the invention provides methods for identifying a hla - b * 0702 - restricted cryptic epitope in an antigen , as well as methods for increasing the immunogenicity of hla - b * 0702 - restricted cryptic epitopes . the hla - b * 0702 - restricted cryptic epitopes and their cognate immunogenic epitopes are useful for stimulating an immune reaction against the cryptic epitopes in a subject . accordingly , the invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a hla - b * 0702 - restricted cryptic epitope or a cognate immunogenic epitope thereof , and vaccination kits comprising such epitopes . the novel materials of the invention are particularly useful for efficiently treating patients having an hla - b * 0702 phenotype .