Immunotherapy of B Cell Involvement in Progression of Solid, Nonlymphoid Tumors

BioCrystal, Ltd. (Assignee)
U.S. Patent Number 6,224,866
Filed: October 4, 1999
Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
For Sale: US $150,000, negotiable

Background: Enlyton discovered that certain soluble tumor antigens, shed from tumor cells of solid, nonlymphoid tumors, are capable of inducing an immune response that promotes tumor progression (comprising one or more of tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis).  This mechanism of promotion of tumor progression involves the specific type of immune response induced by certain classes of shed tumor antigen, as described in more detail herein.  This specific immune response, a “pro-tumor immune response”, comprises (a) the contact or presence of shed tumor antigen in relation to the cell surface of B cells; (b) activation of such B cells to proliferate; (c) differentiation of B cells into plasma cells which secrete antibody against shed tumor antigen, which can interact with shed antigen in forming immune complexes; and (d) such immune complexes can act indirectly via immune effector cells, and/or directly on the nonlymphoid tumor cells, to mediate tumor progression.

Therefore, a need exists for methods that may be used to therapeutically treat a pro-tumor immune response, by treating B cells in an individual; particularly in an individual who has a solid, nonlymphoid tumor, or an individual who is at high risk (e.g., environmentally and/or genetically) for developing a solid, nonlymphoid tumor, or an individual who has been treated for solid, nonlymphoid tumor and thereby inherently carries a risk of recurrence of such tumor.

The invention: The invention offers a method for treating a pro-tumor immune response in an individual having, or suspecting of having, a pro-tumor immune response, by administering a therapeutically effective amount of an immunotherapeutic composition which binds to a determinant on B cells, resulting in B cell depletion including of B cells that may be involved in promotion of tumor progression.  Also provided are immunotherapeutic compositions which can be used for treating a pro-tumor immune response.

Contact Information for Licensing or Sale:    Jeffrey R. Bergen
                                                                      CEO
                                                                      BioCrystal, Ltd.  
                                                                      575 McCorkle Boulevard
                                                                      Westerville, OH 43082
                                                                      Phone: 614-818-1170 ext 208
                                                                      Email: jbergen@biocrystal.com
                                                                      Mobile: 614-940-7781