Methods for converting or inducing protective immunity
AssigneeThe Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
InventorRaphael Clynes
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Abstract
The invention is based in part on the finding that suppressing regulatory T cell function is needed in order to convert passive immunity into active antigen-specific immunity. Generally, the methods of the invention comprise at least the combination of: (1) increasing the amount of immune complexes in the subject, wherein the immune complex comprises a target antigen and a immunoglobulin molecule comprising (i) a variable region specific to the target antigen and (ii) a Fc receptor binding region; and (2) inhibiting regulatory T cell function or decreasing/depleting the regulatory T cell population in the subject.
Claims56
A method for converting a passive immunization against a target antigen into active immunity against the target antigen in a subject, the method comprising:
- (a) administering an effective amount of an agent, wherein the agent decreases the activity or function of a regulatory T cell or substantially depletes the regulatory T cell population in the subject, and
- (b) increasing immune complex formation or immune complex number in the subject, wherein the immune complex comprises (i) an antibody or antibody fragment that comprises at least a portion of an immunoglobulin variable region that specifically binds to the target antigen and at least a portion of immunoglobulin constant region that can bind to an Fc-receptor;
- thereby inducing, activating, or stimulating T helper and or T cytotoxic cells that have T cell receptors specific to the target antigen in the subject.
A method for treating or reducing cancer in a subject, the method comprising:
- (a) administering an effective amount of an agent, wherein the agent decreases the activity or function of a regulatory T cell or substantially depletes the regulatory T cell population in the subject, and
- (b) increasing immune complex formation or immune complex number in the subject, wherein the immune complex comprises (i) an antibody or antibody fragment that comprises at least a portion of an immunoglobulin variable region that specifically binds to a tumor antigen and at least a portion of immunoglobulin constant region that can bind to an Fc-receptor;
- thereby inducing, activating, or stimulating T helper and or T cytotoxic cells that have T cell receptors specific to the tumor antigen in the subject.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.