CD33 Antibodies And Use Of Same To Treat Cancer

Abstract

The invention provides murine, chimeric, and humanized antibodies that specifically bind to CD33. The antibodies are useful for treatment and diagnoses of various cancers as well as detecting CD33.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 649,110, filed May 18, 2012.BACKGROUND[0002]CD33 is a 67 kDa plasma membrane protein that binds to sialic acid and is a member of the sialic acid-binding Ig-related lectin (SIGLEC) family of proteins. CD33 is known to be expressed on myeloid cells. CD33 expression has also been reported on a number of malignant cells. Although CD33 has been targeted for treatment of cancer, e.g., acute myeloid leukemia, no effective CD33-targeted treatments are currently on the market. The present invention solves these and other problems.SUMMARY OF THE CLAIMED INVENTION[0003]Provided herein are monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind to the human CD33 protein and methods of using those antibodies to treat cancers that express the CD33 protein. The monoclonal antibodies contain complementarity determining regions (CDRs) of SEQ ID NOs:19, 20 and 21 in the heavy chain variable r...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes monoclonal antibodies that target the CD33 protein, which is found in high amounts in cancer cells such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). These antibodies can be used to treat these cancers by administering them to patients. The antibodies have specific regions called CDRs that are important for their function. The patent also describes a humanized antibody called h2H12, which has a mature heavy chain variable region that is at least 90% identical to another antibody called HI, and a mature light chain variable region that is at least 90% identical to LG. This humanized antibody has been shown to have improved properties in treating CD33-expressing cancers. The patent also mentions that the humanized antibodies can be conjugated to cytotoxic or cytostatic agents, such as DNA minor groove binders, and that they can be administered to patients as a pharmaceutical composition.

Problems solved by technology

Although CD33 has been targeted for treatment of cancer, e.g., acute myeloid leukemia, no effective CD33-targeted treatments are currently on the market.

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