Conjugate heat shock protein-binding peptides

Abstract From the Canadian patent

The present invention relates (i) to conjugate peptides engineered to noncovalently bind to heat shock proteins; (ii) to compositions comprising such conjugate peptides, optionally bound to heat shock protein; and (iii) to methods of using such compositions to induce an immune response in a subject in need of such treatment. It is based at least in part, on the discovery of tethering molecules which may be used to non-covalently link antigenic peptides to heat shock proteins. The present invention also provides for methods of identifying additional tethers which may be comprised together , with antigenic sequences, in conjugate peptides.