Patent ID: 8501707

Claim:
An expression vector for generating in an individual immunity against two or more mucin antigens, said vector comprising a transcription unit, said transcription unit comprising a nucleic acid operably linked to a promoter, said transcription unit encoding a secretable polypeptide, said encoded polypeptide comprising from the amino terminus, a secretory signal sequence, at least one or more fragments from each of two distinct mucin antigens where the fragments are connected together, and a CD40 ligand, wherein (i) the mucin antigens and the CD40 ligand lack all or substantially all of their transmembrane domains; (ii) one end of the connected mucin antigen fragments is attached to the amino terminus of the extracellular domain of said CD40 ligand; and, (iii) said encoded polypeptide is configured to promote MHC Class I restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes.