VACCINE THERAPIES AND PROPHYLACTIC TREATMENTS OF ATHEROSCLEROTIC DISEASES

The present invention relates to novel vaccine therapies, and prophylactic treatments of atherosclerotic diseases. Accordingly there is provided, immunogens comprising specific fragments or derivatives of Apolipoprotein C- III (ApoCIII). The vaccines of the present invention, comprising said immunogens, are potent in the prevention, or reduction, of atherosclerotic plaque formation over prolonged periods of time, thereby reducing the potential of atheroslerosis leading to coronary or cerebrovascular disease. Also provided are methods of treating or preventing atherosclerosis by activ e vaccination, or passive vaccination through administration to a patient of a n antibody that is capable of binding to the specific fragments of ApoCIII. Specific monoclonal antibodies and their use in therapy of atherosclerosis i s provided. There is further provided the use of the immunogens of the present invention in medicine, and methods of their production. The fragments of ApoCIII which form the basis of the immunogens of the present invention, and also the targets for passive immunotherapy, are encompased within the region s between amino acid numbers 45-76 and, particularly, 12-35 of the mature form of human ApoCIII.