Johns Hopkins University

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Ching-Tai Huang

Drew M Pardoll

Jonathan David Powell

Charles George Drake

Creg J Workman

Dario A Vignali

Hong Yu

Jonathan D Powell

Xiaoya Pan

Combinations of anti-cancer antibodies and inhibitory antibodies to CD223 overcome immune suppression in cancer patients. The inhibitory antibodies may be generated in an animal by injection of fragments of CD223. Antibodies may be monoclonal antibodies or single chain antibodies or humanized antibodies.

Methods of increasing T cell immune response in the treatment of cancer

Anti-CD223 antibodies overcome immune suppression in cancer patients. The anti-CD223 antibodies may be generated in an animal by injection of fragments of CD223. Antibodies may be monoclonal antibodies or single chain antibodies or humanized antibodies.

Methods for treatment comprising an antibody that binds CD223 protein

Mammals with cancer are treated with an antibody which specifically binds to CD223 protein and inhibits negative T cell regulatory function of CD223. The mammal may be a human. The antibody may be a monoclonal antibody. The amount of the antibody administered may be sufficient to enhance an immune T cell response to the cancer.

Method for treating cancer with an antibody to CD223 protein

Regulatory T cells (Treg) limit autoimmunity but can also attenuate the magnitude of anti-pathogen and anti-tumor immunity. Understanding the mechanism of Treg function and therapeutic manipulation of Treg in vivo requires identification of Treg selective receptors. A comparative analysis of gene expression arrays from antigen specific CD4+ T cells differentiating to either an effector/memory or a regulatory phenotype revealed Treg selective expression of LAG-3 (CD223), a CD4-related molecule that binds MHC class II. LAG-3 expression on CD4+ T cells correlates with the cells' in vitro suppressor activity, and ectopic expression of LAG-3 on CD4 T cells confers suppressor activity on the T cells. Antibodies to LAG-3 inhibit suppression both in vitro and in vivo. LAG-3 marks regulatory T cell populations and contributes to their suppressor activity.

Growing community of inventors

Taipei, Taiwan

Ching-Tai Huang