Use of CD23 antagonists for the treatment of neoplastic disorders

A method of treating a neoplastic disorder in a mammal comprising the steps of:

• administering a therapeutically effective amount of at least one chemotherapeutic agent to said mammal;
• and
• administering a therapeutically effective amount of at least one CD23 antagonist to said patient wherein said chemotherapeutic agent and said CD23 antagonist may be administered in any order or concurrently.

A method of treating B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) in a mammal in need thereof comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a CD23 antagonist to said mammal.

A method of treating a neoplastic disorder in a mammal comprising the steps of:

• administering a therapeutically effective amount of Rituxan to said mammal;
• and
• administering a therapeutically effective amount of IDEC-152 to said mammal wherein said Rituxan and said IDEC-152 may be administered in any order or concurrently.

A method of inducing apoptosis in malignant cells comprising contacting said malignant cells with an apoptosis inducing amount of a CD23 antagonist.

A kit useful for the treatment of a mammal suffering from or predisposed to a neoplastic disorder comprising at least one container having a CD23 antagonist deposited therein and a label or an insert indicating that said CD23 antagonist may be used to treat said neoplastic disorder.