The United States of America As Represented by the Department of Health

National Institutes of Health, a Component of the US Dept. of Health & Human Services

The Ohio State University

Brian J Czerniecki

Charles L Carter

Peter A Cohen

Gretchen N Schwartz

David E Weng

Gary K Koski

John O Ojeifo

Hyun K Kim

Edward W Martin

Daniel H Fowler

Pierre L Triozzi

Julian A Kim

The present invention relates to methods of increasing the antigen presenting ability of leukemia cells by contacting them with an agent which increases the intracellular calcium level. Methods of treating leukemia are also disclosed.

Method for increasing the antigen presenting ability of leukemia cells

The present invention relates to methods of increasing the antigen presenting ability of monocytes by contacting them with an agent which increases the intracellular calcium level. Methods of obtaining the monocytes are also disclosed. In addition, the present invention relates to methods of inducing bone marrow progenitor cells and endothelial cells to express molecules involved in generating immune responses. Methods of modulating the expression of molecules involved in generating immune responses are also disclosed, as are methods of treating cancer and leukemia.

Method for inducing monocytes to exhibit the phenotype of activated

The present invention is directed to a method for reliably determining lymph nodes enriched in tumor reactive cells, e.g., CD4+tumor-specific lymphocytes. This method includes the steps of administering to a patient an effective amount of a radiolabeled locator which specifically binds a marker produced by or associated with neoplastic tissue. Time is permitted to elapse following the administration for the radiolabeled locator to preferentially concentrate in any neoplastic tissue and for unbound radiolabeled locator to be cleared, so as to increase the ratio of photon emissions from neoplastic tissue to background photon emissions in the patient. After the time has elapsed, the patient is accessed with a radiation detection probe for determining lymph node sites exhibiting accretion of the radiolabeled locator by detecting with the probe elevated levels of radiation at the lymph node sites. The lymph node sites exhibiting such elevated levels of radiation are removed and subjected to gross visual analysis, though such sites alternatively may be subjected to histological analysis. Those determined and removed lymph nodes that also are determined to be tumor-free by gross observation or free of gross metastatic disease are selected and cultured to proliferate tumor reactive cells. The selected lymph nodes are subjected to mitogenic stimulation. The lymph nodes are cultured in the presence of Interleukin-2, anti-CD.sub.3 monoclonal antibody, and neoplastic tissue which may be autologous or allogeneic tumor. The tumor reactive cells, proliferated can be used with adoptive immunotherapy regimens for mitigating the progression of tumor.

Determination of lymph nodes enriched in tumor reactive cells their

A method of isolating dendritic cells is described. This method involves elutriating peripheral blood samples in at least four flow rates from an elutriation rotor. Calcium ionophore is used to stimulate monocytes isolated during the process into dendritic cells. Treatments for diseases involving re-introduction of activated dentritic cells are also described.

Method for isolating dendritic cells

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Haddenfield, NJ, United States of America

Brian J Czerniecki