Methods, agents and peptides for inducing an immune response to matrix metalloproteinase-2 expressing tumors

A method for monitoring and assessing immune response to a matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) expressing tumor comprising assessing enhanced cell mediated responses to MMP-2, the method comprising:

• inducing enhanced cell mediated immune responses by contacting at least one of CD4+TH1 cells and dendritic cells with at least one MMP-2 peptide, wherein the at least one MMP-2 peptide consists of 20-25 contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:
• 1 comprising amino acids 601-620 of SEQ ID NO:
• 1 (P601-620), amino acids 621-640 of SEQ ID NO:
• 1 (P621-640), or amino acids 630-650 of SEQ ID NO:
• 1 (P630-650);
• or a composition comprising the at least one MMP-2 peptide and detecting an increase in at least one of MMP-2-specific CD4+TH1 cells and dendritic cells expressing type-I IFN receptor (IFNAR1), wherein the increase is indicative of the immune response to the MMP-2 expressing tumor.