Immunotherapy for reversing immune suppression

Abstract

A method for overcoming immune suppression includes the steps of inducing production of naïve T cells and restoring T cell immunity. A method of vaccine immunotherapy includes the steps of inducing production of naïve T cells and exposing the naïve T cells to endogenous or exogenous antigens at an appropriate site. Additionally, a method for unblocking immunization at a regional lymph node includes the steps of promoting differentiation and maturation of immature dendritic cells at a regional lymph node and allowing presentation of processed peptides by resulting mature dendritic cells, thus, for example, exposing tumor peptides to T cells to gain immunization of the T cells. Further, a method of treating cancer and other persistent lesions includes the steps of administering an effective amount of a natural cytokine mixture as an adjuvant to endogenous or exogenous administered antigen to the cancer or other persistent lesions; preferably the natural cytokine mixture is administered in combination with thymosin α1.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 344,509, filed Oct. 26, 2001, which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Technical Field[0003]The present invention relates to vaccine therapy for cancer patients and patients having persistent lesions, such as infections. More specifically, the present invention relates to a vaccine immunotherapy that immunizes patients, having immune suppression, to both endogenous and exogenous tumor peptides or proteins, as well as those derived from other persistent lesions.[0004]2. Background Art[0005]It has become increasingly apparent that human cancers have antigens, which, if reacted upon by the host's immune systems, lead to tumor regression. These antigens have been defined by both serological and cellular immune approaches. This has led to the definition of both B and T cell epitopes (...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a method for restoring T cell immunity and overcoming immune depression by inducing production of naïve T cells. This can be used for vaccine immunotherapy and unblocking immunization at a regional lymph node. Additionally, the invention provides a method of treating cancer and other persistent lesions by administering a natural cytokine mixture as an adjuvant to endogenous or exogenously administered antigen."

Problems solved by technology

It has become increasingly apparent that human cancers have antigens, which, if reacted upon by the host's immune systems, lead to tumor regression.

However, historically, successful efforts have been sporadic and generally minor in frequency and magnitude.

A fundamental problem in the effort to immunize cancer patients is that the tumor-bearing state is associated with immunosuppressive mechanisms derived from both the tumor and the host's disturbed immune system (Kavanaugh, D Y, et al., Hematol-Oncol Clinics of North Amer., 10(4):927-951 (1996)), thereby making immunization difficult, and until now, impossible on a consistent basis.

However, all of these strategies are complex and deviate significantly from the conventional immunization strategies used for infectious diseases (Weber, J Tumor Medscape Anthology, 3:2 (2000)).

However, use of this vaccine in patients with metastatic breast and ovarian cancers has yielded major clinical responses in a low percentage of patients.

It is generally considered ineffective in squamous cell head and neck cancer, cervical cancer, and in prostate cancer.

The latter is nearly impossible on a routine basis despite 30 years of intense effort.

Nevertheless, the success rate of such treatments is negligible and inconsistent (<30%).

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