Active specific immune suppression
AssigneeTherakos, Inc.
InventorsRichard L. Edelson, Daniel J. Tripodi
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method is provided for specifically altering the immune system response of a mammal to a specific antigen. The method comprises the steps of: (a) contacting the mammal's immune system with the specific antigen for a suitable time period so as to artificially stimulate said immune system; (b) withdrawing blood cell containing material, including antigen stimulated blood cells, from the mammal; (c) treating the withdrawn material or cells so as to alter the stimulated cells; and (d) returning the material and treated cells to the mammal.
Claims25
A method for altering the immune system response of a patient to a specific antigen, comprising:
- (a) artificially introducing the specific antigen into the patient's bloodstream or immune system by injection so as to artificially stimulate said immune system;
- (b) withdrawing blood cell containing material, including antigen stimulated blood cells, from the patient;
- (c) treating said material or cells with UV radiation in the presence of a photoactivatable agent;
- and
- (d) returning the treated material or cells to the patient.
A method for suppressing the immune system response of a patient to a tissue allograft prior to receipt of the allograft, wherein the tissue expresses at least one unique antigen which serves to promote an adverse immunologic response in the patient, comprising:
- (a) artificially introducing at least one of said antigens into the patient's bloodstream or immune system by injection so as to activate certain lymphocytes which are specifically reactive with said antigen;
- (b) withdrawing blood cell containing material, including the antigen activated lymphocytes, from the patient;
- (c) treating said lymphocytes with UV radiation in the presence of a photoactivatable agent;
- and
- (d) returning the treated lymphocytes to the patient.
A method for altering the immune system response of a patient to a specific antigen, comprising:
- (a) administering the specific antigen to the patient by injection so as to artificially stimulate the patient's immune system;
- (b) administering a photoactivatable agent to the patient;
- (c) withdrawing blood cell containing material, including antigen stimulated blood cells, from the patient;
- (d) treating said material or cells with UV radiation;
- and
- (e) returning the treated material or cells to the patient.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.