| abstract |
A DNA composition effective for eliciting an immune response against tumor cells and tumor metastases comprising a DNA construct that encodes for at least one epitope of fibroblast activation protein (FAP), which is expressible in immune cells, and which is incorporated in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The composition can encode a single epitope of FAP, a polypeptide comprising two or more epitopes of FAP, the entire FAP protein, or any portion thereof that will elicit the desired immune response. In one preferred embodiment, the composition also includes a DNA construct that encodes an immune effector protein, such as a cytokine. The DNA composition of the invention can be used alone or in combination with a chemotherapeutic agent to treat diseases such as tumors and tumor metastases. |