Biogen Ma Inc.

Genentech, Inc.

Biogen Idec Ma Inc.

Leonid Gorelik

Meena Subramanyam

Kenneth J Simon

Mia Marie Rushe

Alexey Alexandrovich Lugovskoy

Tatiana Novobrantseva

Yen-Ming Hsu

Susan L Kalled

Tatiana Plavina

Flavius Martin

Margot Brickelmaier

John P Carulli

Teresa Compton

Joanne Quan

John Carulli

The invention relates to methods and reagents for analyzing samples for the presence of JC virus antibodies.

Assay for JC virus antibodies

The disclosure relates to methods and reagents for analyzing samples for the presence of JC virus antibodies. Disclosed is a method that includes obtaining a biological sample from a subject (e.g., plasma, serum, blood, urine, or cerebrospinal fluid), contacting the sample with highly purified viral-like particles (HPVLPs) under conditions suitable for binding of a JCV antibody in the sample to an HPVLP, and detecting the level of JCV antibody binding in the sample to HPVLP. In one embodiment, determining the level of anti-JCV antibodies in the subject sample provides a method of identifying PML risk in a subject.

The invention relates to methods of assessing a patient's risk of developing Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML).

Method of assessing risk of PML

Methods and compositions for determining whether a subject is at risk for PML, including subjects being treated with immunosuppressants, by determining whether the subject harbors a JCV variant with reduced binding for sialic acid relative to a normal JCV, are presented. Furthermore, combinations of JCV-VP1 sequence variations that are associated with PML and that can be used as a basis of an assay for identifying subjects susceptible to PML, subjects with PML (e.g., early stage PML), or subjects at risk of developing PML in response to an immunosuppressive treatment are provided.

Methods for the detection of JC polyoma virus

The invention relates to compositions, methods, and kits for treating subjects infected by or at risk of infection with a DNA virus (e.g., a JC Virus or a BK virus). Aspects of the invention are useful to prevent or treat DNA virus associated conditions (e.g., PML) in subjects that are immunocompromised. Compositions are provided that inhibit intracellular replication of DNA viruses.

Compositions and methods for the treatment of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML)

BAFF plays a central role in acquired immunity. The disclosure identifies BAFF-responsive genes that are substantially upregulated by administration of BAFF and substantially downregulated by treatment with a BAFF antagonist. Specific genes are: NF-&#x3ba;B2, CD23, H2-M&#x3b2; (the beta chain of H2-DM), Fig-1, and OBF-1. The disclosure provides methods and compositions for: monitoring the activity of a BAFF antagonist in a mammal; monitoring BAFF activity in a mammal; identifying a mammal to be treated with a BAFF antagonist; and related uses. Such methods include detecting one or more molecules selected from the group consisting of Fig-1 molecule, OBF-1 molecule, and H2-M&#x3b2; molecule in a biological sample of the mammal, and optionally further detecting NF-&#x3ba;B2 molecule and/or CD23 molecule in the biological sample.

Growing community of inventors

Quincy, MA, United States of America

Leonid Gorelik