Combination therapy for treatment of autoimmune diseases using B cell depleting/immunoregulatory anti-body combination

Abstract

The present invention relates to the treatment of autoimmune diseases with a combination of an immunomodulatory antibody (such as an anti-B7.1 or anti-B7.2 or anti-CD40L antibody) and at least one B-cell antibody (such as CD19, CD20, CD22, CD23 or CD37), wherein These antibodies may be administered alone or in combination and in either order for extended periods of time.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications

[0002] This application is related to a U.S. Provisional Application entitled "Combination Therapy for the Treatment of Autoimmune Diseases Comprising a CD40L Antagonist and Antibodies against B7, CD19, CD20, CD22, or CD23," filed September 18, 2000, in the name of Nabil Hanna No. 60 / 233,607 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 257,147, filed December 22, 2000, in the name of Nabil Hanna, entitled "Combination Therapies Using B-Cell Depleting / Immunomodulatory Antibody Combinations for the Treatment of Autoimmune Diseases" concerned and claim its priority. field of invention

[0003] The present invention provides a new combined therapy for treating autoimmune diseases. Specifically, the present invention relates to the combined use of immunomodulatory antibodies (preferably antibodies that regulate T and / or B cell differentiation, proliferation and / or function) and B cell depleting antibodies (B cell depleting antibody) for...