Lectin compositions and methods for modulating an immune response to an antigen

Abstract

The present invention also relates to a method of reducing metastases in a subject comprising administering to the subject a composition comprising a multifunctional molecule comprising a first part which is capable of binding to an antigen bearing target and a second part which is capable of binding to a cell.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application is a continuation application to U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 10 / 666,898, filed Sep. 19, 2003, which is a divisional application to U.S. Utility Application with Ser. No. 10 / 645,000, filed Aug. 20, 2003, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional applications 60 / 404,823, filed Aug. 20, 2002 and 60 / 487,407, filed Jul. 15, 2003, the entirety of each is hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Typically, the specific modulation of an immune response to an antigen in a subject requires the administration of another substance, e.g. an adjuvant, in admixture with the antigen in order to initiate and / or direct the modulation. Traditional adjuvants, though, have a number of weaknesses. For example, many are crude, heterogeneous preparations. In addition, many are relatively weak immunomodulators, and some cause severe local inflammation that is unacceptable in humans. Purified soluble polypeptides, such as cytoki...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0047]As used herein, the term “modulating an immune response” to a selected antigen using the methods and compositions of the invention means rendering the response more or less efficient, more or less rapid, greater or lesser in magnitude, and / or more or less easily induced than the response obtained from administration of a composition which is identical in every respect except that it does not comprise a multifunctional molecule of the invention. In a preferred embodiment, the response is between about 5 and 100%, or preferably between about 5 and 50% or more preferably between about 5 and 25% more or less efficient, more or less rapid, greater or lesser in magnitude, and / or more or less easily induced than the response obtained from administration of a composition which is identical in every respect except that it does not comprise a multifunctional molecule of the invention.

[0065]The invention provides, a method of reducing the number of metastasis in an animal comprising administering to said animal a composition comprising a cell comprising an antigen, said composition further comprising a fusion protein comprising a lectin and a ligand for a cell surface protein.

[0068]In another aspect, the invention encompasses a method of reducing the number of metastases in a population of subjects comprising the step of administering to one or more subjects any of the compositions described herein e.g. a composition comprising a multifunctional molecule of the invention or a nucleic acid molecule encoding a multifunctional molecule of the invention. Typically, such a composition will further comprise an antigen associated with the disease, or a nucleic acid encoding such an antigen. The method may comprise any of the methods of administering a composition, modulating an immune response, or treating a disease described herein.

[0073]Thus, in another aspect the invention encompasses preventing or treating a disease in a subject by administering to the subject any of the compositions described herein, e.g. a composition comprising a multifunctional molecule of the invention or a nucleic acid molecule encoding a multifunctional molecule of the invention. Typically, such a composition will further comprise an antigen associated with the disease, or a nucleic acid encoding such an antigen. The disease may be, for example, a benign or malignant tumor, an infectious disease, an allergy, or an autoimmune disease. “Treating a disease” means decreasing morbidity or mortality associated with the disease in a patient or population afflicted with the disease. For example, survival, relapse-free survival, or disease-free survival may be prolonged by, e.g., at least about 10%, at least about 20%, 30%, 50%, 70%, 90%, and up to at least 100%, or the number of metastases may be reduced by, e.g., at least about 10%, at least about 20%, 30%, 50%, 70%, 90%, and up to at least 100%. For preventive applications, the incidence of the targeted disease may be reduced by, e.g., at least about 10%, at least about 20%, 30%, 50%, 70%, 90%, and up to at least 100%.

Problems solved by technology

Traditional adjuvants, though, have a number of weaknesses.

In addition, many are relatively weak immunomodulators, and some cause severe local inflammation that is unacceptable in humans.

Purified soluble polypeptides, such as cytokines, have some advantages over crude adjuvants, but their value is limited because they diffuse away from the antigen upon administration.

While certain cell-surface molecules may be potential immunomodulators as components of cell-based vaccines, their application generally involves gene transfer into the cells, which is often problematic.

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