U.S. patent application number 11/769326 was filed with the patent office on 2009-02-19 for recombinant il-9 antibodies and uses thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to MEDIMMUNE, INC.. Invention is credited to Julian Davies, Jennifer Lynne REED, Ying Tang, Jeffry D. Watkins, Herren Wu.
Application Number | 20090047277 11/769326 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33303072 |
Filed Date | 2009-02-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090047277 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
REED; Jennifer Lynne ; et
al. |
February 19, 2009 |
RECOMBINANT IL-9 ANTIBODIES AND USES THEREOF
Abstract
The present invention provides novel antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide and compositions
comprising said antibodies. The present invention also provides
methods and compositions preventing, treating, managing, and/or
ameliorating diseases and disorders associated with aberrant
expression and/or activity of IL 9 or IL-9 receptor or subunits
thereof, autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, proliferative
diseases, and infections comprising administration of one or more
antibodies thereof that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9
polypeptide. The invention also encompasses methods and
compositions for diagnosing, monitoring, and prognosing these
disorders. The present invention further relates to articles of
manufacture and kits comprising antibodies that immunospecifically
bind to an IL-9 polypeptide.
Inventors: |
REED; Jennifer Lynne;
(Clarksburg, MD) ; Wu; Herren; (Boyds, MD)
; Tang; Ying; (San Diego, CA) ; Davies;
Julian; (San Diego, CA) ; Watkins; Jeffry D.;
(Encinitas, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MEDIMMUNE, LLC;Jonathan Klein-Evans
ONE MEDIMMUNE WAY
GAITHERSBURG
MD
20878
US
|
Assignee: |
MEDIMMUNE, INC.
Gaithersburg
MD
|
Family ID: |
33303072 |
Appl. No.: |
11/769326 |
Filed: |
June 27, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10823253 |
Apr 12, 2004 |
7354584 |
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11769326 |
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60477797 |
Jun 10, 2003 |
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60462259 |
Apr 11, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
424/133.1 ;
435/7.1; 530/387.3; 530/391.3; 530/391.7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61P 19/02 20180101;
A61P 25/28 20180101; C07K 2317/76 20130101; A61P 37/08 20180101;
A61K 2039/505 20130101; A61P 31/04 20180101; A61P 35/00 20180101;
A61P 31/10 20180101; A61P 11/06 20180101; A61P 37/00 20180101; A61P
31/00 20180101; A61P 11/00 20180101; A61P 29/00 20180101; A61K
45/06 20130101; C07K 16/244 20130101; C07K 2317/24 20130101; A61P
31/16 20180101; A61P 37/02 20180101; A61P 25/00 20180101; A61K
39/3955 20130101; C07K 2317/92 20130101; A61P 43/00 20180101; G01N
33/6869 20130101; A61P 37/06 20180101; A61P 31/12 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
424/133.1 ;
530/387.3; 530/391.3; 530/391.7; 435/7.1 |
International
Class: |
A61K 39/395 20060101
A61K039/395; C07K 16/18 20060101 C07K016/18; G01N 33/53 20060101
G01N033/53; A61P 43/00 20060101 A61P043/00 |
Claims
1. An IL-9 antibody comprising a variable heavy (VH) domain having
an amino acid sequence of the VH domain of 4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11,
4D4com-XF9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 22D3, 7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5,
or 7F3com-3D4, wherein the said antibody immunospecifically binds
to a human IL-9 polypeptide.
2. An IL-9 antibody comprising a variable light (VL) domain having
an amino acid sequence of the VL domain of 4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11,
4D4com-XF9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 22D3, 7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5,
or 7F3com-3D4, wherein the said antibody immunospecifically binds
to a human IL-9 polypeptide.
3. The IL-9 antibody of claim 1 further comprising a VL domain
having an amino acid sequence of the VL domain of 4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11,
4D4com-XF9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 22D3, 7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5,
or 7F3com-3D4.
4-13. (canceled)
14. An IL-9 antibody comprising a VH CDR1, VH CDR2 and a VH CDR3
having the amino acid sequence of a VH CDR1, VH CDR2 and VH CDR3 of
any one of: 4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11, 4D4com-XF9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10,
22D3, 7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5, or 7F3com-3D4.
15-27. (canceled)
28. An IL-9 antibody comprising a VL CDR1, VL CDR2, and VL CDR3
having the amino acid sequence of a VL CDR1, VL CDR2, and VL CDR3
of any one of: 4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11, 4D4com-XF9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3,
71A10, 22D3, 7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5, or 7F3com-3D4.
29. The IL-9 antibody of claim 14, wherein the antibody further
comprises a VL CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of a VL CDR1 of
4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11, 4D4com-XF9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 22D3,
7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5, or 7F3com-3D4.
30. The IL-9 antibody of claim 14, wherein the antibody further
comprises a VL CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of a VL CDR2 of
4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11, 4D4com-XF9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 22D3,
7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5, or 7F3com-3D4.
31. The IL-9 antibody of claim 14, wherein the antibody further
comprises a VL CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of a VL CDR3 of
4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11, 4D4com-XF9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 22D3,
7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5, or 7F3com-3D4.
32. The IL-9 antibody of claim 29, wherein the antibody further
comprises a VL CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of a VL CDR2 of
4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11, 4D4com-XF9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 22D3,
7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5, or 7F3com-3D4.
33. The IL-9 antibody of claim 29, wherein the antibody further
comprises a VL CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of a VL CDR3 of
4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11, 4D4com-XF9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 22D3,
7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5, or 7F3com-3D4.
34. The IL-9 antibody of claim 30, wherein the antibody further
comprises a VL CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of a VL CDR3 of
4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11, 4D4com-XF9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 22D3,
7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5, or 7F3com-3D4.
35-42. (canceled)
43. The IL-9 antibody of claim 28, wherein the antibody further
comprises a VH CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of a VH CDR1 of
4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11, 4D4com-XF9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 22D3,
7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5, or 7F3com-3D4.
44. The IL-9 antibody of claim 28, wherein the antibody further
comprises a VH CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of a VH CDR2 of
4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11, 4D4com-XF9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 22D3,
7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5, or 7F3com-3D4.
45. The IL-9 antibody of claim 28, wherein the antibody further
comprises a VH CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of a VH CDR3 of
4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11, 4D4com-XF9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 22D3,
7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5, or 7F3com-3D4.
46. The IL-9 antibody of claim 43, wherein the antibody further
comprises a VH CDR2 having an amino acid sequence of a VH CDR2 of
4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11, 4D4com-XF9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 22D3,
7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5, or 7F3com-3D4.
