Use of diethylcarbamazine to enhance antigen-antibody and antigen-host immune cell interactions
AssigneeHarvard University
InventorLynn W. Kitchen
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Abstract
This invention relates to the use of diethylcarbamazine (DEC), its analogs, homologs, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof as an antiviral agent. This invention further relates to the use of DEC in in vivo diagnosis to increase antibodies to a particular disease; to the use of DEC in in vitro serologic assays to increase efficacy; and to the use of DEC as a vaccine adjuvant.
Claims40
A method for treatment of viral infection which comprises administering to a host in need of such treatment an effective amount of diethylcarbamazine, or its therapeutically useful homologs, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts.
A method for immunomodulation of a host harboring a pathogen or neoplasia which comprises administering to said host an immunomodulating effective amount of diethylcarbamazine, or its therapeutically useful homologs, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts.
A method of prevention of viral infection which comprises administering to a host an anti-viral effective amount of diethylcarbamazine, or its therapeutically useful homologues, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts.
In a method for prevention of pathogenic infection which comprises administering to a host an immunogenic-effective amount of a composition comprising at least one antigen of said pathogen, the improvement comprising administering with said antigen an effective amount of diethylcarbamazine, or its therapeutically useful homologous, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt as adjuvant.
The method of claim I8 wherein the pathogen is a retrovirus.
In an immunoassay for detection of antibody in a fluid sample comprising contacting said sample with an antigen capable of reacting with said antibody, the improvement comprising adding to said fluid sample, prior to contact with the antigen, a reaction-enhancing effective amount of diethylcarbamazine or a homologue, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
In an immunodiagnostic method for detection of a pathogen-associated antibody comprising contacting a serum sample of an individual suspected of harboring said pathogen with a pathogen specific antigen, the improvement comprising administering to said individual an effective amount of diethylcarbamazine, or homologue, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, prior to collection of the serum sample.
A composition for the prevention of viral infection which comprises an immunogenic effective amount of at least one viral antigen in combination with an adjuvant-effective amount of diethylcarbamazine, or homologue, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
A composition for treatment of viral infection comprising an effective amount of antiviral chemotherapeutic agent in combination with an effective amount of diethylcarbamazine, or a homologue, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.