Title:  Methods and compositions for ameliorating the symptoms of sepsis

United States Patent:  6,297,049

Assignee:  The Scripps Research Institute (La Jolla, CA)

Filed:  April 3, 2000

The present invention concerns a method of treating sepsis comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of anti-CD14 antibody molecules. A therapeutic composition comprising anti-CD14 antibody molecules in a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient is also contemplated.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention was born out of the discovery that a primary regulator of cytokine production and release is the CD14 receptor, particularly in cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage. Inasmuch as cytokines secretion plays an important role in producing the symptoms of sepsis,. the present invention contemplates methods and agents for inhibiting the secretion of cytokines, particularly TNF.

Therefore, in one embodiment, the present invention contemplates administering, preferably intravenously, to a pateint at risk for or suffering the symptoms of sepis a therapeutically effective amount of an anti-CD14 antibody, an anti-LBP antibody, an LBP peptide analog or a subcombination or combination thereof. The method can be practiced alone or in combination with the substantially simultaneous administration of other therapeutic modalities known to prevent or ameliorate the symptoms of sepsis, including treatment with one or more of an antiboiotic, steroids, anti-TNF antibody, TNF antagonist and the like.

Further contemplated by the present invention are therapeutic compositions, typically in unit dose form, useful for preventing or ameliorating the symptoms of sepsis. The compositions comprise a pharmaceutically acceptible carrier containing one or more of an anti-CD14 antibody, an anti-LBP antibody, and LBP peptide analog that acts as an LBP antagonist, as an active ingredient. In preferred embodiments, a therapeutic composition of this invention further contains, as active ingredients an agent known to prevent or ameliorate the symptoms of sepsis, such as an antibiotic, steroid, anti-TNF antibody, a TNF antagonist, soluble CD14 and the like, either alone, in sub-combination or combination.

Claim 1 of 4 Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method of ameliorating sepsis in a patient, which method comprises administering to said patient a therapeutically effective amount of an anti-lipopolysaccharide binding protein antibody.

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