Xoma Corporation

Research Development Foundation

Xoma Technology Ltd.

Gary M Studnicka

Stephen Fitzhugh Carroll

Marc D Better

Roger G Little, Ii

Fred R Kohn

Dianne M Fishwild

The present invention provides purified and isolated polynucleotides encoding Type I ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) and analogs of the RIPs having a cysteine available for disulfide bonding to targeting molecules. Vectors comprising the polynucleotides and host cells transformed with the vectors are also provided. The RIPs and RIP analogs are particularly suited for use as components of cytotoxic therapeutic agents of the invention which include gene fusion products and immunoconjugates. Cytotoxic therapeutic agents or immunotoxins according to the present invention may be used to selectively eliminate any cell type to which the RIP component is targeted by the specific binding capacity of the second component of the agent, and are suited for treatment of diseases where the elimination of a particular cell type is a goal, such as autoimmune disease, cancer and graft-versus-host disease.

Immunotoxins comprising ribosome-inactivating proteins

The present invention provides purified and isolated polynucleotides encoding Type I ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPS) and analogs of the RIPs having a cysteine available for disulfide bonding to targeting molecules. Vectors comprising the polynucleotides and host cells transformed with the vectors are also provided. The RIPs and RIP analogs are particularly suited for use as components of cytotoxic therapeutic agents of the invention which include gene fusion products and immunoconjugates. Cytotoxic therapeutic agents or immunotoxins according to the present invention may be used to selectively eliminate any cell type to which the RIP component is targeted by the specific binding capacity of the second component of the agent, and are suited for treatment of diseases where the elimination of a particular cell type is a goal, such as autoimmune disease, cancer and graft-versus-host disease.

Methods are described for identifying the amino acid residues of an antibody variable domain which may be modified without diminishing the native affinity of the domain for antigen while reducing its immunogenicity with respect to a heterologous species and for preparing so modified antibody variable domains which are useful for administration to heterologous species. Antibody variable regions prepared by the methods of the invention are also described.

Modified antibody variable domains

Polynucleotides encoding gelonin sequences

Modified antibody variable domains and therapeutic uses thereof

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Santa Monica, CA, United States of America

Gary M Studnicka