Advanced Magnetics, Inc.

Philip M Enriquez

Chu W Jung

Lee Josephson

Ernest V Groman

Jerome M Lewis

Edward T Menz

Stephen Palmacci

This invention relates to a method of directing a therapeutic agent to selected cells, wherein a complex is formed between a polysaccharide capable of interacting with a cell receptor and a therapeutic agent. The resulting complex is administered to a subject, and permitted to be internalized into the selected cells through a process known as receptor mediated endocytosis (RME). The polysaccharide may be, for example, arabinogalactan, gum arabic, mannan or hydrolysis products thereof; the therapeutic agent may be, for example, an antiviral agent, a nucleic acid, hormone, steroid, antibody, chemoprotective or radioprotective agent. The cell receptor may be for example, the asialoglycoprotein receptor or the mannose receptor.

Delivery of therapeutic agents to receptors using polysaccharides

Chemoactive radioprotectants are coupled to carrier molecules capable of binding cell receptors to form complexes that can be directed to specific non-target cells in a mixture of cells prior to radiation of the mixture so that target cells are selectively destroyed while the non-target cells are protected from radiation. Radioprotection of non-target cells is provided by using chemoactive radioprotectant complexes.

Directed delivery of radioprotectants using a receptor specific carrier

A substantially purified arabinogalactan, its degradative products and selected modifications thereof have been found to act as carriers for delivering therapeutic agent to cell receptors capable of receptor mediated endocytosis (RME). The arabinogalactan and its degrative products once derivatived are capable of forming a complex between the therapeutic agent and the polysaccharide such that the complex retains the ability to recognize and bind to the RME receptor.

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Sheldonville, MA, United States of America

Philip M Enriquez