The invention is concerned with epitopes derived from
human papilloma virus, and peptides having a size of about 22–45
amino acid residues comprising minimal
T cell epitopes. The invention further provides clinically relevant approaches for immunizing subjects against (Myco)bacterially and / or virally infected cells or
tumor cells, and in particular against HPV. The invention demonstrates that
peptide sequences of 22–35
amino acid residues in length can induce both
peptide-specific CD8+ cytolytic cells and CD4+ T-helper cells. Moreover, the invention demonstrates that
vaccination with 22–35 residue long peptides results in a more vigorous CD8+ cytolytic T-
cell response than
vaccination with peptides of the exact minimal
CTL epitope length. The invention further demonstrates that the intrinsic capacity of certain minimal CTL epitopes which instead of activating cytolytic
effector cells tolerize these cytolytic cells, can be overcome by use of these 22–35
amino acid long peptides. The invention further provides clinically relevant approaches for
vaccination and / or treatment of subjects against HPV. The invention also provides methods and uses suited to treat subjects suffering from progressive lesions and / or
cervical cancer.