47. The IL-9 antibody of claim 43, wherein the antibody further
comprises a VH CDR3 having an amino acid sequence of a VH CDR3 of
4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11, 4D4com-XF9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 22D3,
7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5, or 7F3com-3D4.
48. The IL-9 antibody of claim 44, wherein the antibody further
comprises a VH CDR3 having an amino acid sequence of a VH CDR3 of
4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11, 4D4com-XF9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 22D3,
7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5, or 7F3com-3D4.
49-84. (canceled)
85. The IL-9 antibody of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the antibody is a
human or humanized antibody.
86. The IL-9 antibody of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the antibody is
conjugated to a detectable substance or a therapeutic agent.
87. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the IL-9 antibody of
claim 1, 2 or 3, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
88. A method for preventing, treating, managing and/or ameliorating
a disease or disorder characterized by aberrant expression and/or
activity of an IL-9 polypeptide or aberrant expression and/or
activity of an IL-9R, said method comprising administering to a
subject in need thereof an prophylactically or therapeutically
effective amount of the IL-9 antibody of claim 1, 2 or 3.
89. A method for preventing, treating, managing and/or ameliorating
an inflammatory disorder, autoimmune disorder, a proliferative
disorder or respiratory infection or one or more symptoms thereof,
said comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a dosage
of a prophylactically or therapeutically effective amount of the
IL-9 antibody of claim 1, 2 or 3.
90. The method of claim 89, wherein the respiratory infection is
caused by a virus or bacteria.
91. The method of claim 89, wherein the virus is respiratory
syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus or human metapneumovirus.
92. The method of claim 89, wherein the inflammatory disorder is
asthma, an allergy, arthritis or a disorder characterized by type
2-mediated inflammation.
93. The method of claim 89, wherein the autoimmune disorder is
rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis.
94. The method of claim 89 further comprising a dosage of a
prophylactically or therapeutically effective amount of one or more
prophylactic or therapeutic agents other than an IL-9 antibody.
95. The method of claim 94, wherein at least one of the
prophylactic or therapeutic agents is an anti-angiogenic agent, a
TNF-.alpha. antagonist, an immunomodulatory agent, or an
anti-inflammatory agent.
96. The method of claim 95, wherein the anti-angiogenic agent is
VITAXIN.TM..
97. The method of claim 95, wherein the immunomodulatory agent is
MEDI-507 or an anti-Epha2 antibody.
98. The method of claim 89, wherein the IL-9 antibody is
administered parenterally, intranasally or orally.
99. The method of claim 89, wherein the subject is refractory to
conventional therapies for the disease or disorder.
100. A method of diagnosing, prognosing, or monitoring a disorder
or disease characterized by aberrant expression and/or activity of
an IL-9 polypeptide or aberrant expression and/or activity of an
IL-9R comprising: (a) assaying the level of IL-9 in cells or a
tissue sample of a subject using the IL-9 antibody claim of 1, 2 or
3; and (b) comparing the assayed level of IL-9 with a control
level, whereby an increase or decrease in the assayed level of IL-9
compared to the control level of IL-9 is indicative of said
disorder or disease.
101. A kit comprising the antibody of claim 1, 2 or 3 and
instructions for use, in one or more containers.
102. An article of manufacture comprising a packaging material and
a pharmaceutical agent contained within said packaging material,
wherein said pharmaceutical agent comprises the IL-9 antibody of
claim 1, 2 or 3 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
103-110. (canceled)
111. An isolated antibody comprising a VH domain, wherein the
antibody immunospecifically binds to a human IL-9 polypeptide and
the VH domain comprises: (a) a VH CDR1 having the amino acid
sequence of the VH CDR1 of the antibody encoded by the vector
deposited as ATCC deposit No. PTA-5913 with less than 2 amino acid
substitutions; (b) a VH CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of the
VH CDR2 of the antibody encoded by the vector deposited as ATCC
deposit No. PTA-5913 with less than 2 amino acid substitutions; and
(c) a VH CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of the VH CDR3 of the
antibody encoded by the vector deposited as ATCC deposit No.
PTA-5913 with less than 2 amino acid substitutions.
112. An isolated antibody comprising a VL domain, wherein the
antibody immunospecifically binds to a human IL-9 polypeptide and
the VL domain comprises: (a) a VL CDR1 having the amino acid
sequence of the VL CDR1 of the antibody encoded by the vector
deposited as ATCC deposit No. PTA-5913 with less than 2 amino acid
substitutions; (b) a VL CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of the
VL CDR2 of the antibody encoded by the vector deposited as ATCC
deposit No. PTA-5913 with less than 2 amino acid substitutions; and
(c) a VL CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of the VL CDR3 of the
antibody encoded by the vector deposited as ATCC deposit No.
PTA-5913 with less than 2 amino acid substitutions.
113. The isolated antibody of claim 111 further comprising a VL
domain.
114. The isolated antibody of claim 112 further comprising a VH
domain.
115. The isolated antibody of claim 113, wherein the VL domain
comprises: (a) a VL CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of the VL
CDR1 of the antibody encoded by the vector deposited as ATCC
deposit No. PTA-5913 with less than 2 amino acid substitutions; (b)
a VL CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of the VL CDR2 of the
antibody encoded by the vector deposited as ATCC deposit No.
PTA-5913 with less than 2 amino acid substitutions; and (c) a VL
CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of the VL CDR3 of the antibody
encoded by the vector deposited as ATCC deposit No. PTA-5913 with
less than 2 amino acid substitutions.
116. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the antibody of any
one of claims 111, 112, 113, 114, or 115.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/477,797, filed Jun. 10, 2003, U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/462,259, filed Apr. 11, 2003,
which are both incorporated by reference herein in their
entireties.
1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention provides antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide and compositions
comprising said antibodies. The invention also provides
prophylactic and therapeutic protocols to prevent, treat, manage,
and/or ameliorate various disorders or one or more symptoms
thereof, said protocols comprising the administration of antibodies
that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide alone or in
combination with other therapies. In particular, the present
invention provides methods for preventing, treating, managing,
and/or ameliorating symptoms associated with an inflammatory
disorder (e.g., asthma) or a respiratory infection, said methods
comprising administering to a human subject an effective amount of
one or more antibodies thereof that immunospecifically bind to an
IL-9 polypeptide. The present invention also provides
pharmaceutical compositions comprising antibodies or fragments
thereof that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide for the
prevention, treatment, management, and/or amelioration of various
disorders. The invention further provides methods for detecting or
diagnosing IL-9 expression and disorders associated with aberrant
IL-9 expression utilizing compositions comprising antibodies or
fragments thereof that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9
polypeptide. The present invention further relates to articles of
manufacture and kits comprising antibodies that immunospecifically
bind to an L-9 polypeptide for use in the prevention, management,
treatment, and/or amelioration of various disorders.
