The infusion of TIL586 along with interleukin-2 (IL-2) into the autologous patient
with metastatic melanoma resulted in the objective regression of tumor. A gene
encoding a tumor antigen recognized by TIL586 was previously isolated and shown
to encode gp75 or TRP-1. The present invention relates to the identification of
a second tumor antigen recognized by a HLA-A31 restricted CTL clone derived from
the TIL586 cell line. This antigen derived from the TRP-2 protein tumor antigen
and peptides thereof are capable of sensitizing target cells for lysis by a CTL
clone at 1 nM peptide concentration. Modified peptides were also recognized by
the CTL clone.