# Patent

## Title
Antigenic peptides

## Abstract

It is described a peptide consisting of a specific urogential carcinoma TLP epitope, wherein the TLP comprises the amino acid sequence GlyProProGluValGlnAsnAlaAsn. Also described are reagents to detect said urogenital TLP and pharmaceutical compositions.

## Background
The present invention concerns peptides of the TLP complex (tumour released proteins) isolated from urogenital carcinoma.

In particular the invention refers to peptides of TLP protein complexes from human urogenital carcinoma having antigenic activity and to antibodies able to react with them, to be used in diagnostics and clinics.

TLP complexes are protein complexes which are present in human tumor cells. Among TLP proteins a 214 KDa protein is described (Tarro G., Oncology 40, 248-253, 1983). TLP are isolated from tumor tissues as described in the European Patent EP 283443. Italian Patent Application No. RM92A000506 identifies a TLP protein from lung carcinoma. The author of the instant invention has surprisingly found that TLP from urogenital carcinoma comprise new peptides having sequences which differ from known TLP peptides.

Therefore there is the need to identify TLP peptides, acting as epitopes, from urogenital carcinoma, to produce specific reagents, as antibodies.

The author of the instant invention has identified a peptide having a sequence comprised in the sequence of the 214 kDa TLP protein from either cervix, uterus, or testis adenocarcinoma, and from kidney neoplasia.

Therefore it is an object of the instant invention a peptide comprising a specific urogenital carcinoma TLP epitope, wherein said TLP is characterised by comprising the aminoacid sequence of SEQ ID No. 1:

According to a preferred embodiment the peptide comprises the aminoacid sequence of SEQ ID No. 1.

Further objects of the invention are specific reagents able to recognise the TLP from urogenital carcinoma, preferably said reagents comprise TLP antibodies. More preferably said antibodies recognise the peptide fragment having the sequence of SEQ ID No. 1.

Further objects of the invention are diagnostic kits to identify TLP from a sample comprising as specific reagents the antibodies of the invention.

Another object of the invention is a pharmaceutical composition comprising as active agent the peptide of the invention.

The invention will now be described according to exemplificating but not limiting examples.

A tumor biopsy of 12,55 g, from a 45 old woman having a cervix carcinoma, was thawed at room temperature and necrotic tissues were surgically removed. When the material resulted to be homogeneous, many washings were performed with Tris 1x (10 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.2) and the tissue subjected to three freeze-thawing cycles.

Used Tris washing solution was collected and centrifuged at 33,000 rpm for 1 hr. The supernatant was collected and frozen.

The tissue was sonicated three times for three min. and subsequently ultracentrifuged at 33,000 rpm for 120 min. The supernatant (5,7 ml) was collected, filtered on Agrodisc filters (0.45 .mu.m), and the tissue was suspended to a ratio of 1 g/ml Tris, and ultracentrifuged at 33,000 rpm for 60 min. The supernatant (0.5 ml) was filtered and added to the previous one.

The same process was performed on either testicular carcinoma (total yield 1.9 ml) or kidney neoplasia samples. Carcinoma

The TLP complex is isolated from urogenital carcinoma extracts as described in the EP 283443 patent. Samples utilised are:

The protein content resulted to be as follows: Sample                    Total mg  mg/ml TLP cervix                    59.5      9.6 adenocarcinoma testicular                 7.4 3.9 carcinoma kidney neoplasia           7.4* 1.5 *Total kidney protein concentration did not allow an efficient TLP purification yield.

The TLP identification was performed through molecular weight determination (214 kDa) by means of denaturing electrophoretic analysis (SDS).

The removal of the main part of contaminants was performed by taking off gel sections corresponding to an apparent molecular weight of 214 kDa and by further electroeluting with a microelectroelution apparatus (AMICON).

Subsequently the TLP purity was confirmed by denaturing electrophoresis analysis. TLP was then transferred onto a PVDF (polyvinylidifluoride) membrane with an high protein capturing activity, and a sequential aminoacid analysis according to the Edman method was performed, with a protein automated sequencing apparatus by Applied Biosystems.

The aminoacid sequence which was found in all of samples was the following: GlyProProGluValGlnAsnAlaAsn (SEQ ID No.1).

## Claims

1. A peptide consisting of the sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO:1.

2. A composition comprising the peptide of claim 1 and a carrier.