2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
2.1 Autoimmune Disorders
[0003] Autoimmune diseases are caused when the body's immune
system, which is meant to defend the body against bacteria,
viruses, and any other foreign product, malfunctions and produces
antibodies against healthy tissue, cells and organs. Antibodies, T
cells and macrophages provide beneficial protection, but can also
produce harmful or deadly immunological responses.
[0004] The principle mechanisms by which auto-antibodies can
produce an autoimmune disease are complement-dependent lytic
destruction of the target cell, opsonization, formation of immune
complexes, blockade of receptor sites for physiological ligands,
and stimulation of cell surface receptors. The auto-antibody can
bind to cell surface receptors and either inhibit or stimulate the
specialized function of the cell (Paul, W. E. Ed., 1989,
Fundamental Immunology, Raven Press, New York, Chapter 31, p.
839).
[0005] Autoimmune diseases can be organ specific or systemic and
are provoked by different pathogenic mechanisms. Organ specific
autoimmunization is characterized by tolerance and suppression
within the T cell compartment, aberrant expression of
major-histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens, antigenic mimicry
and allelic variations in MHC genes. Systemic autoimmune diseases
involve polyclonal B cell activation and abnormalities of
immunoregulatory T cells, T cell receptors and MHC genes. Examples
of organ specific autoimmune diseases are diabetes, Hashimoto's
disease, autoimmune adrenal insufficiency, pure red cell anemia,
multiple sclerosis and rheumatic carditis. Representative systemic
autoimmune diseases are systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid
arthritis, chronic inflammation, Sjogren's syndrome polymyositis,
dermatomyositis and scleroderma.
[0006] Current treatment of autoimmune diseases involves
administering immunosuppressive agents such as cortisone, aspirin
derivatives, hydroxychloroquine, methotrexate, azathioprine and
cyclophsophamide or combinations thereof. The dilemma faced when
administering immunosuppressive agents, however, is the more
effectively the autoimmune disease is treated, the more defenseless
the patient is left to attack from infections. Thus, there is a
need for an effective treatment for autoimmune diseases that does
not compromise the patient's immune system.
2.2 Inflammatory Disorders
[0007] Inflammation plays a fundamental role in host defenses and
the progression of immune-mediated diseases. The inflammatory
response is initiated by tissue injury (e.g., trauma, ischemia, and
foreign particles) and infection by a complex cascade of events,
including chemical mediators (e.g., cytokines and postaglandins)
and inflammatory cells (e.g., leukocytes). The inflammatory
response is characterized by increased blood flow, increased
capillary permeability, and influx of phagocytic cells. These
events result in swelling, redness, warmth, and pus formation at
the site of injury or infection.
[0008] A delicate well-balanced interplay between the humoral and
cellular immune elements in the inflammatory response enables the
elimination of harmful agents and the initiation of the repair of
damaged tissue. When this delicately balanced interplay is
disrupted, the inflammatory response may result in considerable
damage to normal tissue and may be more harmful than the original
injury or infection that triggered the initial inflammatory
reaction. In these cases of uncontrolled inflammatory responses,
clinical intervention is needed to prevent tissue damage and organ
dysfunction. Diseases and disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis,
osteoarthritis, Crohn's disease, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel
disease, asthma, and allergies are characterized by
inflammation.
[0009] Current therapies for inflammatory disorders involve
symptomatic medications and immunosuppressive agents to control
symptoms. For example, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
(NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, fenoprofen, naproxen,
tolmetin, sulindac, meclofenamate sodium, piroxicam, flurbiprofen,
diclofenac, oxaprozin, nabumetone, etodolac, and ketoprofen that
have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects are used to treat
inflammatory disorders. However, NSAIDs are believed not to be
capable of altering progression of the disease. (Tierney et al.
(eds.), Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment, 37 ed., Appleton
& Lange (1998), p 793). Moreover, NSAIDs frequently cause
gastrointestinal side effects, affect the lower intestinal tract
causing perforation or aggravating inflammatory bowel disease,
produce renal toxicity and prolong bleeding time. Corticosteroids
are another class of drugs that are commonly used to control
inflammatory symptoms. Corticosteroids, like NSAIDs, do not alter
the natural progression of the disease, and thus, clinical
manifestations of active disease commonly reappear when the drug is
discontinued. The serious problem of negative reactions resulting
from prolonged corticosteroid therapy (e.g., osteoporosis,
increased risk of infection, increased appetite, hypertension,
edema, peptic ulcers, and psychoses) greatly limits its long-term
use.
[0010] Low doses of immunosuppressive agents such as cytotoxic
agents are also commonly used to in treatment of inflammatory
disorders. For example, methotrexate, an antagonist of folic acid,
is often used in treatment of psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and
other inflammatory diseases. Methotrexate, like other cytotoxic
agents, frequently causes stomatitis, erythema, slopecia, nausea,
vomiting, diarrhea, and damage to major organs such kidney and
liver. The long-term usage of immunosuppressive agents usually
leaves the patient defenseless to infections.
[0011] New therapies for inflammatory disorders are constantly
being sought. In particular, any new treatment that reduces the
dosage and/or frequency of administration of agents currently being
used, or is capable of making a currently used treatment more
effective is constantly being sought.
[0012] 2.2.1 Asthma
[0013] About 12 million people in the U.S. have asthma and it is
the leading cause of hospitalization for children. The Merck Manual
of Diagnosis and Therapy (17th ed., 1999).
[0014] Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the lung that is
characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness ("AHR"),
bronchoconstriction (i.e., wheezing), eosinophilic inflammation,
mucus hypersecretion, subepithelial fibrosis, and elevated IgE
levels. Asthmatic attacks can be triggered by environmental factors
(e.g. acarids, insects, animals (e.g., cats, dogs, rabbits, mice,
rats, hamsters, guinea pigs, mice, rats, and birds), fungi, air
pollutants (e.g., tobacco smoke), irritant gases, fumes, vapors,
aerosols, or chemicals, or pollen), exercise, or cold air. The
cause(s) of asthma is unknown. However, it has been speculated that
family history of asthma (London et al., 2001, Epidemiology
12(5):577-83), early exposure to allergens, such as dust mites,
tobacco smoke, and cockroaches (Melen et al., 2001, 56(7):646-52),
and respiratory infections (Wenzel et al., 2002, Am J Med,
112(8):672-33 and Lin et al., 2001, J Microbiol Immuno Infect,
34(4):259-64) may increase the risk of developing asthma.
