Definition

A peptide vaccine comprised of three immunogenic tetanus toxoid epitope P30-linked tumor-associated antigen (TAA) peptides, P30-linked Ephrin receptor A2 (EphA2), P30-linked cytomegalovirus (CMV) matrix protein pp65 (65 kDa lower matrix phosphoprotein; UL83) and P30-linked survivin, with potential immunostimulating and antineoplastic activities. Upon administration, P30-linked EphA2/CMV pp65/survivin peptide vaccine P30-EPS may elicit a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response against tumor cells expressing EphA2, CMV pp65 and survivin. The tyrosine kinase receptor EphA2 and the inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) family member survivin, overexpressed in certain tumor types, play key roles in tumor cell proliferation. The CMV pp65 protein is expressed in certain tumor types. The covalent linkage of P30 to the TAA peptides enhances TAA-specific anti-tumor immune responses, compared with the administration of the TAA peptides alone.