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Abstract

The present invention relates to novel tumor-associated antigens, which elicit independently from a presentation via MHC a CD8-positive T-cell response. GM-CSF-Receptor alpha chain (CSF2RA) and Tyrosinase-related protein 2 (TRP-2) were found to be targets of CD8-positive T-cell clones which could detect the proteins on the surface of HLA I negative melanoma cells. Thus, the invention provides proteins, protein fragments and polypeptides of the novel antigens for use in medicine, for example for the treatment, diagnosis and prevention of a tumor disease. Furthermore provided are nucleic acids expressing the antigens of the invention, binding agents specific for the antigens of the invention, such as T-cell receptor chains and isolated T cells which are reactive against the antigens of the invention or which express the T-cell receptors of the invention. The invention further pertains to pharmaceutical compositions, especially vaccine compositions, comprising the antigens, nucleic acids, binding agents or T cells in accordance with the invention, and methods for the generation of T cells, which are specifically reactive to the antigens of the invention in an MHC-independent manner.

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First Claim