[0015] Asthma may be identified by recurrent wheezing and
intermittent air flow limitation. An asthmatic tendency may be
quantified by the measurement of bronchial hyper-rsponsiveness in
which an individual's dose-response curve to a broncho-constrictor
such as histamine or methacholine is constricted. The curve is
commonly summarized by the dose which results in a 20% fall in air
flow (PD.sub.2O) or the slope of the curve between the initial air
flow measurement and the last dose given (slope).
[0016] Current therapies are mainly aimed at managing asthma and
include the administration of .beta.-adrenergic drugs (e.g.
epinephrine and isoproterenol), theophylline, anticholinergic drugs
(e.g., atropine and ipratorpium bromide), corticosteroids, and
leukotriene inhibitors. These therapies are associated with side
effects such as drug interactions, dry mouth, blurred vision,
growth suppression in children, and osteoporosis in menopausal
women. Cromolyn and nedocromil are administered prophylatically to
inhibit mediator release from inflammatory cells, reduce airway
hyperresponsiveness, and block responses to allergens. However,
there are no current therapies available that prevent the
development of asthma in subjects at increased risk of developing
asthma. Thus, new therapies with fewer side effects and better
prophylactic and/or therapeutic efficacy are needed for asthma.
[0017] 2.2.2 Allergies
[0018] A common cause of inflammation are allergies.
Immune-mediated allergic (hypersensitivity) reactions are
classified into four types (I-IV) according to the underlying
mechanisms leading to the manifestation of the allergic symptoms.
Type I allergic reactions are immediate hypersensitivity reactions
characterized by IgE-mediated release of vasoactive substances such
as histamine from mast cells and basophils. Over hours, the mast
cells and basophils release proinflammatory cytokines producing
vasodilation, increased capillary permeability, glandular
hypersecretion, smooth muscle spasm, and tissue infiltration with
eosinophils and other inflammatory cells.
[0019] Type II allergic reactions are cytotoxic hypersensitivity
reactions and involve IgG or IgM antibodies bound to cell surface
antigens with subsequent complement fixation. Certain cytotoxic
cells, such as killer T cells or macrophages, are activated, bind
to cells coated with IgG and destroy the target cells. Type II
reactions may result in cytolysis or tissue damage.
[0020] Type III reactions are immune-complex reactions resulting
from deposits of circulating antigen-antibody immune complexes in
blood vessels or tissues. Acute inflammation results from the
immune-complex initiating a sequence of events that results in
polymorphonuclear cell migration and release of lysosomal
proteolytic enzymes and permeability factors in tissues.
[0021] Type IV reactions are delayed hypersensitivity reactions
caused by sensitized T lymphocytes after contact with a specific
antigen. Activated sensitized T lymphocytes cause immunologic
injury by direct toxic effect or through release of lymphokines and
other soluble substances. The activated T lymphocytes may also
release cytokines that affect the activity of macrophages,
neutrophils, and lymphoid killer cells.
[0022] Allergic reactions can be immediate, late-phase, or chronic.
Continuous or chronic exposure to an allergen can result in chronic
allergic inflammation. Tissues of sites of chronic inflammation
contain eosinophils and T cells that release mediators that can
cause tissue damage, increased inflammation, and increased
sensitivity.
[0023] Currently, allergic reactions are treated with drugs such as
antihistamines, corticosteroids, vasodilators, bronchodilators,
leukotriene inhibitors, and immunomodulators which attempt to
alleviate the symptoms associated with the allergic reaction.
Present therapies for allergic reactions produce negative side
effects or have limited use. For example, high doses of
antihistamines and corticosteroids have deleterious side effects
(e.g., central nervous system disturbance, constipation, etc.).
Vasodilators pose increased risks to patients with certain
conditions such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease,
hyperthyroidism and may cause death from cerebrovascular hemorrhage
or cardiac arrhythmia. Thus, other methods for treating allergic
reactions are needed.
2.3 Respiratory Infections
[0024] Respiratory infections are common infections of the upper
respiratory tract (e.g., nose, ears, sinuses, and throat) and lower
respiratory tract (e.g., trachea, bronchial tubes, and lungs).
Symptoms of upper respiratory infection include runny or stuffy
nose, irritability, restlessness, poor appetite, decreased activity
level, coughing, and fever. Viral upper respiratory infections
cause and/or are associated with sore throats, colds, croup, and
the flu. Examples of viruses that cause upper respiratory tract
infections include rhinoviruses and influenza viruses A and B.
Common upper respiratory bacterial infections cause and/or are
associated with, for example, whooping cough and strep throat. An
example of a bacteria that causes an upper respiratory tract
infection is Streptococcus.
[0025] Clinical manifestations of a lower respiratory infection
include shallow coughing that produces sputum in the lungs, fever,
and difficulty breathing. Examples of lower respiratory viral
infections are parainfluenza virus infections ("PIV"), respiratory
syncytial virus ("RSV") infections, and bronchiolitis (caused by
RSV, PIV, influenza virus, mycoplasma, and some adenoviruses).
Examples of bacteria that cause lower respiratory tract infections
include Streptococcus pneumoniae that causes pneumonococcal
pneumonia and Mycobacterium tuberculosis that causes tuberculosis.
Respiratory infections caused by fungi include systemic
candidiasis, blastomycosis crytococcosis, coccidioidomycosis, and
aspergillosis. Respiratory infections may be primary or secondary
infections.
[0026] Current therapies for respiratory infections involve the
administration of anti-viral agents, anti-bacterial, and
anti-fungal agents for the treatment, prevention, or amelioration
of viral, bacterial, and fungal respiratory infections,
respectively. Unfortunately, in regard to certain infections, there
are no therapies available, infections have been proven to be
refractory to therapies, or the occurrence of side effects
outweighs the benefits of the administration of a therapy to a
subject. The use of anti-bacterial agents for the treatment of
bacterial respiratory infections may also produce side effects or
result in resistant bacterial strains. The administration of
anti-fungal agents may cause renal failure or bone marrow
dysfunction and may not be effective against fungal infection in
patients with suppressed immune systems. Additionally, the
infection causing microorganism (e.g., virus, bacterium, or fungus)
may be resistant or develop resistance to the administered
therapeutic agent or combination of therapeutic agents. In fact,
microorganisms that develop resistance to administered therapeutic
agents often develop pleiotropic drug or multidrug resistance, that
is, resistance to therapeutic agents that act by mechanisms
different from the mechanisms of the administered agents. Thus, as
a result of drug resistance, many infections prove refractory to a
wide array of standard treatment protocols. Therefore, new
therapies for the treatment, prevention, and amelioration of
respiratory infections and symptoms thereof are needed.
