Therapy-enhancing glucan

Abstract

This invention provides a composition comprising an effective amount of glucan capable of enhancing efficacy of antibodies. This invention further provides the above compositions and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. This invention also provides a method for treating a subject with cancer comprising administrating the above-described composition to the subject. This invention provides a composition comprising effective amount of glucan capable of enhancing efficacy of vaccines. This invention also provides a method of treating a subject comprising administrating the above pharmaceutical composition to the subject. This invention provides a composition comprising effective amount of glucan capable of enhancing efficacy of natural antibodies. This invention provides a composition comprising effective amount of glucan capable of enhancing host immunity. This invention also provides a composition comprising effective amount of glucan capable of enhancing the action of an agent in preventing tissue rejection.

Description

[0001]This application is continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 621,027, filed Jul. 16, 2003, which is a continuation-in-part of International Application No. PCT / US02 / 01276, Filed 15 Jan. 2002, claiming the benefit of U.S. Ser. No. 60 / 261,911, filed on 16 Jan. 2001, and the contents of the preceding applications are incorporated by reference here into this application in their entirety.[0002]Throughout this application, various references are cited. Disclosures of these publications in their entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into this application to more fully describe the state of the art to which this invention pertains.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) selective for tumors have therapeutic potential.1,2 The introduction of hybridoma technology by Kohler and Milstein in 19753 and the advances in molecular biologic techniques have greatly expanded the potential of MoAb in human cancers. Anti-CEA antibody in colorectal cancer,4 anti-CD20 antibod...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The combination of beta-glucans with monoclonal antibodies significantly shrinks tumors and prolongs survival in xenograft models, demonstrating a synergistic effect that is dose-dependent and independent of natural killer cells, with beta-glucans being well-tolerated and inexpensive.

Problems solved by technology

Despite the availability of tumor-selective monoclonal antibodies and the ample supply of phagocytes / natural killers, shrinkage of established tumors following antibody treatment alone, and the acquisition of specific immunity, are not common in both preclinical models and cancer patients.

In addition, they have not yet been tested for their in vivo immunomodulatory effects in cancer models.

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