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AssigneeRegents of the University of Minnesota
InventorsAugusto C. Ochoa, Fritz H. Bach, Barbara Alter, Paul Sondel
Estimating the term…
In accordance with the present invention, a method of culturing lymphocytes is disclosed in which the lymphocytes are cultured in the presence of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and an antibody to a lymphocyte surface receptor, preferably an antibody to a lymphocyte T3 surface receptor. Preferably, the antibody is monoclonal. Cells cultured with anti-CD3 maintain their LAK activity as they increase in number. The cells can also be cultured in the presence of an additional lymphokine to obtain additional LAK activity. Methods of medical treatment are also disclosed in which cells cultured in accordance with the culturing methods of the present invention are introduced into the individual to be treated.
A method of developing LAK activity in a population of cultured lymphocytes, said method comprising:
The method of claim 44 wherein in step (c) , said medium further comprises a lymphokine, in addition to said IL-2, that enhances said LAK activity of said lymphocytes, said lymphokine being selected from the group consisting of .alpha.IL-1, .beta.IL-1, .beta.-IFN and .gamma.-IFN.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.