[0027] 2.3.1 Viral Respiratory Infections
[0028] 2.3.1.1 Parainfluenza Virus Infections
[0029] Parainfluenza viral ("PIV") infection results in serious
respiratory tract disease in infants and children. (Tao et al.,
1999, Vaccine 17: 1100-08). Infectious parainfluenza viral
infections account for approximately 20% of all hospitalizations of
pediatric patients suffering from respiratory tract infections
worldwide. Id. PIV is a member of the paramyxovirus genus of the
paramyxoviridae family.
[0030] PIV is made up of two structural modules: (1) an internal
ribonucleoprotein core or nucleocapsid, containing the viral
genome, and (2) an outer, roughly spherical lipoprotein envelope.
Its genome is a single strand of negative sense RNA, approximately
15,456 nucleotides in length, encoding at least eight polypeptides.
These proteins include, but are not limited to, the nucleocapsid
structural protein (NP, NC, or N depending on the genera), the
phosphoprotein (P), the matrix protein (M), the fusion glycoprotein
(F), the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase glycoprotein (HN), the large
polymerase protein (L), and the C and D proteins of unknown
function. Id.
[0031] The parainfluenza nucleocapsid protein (NP, NC, or N)
consists of two domains within each protein unit including an
amino-terminal domain, comprising about two-thirds of the molecule,
which interacts directly with the RNA, and a carboxyl-terminal
domain, which lies on the surface of the assembled nucleocapsid. A
hinge is thought to exist at the junction of these two domains
thereby imparting some flexibility to this protein (see Fields et
al. (ed.), 1991, Fundamental Virology, 2nd ed., Raven Press, New
York, incorporated by reference herein in its entirety). The matrix
protein (M), is apparently involved with viral assembly and
interacts with both the viral membrane as well as the nucleocapsid
proteins. The phosphoprotein (P), which is subject to
phosphorylation, is thought to play a regulatory role in
transcription and may also be involved in methylation,
phosphorylation and polyadenylation. The fusion glycoprotein (F)
interacts with the viral membrane and is first produced as an
inactive precursor then cleaved post-translationally to produce two
disulfide linked polypeptides. The active F protein is also
involved in penetration of the parainfluenza virion into host cells
by facilitating fusion of the viral envelope with the host cell
plasma membrane. Id. The glycoprotein, hemagglutinin-neuraminidase
(HN), protrudes from the envelope allowing the virus to contain
both hemagglutinin and neuraminidase activities. HN is strongly
hydrophobic at its amino terminal which functions to anchor the HN
protein into the lipid bilayer. Id. Finally, the large polymerase
protein (L) plays an important role in both transcription and
replication. Id.
[0032] Currently, therapies for PIV comprises treatment of specific
symptoms. In most cases rest, fluids, and a comfortable environment
are sufficient therapy for a PIV infection. In cases in which fever
is high, acetaminophen is recommended over aspirin, especially in
children to avoid the risk of Reye's syndrome with influenza. For
croup associated with PIV infection, therapies such as humidified
air, oxygen, aerosolized racemic epinephrine, and oral
dexamethasone (a steroid) are recommended to decrease upper airway
swelling and intravenous fluids are administered for dehydration.
Therapy for bronchiolitis associated with PIV infection include
supportive therapy (e.g., oxygen, humidified air, chest clapping,
and postural drainage to remove secretions, rest, and clear fluids)
and administration of albuterol or steroids. Antibiotic,
anti-viral, and/or antifungal agents may be administered to prevent
secondary respiratory infections. See Merck Manual of Diagnosis and
Therapy (17th ed., 1999).
[0033] 2.3.1.2 Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections
[0034] Respiratory syncytial virus ("RSV") is the leading cause of
serious lower respiratory tract disease in infants and children
(Feigen et al., eds., 1987, Textbook of Pediatric Infectious
Diseases, WB Saunders, Philadelphia at pages 1653-1675; New Vaccine
Development, Establishing Priorities, Vol. 1, 1985, National
Academy Press, Washington D.C. at pages 397-409; and Ruuskanen et
al., 1993, Curr. Probl. Pediatr. 23:50-79). The yearly epidemic
nature of RSV infection is evident worldwide, but the incidence and
severity of RSV disease in a given season vary by region (Hall, C.
B., 1993, Contemp. Pediatr. 10:92-110). In temperate regions of the
northern hemisphere, it usually begins in late fall and ends in
late spring. Primary RSV infection occurs most often in children
from 6 weeks to 2 years of age and uncommonly in the first 4 weeks
of life during nosocomial epidemics (Hall et al., 1979, New Engl.
J. Med. 300:393-396). Children at increased risk from RSV infection
include, but are not limited to, preterm infants (Hall et al.,
1979, New Engl. J. Med. 300:393-396) and children with
bronchopulmonary dysplasia (Groothuis et al., 1988, Pediatrics
82:199-203), congenital heart disease (MacDonald et al., New Engl.
J. Med. 307:397-400), congenital or acquired immunodeficiency (Ogra
et al., 1988, Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J. 7:246-249; and Pohl et al.,
1992, J. Infect. Dis. 165:166-169), and cystic fibrosis (Abman et
al., 1988, J. Pediatr. 113:826-830). The fatality rate in infants
with heart or lung disease who are hospitalized with RSV infection
is 3%-4% (Navas et al., 1992, J. Pediatr. 121:348-354).
[0035] RSV infects adults as well as infants and children. In
healthy adults, RSV causes predominantly upper respiratory tract
disease. It has recently become evident that some adults,
especially the elderly, have symptomatic RSV infections more
frequently than had been previously reported (Evans, A. S., eds.,
1989, Viral Infections of Humans Epidemiology and Control, 3rd ed.,
Plenum Medical Book, New York at pages 525-544). Several epidemics
also have been reported among nursing home patients and
institutionalized young adults (Falsey, A. R., 1991, Infect.
Control Hosp. Epidemiol. 12:602-608; and Garvie et al., 1980, Br.
Med. J. 281:1253-1254). Finally, RSV may cause serious disease in
immunosuppressed persons, particularly bone marrow transplant
patients (Hertz et al., 1989, Medicine 68:269-281).
