Oncogen

Margit Ann Gayle

Henry Perry Fell, Jr

The present invention relates to methods of providing a targeted, amplified antitumor immune response using antibody-based fusion proteins. More specifically, the invention relates to the use of antibody-based fusion proteins comprising an immunoglobulin portion capable of binding to a tumor antigen linked to a biologically active lymphokine. The immunoglobulin portion targets the fusion protein to the site of the tumor cells and the lymphokine portion stimulates the proliferation of immune T cells at the site of the tumor cells, thereby amplifying the anti-tumor immune response. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the immunoglobulin portion of the fusion protein is derived from the L6 monoclonal antibody and/or the lymphokine is interleukin-2.

Therapeutic antibody based fusion proteins

The present invention relates to antibody-based fusion proteins wherein a portion of an immunoglobulin molecule is linked to a biologically active ligand. In particular embodiments of the invention, the fusion protein comprises a portion of an antibody which recognizes a cell surface antigen linked to a ligand which is a lymphokine or a cellular factor. A preferred embodiment of the fusion protein comprises the variable region of the anti-tumor monoclonal antibody L6 and an active lymphokine molecule such as IL-2. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fusion protein comprises the variable region of the L6 monoclonal antibody and active platelet factor 4. The antibody-based fusion proteins of the invention may be used therapeutically to deliver biologically active ligands to a specific target cell or tissue.

Growing community of inventors

Woodinville, WA, United States of America

Margit Ann Gayle