Flt3-ligand as a vaccine adjuvant
AssigneeImmunex Corporation
InventorsDavid H. Lynch, Luis Borges, Robert E. Miller, Charles R. Maliszewski
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Abstract
Flt3-ligand can be used to generate large numbers of dendritic cells from hematopoietic progenitor and stem cells. Flt3-ligand can be used to augment immune responses in vivo, and expand dendritic cells ex vivo. Such dendritic cells can then be used to present tumor, viral or other antigens to naive T cells, can be useful as vaccine adjuvants. When flt3-L is used and/or administered in combination with other reactive agents, e.g. CD40 binding proteins, 4-1BBL or antibodies reactive with 4-1BB, CD30 ligand antagonists, RANKL, and/or interferon alpha the combination further enhances immune responses and the effectiveness of vaccine adjuvants.
Claims8
A vaccine adjuvant, comprising Flt3-ligand.
A method of immunizing a patient in need thereof, comprising:
- (a) administering Flt3-ligand to the patient;
- and
- (b) administering an antigen to the patient.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.