[0036] Therapies available for the treatment of established RSV
disease are limited. Severe RSV disease of the lower respiratory
tract often requires considerable supportive care, including
administration of humidified oxygen and respiratory assistance
(Fields et al., eds, 1990, Fields Virology, 2nd ed., Vol. 1, Raven
Press, New York at pages 1045-1072).
[0037] While a vaccine might prevent RSV infection, no vaccine is
yet licensed for this indication. A major obstacle to vaccine
development is safety. A formalin-inactivated vaccine, though
immunogenic, unexpectedly caused a higher and more severe incidence
of lower respiratory tract disease due to RSV in immunized infants
than in infants immunized with a similarly prepared trivalent
parainfluenza vaccine (Kim et al., 1969, Am. J. Epidemiol.
89:422-434; and Kapikian et al., 1969, Am. J. Epidemiol.
89:405-421). Several candidate RSV vaccines have been abandoned and
others are under development (Murphy et al., 1994, Virus Res.
32:13-36), but even if safety issues are resolved, vaccine efficacy
must also be improved. A number of problems remain to be solved.
Immunization would be required in the immediate neonatal period
since the peak incidence of lower respiratory tract disease occurs
at 2-5 months of age. The immaturity of the neonatal immune
response together with high titers of maternally acquired RSV
antibody may be expected to reduce vaccine immunogenicity in the
neonatal period (Murphy et al., 1988, J. Virol. 62:3907-3910; and
Murphy et al., 1991, Vaccine 9:185-189). Finally, primary RSV
infection and disease do not protect well against subsequent RSV
disease (Henderson et al., 1979, New Engl. J. Med.
300:530-534).
[0038] Currently, the only approved approach to prophylaxis of RSV
disease is passive immunization. Initial evidence suggesting a
protective role for IgG was obtained from observations involving
maternal antibody in ferrets (Prince, G. A., Ph.D. diss.,
University of California, Los Angeles, 1975) and humans (Lambrecht
et al., 1976, J. Infect. Dis. 134:211-217; and Glezen et al., 1981,
J. Pediatr. 98:708-715). Hemming et al. (Morell et al., eds., 1986,
Clinical Use of Intravenous Immunoglobulins, Academic Press, London
at pages 285-294) recognized the possible utility of RSV antibody
in treatment or prevention of RSV infection during studies
involving the pharmacokinetics of an intravenous immune globulin
(IVIG) in newborns suspected of having neonatal sepsis. They noted
that one infant, whose respiratory secretions yielded RSV,
recovered rapidly after IVIG infusion. Subsequent analysis of the
IVIG lot revealed an unusually high titer of RSV neutralizing
antibody. This same group of investigators then examined the
ability of hyperimmune serum or immune globulin, enriched for RSV
neutralizing antibody, to protect cotton rats and primates against
RSV infection (Prince et al., 1985, Virus Res. 3:193-206; Prince et
al., 1990, J. Virol. 64:3091-3092; Hemming et al., 1985, J. Infect.
Dis. 152:1083-1087; Prince et al., 1983, Infect. Immun. 42:81-87;
and Prince et al., 1985, J. Virol. 55:517-520). Results of these
studies suggested that RSV neutralizing antibody given
prophylactically inhibited respiratory tract replication of RSV in
cotton rats. When given therapeutically, RSV antibody reduced
pulmonary viral replication both in cotton rats and in a nonhuman
primate model. Furthermore, passive infusion of immune serum or
immune globulin did not produce enhanced pulmonary pathology in
cotton rats subsequently challenged with RSV.
[0039] Recent clinical studies have demonstrated the ability of
this passively administered RSV hyperimmune globulin (RSV IVIG) to
protect at-risk children from severe lower respiratory infection by
RSV (Groothius et al., 1993, New Engl. J. Med. 329:1524-1530; and
The PREVENT Study Group, 1997, Pediatrics 99:93-99). While this is
a major advance in preventing RSV infection, this therapy poses
certain limitations in its widespread use. First, RSV IVIG must be
infused intravenously over several hours to achieve an effective
dose. Second, the concentrations of active material in hyperimmune
globulins are insufficient to treat adults at risk or most children
with comprised cardiopulmonary function. Third, intravenous
infusion necessitates monthly hospital visits during the RSV
season. Finally, it may prove difficult to select sufficient donors
to produce a hyperimmune globulin for RSV to meet the demand for
this product. Currently, only approximately 8% of normal donors
have RSV neutralizing antibody titers high enough to qualify for
the production of hyperimmune globulin.
[0040] One way to improve the specific activity of the
immunoglobulin would be to develop one or more highly potent RSV
neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). Such MAbs should be
human or humanized in order to retain favorable pharmacokinetics
and to avoid generating a human anti-mouse antibody response, as
repeat dosing would be required throughout the RSV season. Two
glycoproteins, F and G, on the surface of RSV have been shown to be
targets of neutralizing antibodies (Fields et al., 1990, supra; and
Murphy et al., 1994, supra). These two proteins are also primarily
responsible for viral recognition and entry into target cells; G
protein binds to a specific cellular receptor and the F protein
promotes fusion of the virus with the cell. The F protein is also
expressed on the surface of infected cells and is responsible for
subsequent fusion with other cells leading to syncytia formation.
Thus, antibodies to the F protein may directly neutralize virus or
block entry of the virus into the cell or prevent syncytia
formation. Although antigenic and structural differences between A
and B subtypes have been described for both the G and F proteins,
the more significant antigenic differences reside on the G
glycoprotein, where amino acid sequences are only 53% homologous
and antigenic relatedness is 5% (Walsh et al., 1987, J. Infect.
Dis. 155:1198-1204; and Johnson et al., 1987, Proc. Natl. Acad.
Sci. USA 84:5625-5629). Conversely, antibodies raised to the F
protein show a high degree of cross-reactivity among subtype A and
B viruses. Comparison of biological and biochemical properties of
18 different murine MAbs directed to the RSV F protein resulted in
the identification of three distinct antigenic sites that are
designated A, B, and C. (Beeler and Coelingh, 1989, J. Virol.
7:2941-2950). Neutralization studies were performed against a panel
of RSV strains isolated from 1956 to 1985 that demonstrated that
epitopes within antigenic sites A and C are highly conserved, while
the epitopes of antigenic site B are variable.
[0041] A humanized antibody directed to an epitope in the A
antigenic site of the F protein of RSV, palivizumab (SYNAGIS.RTM.),
is approved for intramuscular administration to pediatric patients
for prevention of serious lower respiratory tract disease caused by
RSV at recommended monthly doses of 15 mg/kg of body weight
throughout the RSV season (November through April in the northern
hemisphere). Palivizumab (SYNAGIS.RTM.) is a composite of human
(95%) and murine (5%) antibody sequences. See, Johnson et al.,
1997, J. Infect. Diseases 176:1215-1224 and U.S. Pat. No.
