| abstract |
The present invention relates to methods and compositions for eliciting an immune response and the prevention and treatment of primary and metastatic neoplastic diseases and infectious diseases. The methods of the invention comprise administering a composition comprising an effective amount of a complex, in which the complex consists essentially of a heat shock protein (hsp) noncovalently bound to an antigenic molecule in combination with administering antigen presenting cells sensitized with complexes of hsps noncovalently bound to an antigenic molecule. 'Antigenic molecule' as used herein refers to the peptides with which the hsps are endogenously associated in vivo as well as exogenous antigens/immunogens (i.e.), with which the hsps are not complexed in vivo) or antigenic/immunogenic fragments and derivatives thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the complex is autologous to the individual. In a specific embodiment, the effective amounts of the complex when administered intradermally are in the range of 0.1 to 9.0 micrograms for complexes comprising hsp70, 5 to 49 micrograms for hsp90, and 0.1 to 9.0 micrograms for gp96. In another embodiment, the effective amounts of the complex when administered subcutaneously are in the range of 10 to 600 micrograms for complexes comprising hsp70, 50 to 5000 micrograms for hsp90, and 10 to 600 micrograms for gp96. |