| abstract |
The present invention relates to methods and compositions designed for the treatment, management, or prevention of cancer, particularly metastatic cancer, and hyperproliferative diseases involving EphA2-expressing cells. In one embodiment, the methods of the invention comprise the administration of an effective amount of an EphA2 antigenic peptide to elicit an immune response against the EphA2-expressing cells. In other embodiments, the methods of the invention entail the use of an EphA2 expression vehicle, such as a naked nucleic acid or viral vector. In yet other embodiments, the methods of the invention comprise the use of adoptive immunotherapy with autologous or non-autologous antigen presenting cells that are sensitized with one or more EphA2 antigenic peptides. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more EphA2 antigenic peptides, expression vehicles or antigen-presenting cells of the invention either alone or in combination with one or more other agents useful for cancer therapy. |