5,824,307, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference. The human heavy chain sequence was derived from the
constant domains of human IgG, and the variable framework regions
of the VH genes of Cor (Press et al., 1970, Biochem. J.
117:641-660) and Cess (Takashi et al., 1984, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.
USA 81:194-198). The human light chain sequence was derived from
the constant domain of CK and the variable framework regions of the
VL gene K104 with J.kappa.-4 (Bentley et al., 1980, Nature
288:5194-5198). The murine sequences derived from a murine
monoclonal antibody, Mab 1129 (Beeler et al., 1989, J. Virology
63:2941-2950), in a process which involved the grafting of the
murine complementarity determining regions into the human antibody
frameworks.
[0042] 2.3.1.3 Avian & Human Metapneumovirus
[0043] Recently, a new member of the Paramyxoviridae family has
been isolated from 28 children with clinical symptoms reminiscent
of those caused by human respiratory syncytial virus ("hRSV")
infection, ranging from mild upper respiratory tract disease to
severe bronchiolitis and pneumonia (Van Den Hoogen et al., 2001,
Nature Medicine 7:719-724). The new virus was named human
metapneumovirus (hMPV) based on sequence homology and gene
constellation. The study further showed that by the age of five
years virtually all children in the Netherlands have been exposed
to hMPV and that the virus has been circulating in humans for at
least half a century.
[0044] The genomic organization of human metapneumovirus is
described in van den Hoogen et al., 2002, Virology 295:119-132.
Human metapneumovirus has recently been isolated from patients in
North America (Peret et al., 2002, J. Infect. Diseases
185:1660-1663).
[0045] Human metapneumovirus is related to avian metapneumovirus.
For example, the F protein of hMPV is highly homologous to the F
protein of avian pneumonovirus ("APV"). Alignment of the human
metapneumoviral F protein with the F protein of an avian
pneumovirus isolated from Mallard Duck shows 85.6% identity in the
ectodomain. Alignment of the human metapneumoviral F protein with
the F protein of an avian pneumovirus isolated from Turkey
(subgroup B) shows 75% identity in the ectodomain. See, e.g.,
co-owned and co-pending Provisional Application No. 60/358,934,
entitled "Recombinant Parainfluenza Virus Expression Systems and
Vaccines Comprising Heterologous Antigens Derived from
Metapneumovirus," filed on Feb. 21, 2002, by Haller and Tang, which
is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0046] Respiratory disease caused by an APV was first described in
South Africa in the late 1970s (Buys et al., 1980, Turkey 28:36-46)
where it had a devastating effect on the turkey industry. The
disease in turkeys was characterized by sinusitis and rhinitis and
was called turkey rhinotracheitis (TRT). The European isolates of
APV have also been strongly implicated as factors in swollen head
syndrome (SHS) in chickens (O'Brien, 1985, Vet.
Rec. 117:619-620). Originally, the disease appeared in broiler
chicken flocks infected with Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and was
assumed to be a secondary problem associated with Newcastle disease
(ND). Antibody against European APV was detected in affected
chickens after the onset of SHS (Cook et al., 1988, Avian Pathol.
17:403-410), thus implicating APV as the cause.
[0047] The avian pneumovirus is a single stranded, non-segmented
RNA virus that belongs to the sub-family Pneumovirinae of the
family Paramyxoviridae, genus metapneumovirus (Cavanagh and
Barrett, 1988, Virus Res. 11:241-256; Ling et al., 1992, J. Gen.
Virol. 73:1709-1715; Yu et al., 1992, J. Gen. Virol. 73:1355-1363).
The Paramyxoviridae family is divided into two sub-families: the
Paramyxovirinae and Pneumovirinae. The subfamily Paramyxovirinae
includes, but is not limited to, the genera: Paramyxovirus,
Rubulavirus, and Morbillivirus. Recently, the subfamily
Pneumovirinae was divided into two genera based on gene order,
i.e., pneumovirus and metapneumovirus (Naylor et al., 1998, J. Gen.
Virol., 79:1393-1398; Pringle, 1998, Arch. Virol. 143:1449-1159).
The pneumovirus genus includes, but is not limited to, human
respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV), bovine respiratory syncytial
virus (bRSV), ovine respiratory syncytial virus, and mouse
pneumovirus. The metapneumovirus genus includes, but is not limited
to, European avian pneumovirus (subgroups A and B), which is
distinguished from hRSV, the type species for the genus pneumovirus
(Naylor et al., 1998, J. Gen. Virol., 79:1393-1398; Pringle, 1998,
Arch. Virol. 143:1449-1159). The US isolate of APV represents a
third subgroup (subgroup C) within metapneumovirus genus because it
has been found to be antigenically and genetically different from
European isolates (Seal, 1998, Virus Res. 58:45-52; Senne et al.,
1998, In: Proc. 47th WPDC, California, pp. 67-68). Electron
microscopic examination of negatively stained APV reveals
pleomorphic, sometimes spherical, virions ranging from 80 to 200 nm
in diameter with long filaments ranging from 1000 to 2000 nm in
length (Collins and Gough, 1988, J. Gen. Virol. 69:909-916). The
envelope is made of a membrane studded with spikes 13 to 15 nm in
length. The nucleocapsid is helical, 14 nm in diameter and has 7 nm
pitch. The nucleocapsid diameter is smaller than that of the genera
Paramyxovirus and Morbillivirus, which usually have diameters of
about 18 nm.
[0048] Avian pneumovirus infection is an emerging disease in the
USA despite its presence elsewhere in the world in poultry for many
years. In May 1996, a highly contagious respiratory disease of
turkeys appeared in Colorado, and an APV was subsequently isolated
at the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa
(Senne et al., 1997, Proc. 134th Ann. Mtg., AVMA, pp. 190). Prior
to this time, the United States and Canada were considered free of
avian pneumovirus (Pearson et al., 1993, In: Newly Emerging and
Re-emerging Avian Diseases: Applied Research and Practical
Applications for Diagnosis and Control, pp. 78-83; Hecker and
Myers, 1993, Vet. Rec. 132:172). Early in 1997, the presence of APV
was detected serologically in turkeys in Minnesota. By the time the
first confirmed diagnosis was made, APV infections had already
spread to many farms. The disease is associated with clinical signs
in the upper respiratory tract: foamy eyes, nasal discharge and
swelling of the sinuses. It is exacerbated by secondary infections.
