates to the use as a medicine of an immune cell binding protein sequence of a protein normally occurring in serum, such as an isolated cell binding peptide, peptide fragment, neo-structure and/or neo-epitope, which is present in a human tissue, wherein said peptide, peptide fragment, neo-structure and/or neo-epitope has an immunoregulatory activity and said peptide, peptide fragment, neo-structure and/or neo-epitope is the result of an enhanced proteolytic activity and/or denaturing in an inflammatory tissue and/or a malignant tumour, selected from the amino acid sequences listed as SEQ.ID.NO(s). 1-81, such as in particular selected from the sequences corresponding to SEQ.ID.NO(s). 26, 80, and 81.

#In particular, the present invention relates to the use of an immune cell binding protein sequence of a protein normally occurring in serum, according to the present invention, selected from the amino acid sequences listed as SEQ.ID.NO(s). 1-81, such as in particular selected from the sequences corresponding to SEQ.ID.NO(s). 26, 80, and 81, for diagnosing, treating and/or preventing cancer in a patient in need thereof.