Inventors:
Constantin Ioannides - Houston TX, US
Martin Campbell - Houston TX, US
Catherine O'Brian - Houston TX, US
International Classification:
A61K039/00, A61K039/12, A61K039/02
US Classification:
424185100, 424186100, 424190100
Abstract:
The invention provides a method for the creation of peptide antigens comprising epitopes with at least a first modification comprising a shortened or lengthened amino acid side chain. By extension or shortening of the side chain with CH3/CH2 groups, for example, made by computer assisted modeling of the tumor antigen (peptide) bound in the MHC-I-groove, immunogenicity can be improved with minimal modification of adjacent tertiary structure, thereby avoiding cross-reactivity. Provided by the invention are methods of creating such antigens, as well as methods for therapeutic or prophylactic treatment of various conditions comprising administration of the antigens.