Methods for enhancing antigen-presenting cells and anti-tumor responses in a human patient

US6838081B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• The Regents of the University of California · US

Inventors

• Michael Roth · Herbstein, DE
• Robert Alan Figlin · Los Angeles, US
• Sylvia Marie Kiertscher · Los Angeles, US
• Barbara Jennifer GITLITZ · Los Angeles, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 2, 1999
• Grant date: Jan 4, 2005
• Expiry date: Apr 2, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61K2039/55522
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The present invention provides methods for enhancing the development of APC from precursor cells by administering a combination of GM-CSF and IL-4. The precursor cells include: cells contained in peripheral blood, CD14+ cells and precursors in bone marrow. Thus, administration of GM-CSF and IL-4 can be used as a form of cytokine immunotherapy. One embodiment of the present invention involves systemic administration of GM-CSF and IL-4. In this embodiment, APC are required to directly access tumor antigens as they exist in vivo within the patient. A further embodiment of the present invention involves co-administration of a tumor-associated or tumor-specific antigen, with GM-CSF and IL-4, to induce antigen-specific immunity mediated by APC. Yet another embodiment of the present invention describes systemic administration of GM-CSF and IL-4 to achieve reduced tumor burden.