Compositions and Methods for Tolerization in Immune Complex-Mediated Disease Progression

BioCrystal, Ltd.  (Assignee)
U.S.  Patent Number 6,245,752
Filed: April 26, 1999
Date of Patent: June 12, 2001

Preface.  Shed tumor antigen-specific B cells are tolerized by administering an amount of repeated, antigenic carbohydrate determinant of the shed tumor antigen.  Tolerization may occur through apoptosis, blocking interaction with shed antigen or blocking B cell function.  This composition will also compete with the shed antigen for anti-shed antigen antibodies resulting in a reduction of the formation of immune complexes containing shed antigen, which also mitigates disease progression. 

Background.  The present invention provides compositions for treating diseases, such as certain cancers and microbial infections exacerbated by the presentation to antigen-specific B cells of a soluble antigen comprising repeated antigenic carbohydrate determinants.  Further, the present invention provides a composition comprising a conjugate of a substantially non-immunogenic carrier molecule and a B cell tolerogen incorporating a suppressive amount of a repeated antigenic carbohydrate determinant of a shed antigen involved in exacerbation or promotion of a disease selected from the group consisting of certain cancers and microbial infections.  The invention further provides a method for making such compositions. 

The invention also provides a composition and method for anti-tumor therapy which is directed to a subpopulation of B lymphocytes present in an individual.  In this regard, such B cells promote tumor progression of the primary tumor.  These B cells may be located in lymphoid tissues containing shed tumor antigen, as well as circulating in body fluids of the individual. 

In addition, the present invention enables a composition and method for anti-parasitic therapy directed to a subpopulation of B lymphocytes present in an individual infected with certain Leishmania species.  In this regard, such B cells, which may be located in lymphoid tissues containing shed leishmanial antigen and in circulating body fluids, promote disease exacerbation and severity. 

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