Morbidity in infected birds can be as high as 100%. The mortality
can range from 1 to 90% and is highest in six to twelve week old
poults.
[0049] Avian pneumovirus is transmitted by contact. Nasal
discharge, movement of affected birds, contaminated water,
contaminated equipment; contaminated feed trucks and load-out
activities can contribute to the transmission of the virus.
Recovered turkeys are thought to be carriers. Because the virus is
shown to infect the epithelium of the oviduct of laying turkeys and
because APV has been detected in young poults, egg transmission is
considered a possibility.
[0050] Based upon the recent work with hMPV, hMPV likewise appears
to be a significant factor in human, particularly, juvenile
respiratory disease. Thus, theses three viruses, RSV, hMPV, and
PIV, cause a significant portion of human respiratory disease.
Accordingly, a broad spectrum therapy is needed to reduce the
incidence of viral respiratory disease caused by these viruses.
[0051] 2.3.2 Bacterial Respiratory Infections
[0052] 2.3.2.1 Bacterial Pneumonia
[0053] There are about 2 million cases of pneumonia each year of
which 40,000 to 70,000 result in death. The Merck Manual of
Diagnosis and Therapy (17th ed. 1999). Although certain viruses and
fungi cause pneumonia, most cases of pneumonia in adults are caused
by bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus,
Haemophilus influenzae, Chlmayda pneumoniae, C. psittaci, C.
trachomatis, Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis, Legionella
pneumophila, Klebsiella penumoniae, and other gram-negative
bacilli. Id.
[0054] Pneumonia is usually spread by inhaling droplets small
enough to reach the alveoli and aspirating secretions from the
upper airways. Id. Alcoholics, institutionalized persons, cigarette
smokers, patients with heart failure, patients with chronic
obstructive airway disease, the elderly, children, infants, infants
born prematurely, patients with compromised immune systems, and
patients with dysphagia are at greater risk of developing
pneumonia. Id.
[0055] Pneumonia is diagnosed based on characteristic symptoms and
an infiltrate on chest x-ray. Id. Common symptoms of pneumonia
include cough, fever, sputum production, tachypnea, and crackles
with bronchial breath sounds. Id. Determination of the specific
pathogen causing the pneumonia cannot be made in about 30-50% of
patients and specimens may be misleading because of normal flora
may contaminate samples through the upper airways. Id. Special
culture techniques, special stains, serologic assays, or lung
biopsies may be used for diagnosis. Id.
[0056] Therapies for the treatment of pneumonia consists of
respiratory support, such as oxygen, and antibiotics based on
determination of the specific bacteria and/or according to the
patient's age, epidemiology, host risk factors, and severity of
illness. Id. For example, in cases of Staphylococcal pneumonia,
anti-bacterial therapy comprises administration of penicillin
(e.g., oxacillin and nafcillin) or cephalosporin (e.g. cephalothin
or cefamandol, cefazolin, and cefuroxime). Id. In cases of
streptococcal pneumonia, anti-bacterial therapy comprises
administration of penicillin, cephalosporins, erythromycin, or
clindamycin. Id.
[0057] The administration of antibiotics may result in side
effects, toxicity, and development of antibiotic resistant strains.
In addition, because the pathogen causing pneumonia is difficult to
diagnose, the use of antibiotics may be ineffective since both
viruses and fungi also cause pneumonia. Thus, new therapies for
pneumonia are desired.
[0058] 2.3.2.2 Tuberculosis
[0059] Mycobacterium tuberculosis infects 1.9 billion and the
active disease, tuberculosis ("TB") results in 1.9 million deaths
around the world each year. (Dye et al., 1999, JAMA 282:677-686).
After a century of steadily declining rates of TB cases in the
United States, the downward trend was reversed in the late 1980s as
a result of the emergence of a multidrug-resistant strain of M.
tuberculosis, the HIV epidemic, and the influx of immigrants.
(Navin et al., 2002, Emerg. Infect. Dis. 8:11).
[0060] M. tuberculosis is an obligate aerobe, nonmotile rod-shaped
bacterium. In classic cases of tuberculosis, M. tuberculosis
complexes are in the well-aerated upper lobes of the lungs. M.
tuberculosis are classified as acid-fast bacteria due to the
impermeability of the cell wall by certain dyes and stains. The
cell wall of M. tuberculosis, composed of peptidoglycan and complex
lipids, is responsible for the bacterium's resistance to many
antibiotics, acidic and alkaline compounds, osmotic lysis, and
lethal oxidations, and survival inside macrophages.
[0061] TB progresses in five stages. In the first stage, the
subject inhales the droplet nuclei containing less than three
bacilli. Although alveolar macrophages take up the M. tuberculosis,
the macrophages are not activated and do not destroy the bacterium.
Seven to 21 days after the initial infection, the M. tuberculosis
multiples within the macrophages until the macrophages burst, which
attracts additional macrophages to the site of infection that
phagocytose the M. tuberculosis, but are not activated and thus do
not destroy the M. tuberculosis. In stage 3, lymphocytes,
particularly T-cells, are activated and cytokines, including IFN
activate macrophages capable of destroying M. tuberculosis are
produced. At this stage, the patient is tuberculin-positive and a
cell mediated immune response, including activated macrophages
releasing lytic enzymes and T cell secreting cytokines, is
initiated. Although, some marcrophages are activated against the M.
tuberculosis, the bacteria continue to multiply within inactivated
macrophages and begin to grow tubercles which are characterized by
semi-solid centers. In stage 4, tubercles may invade the bronchus,
other parts of the lung, and the blood supply line and the patient
may exhibit secondary lesions in other parts of the body, including
the genitourinary system, bones, joints, lymph nodes, and
peritoneum. In the final stage, the tubercles liquify inducing
increased growth of M. tuberculosis. The large bacterium load
causes the walls of nearby bronchi to rupture and form cavities
that enables the infection to spread quickly to other parts of the
lung.
[0062] Current therapies available for TB comprise an initial two
month regime of multiple antibiotics, such as rifampcin, isoniazid,
pyranzinamide, ethambutol, or streptomycin. In the next four
months, only rifampicin and isoniazid are administered to destroy
persisting M. tuberculosis. Although proper prescription and
patient compliance results in a cure in most cases, the number of
deaths from TB has been on the rise as a result of the emergence of
new M. tuberculosis strains resistant to current antibiotic
therapies. (Rattan et al., 1998, Emerging Infectious Diseases,
4(2):195-206). In addition, fatal and severe liver injury has been
associated with treatment of latent TB with rifampcin and
pyranzinamide. (CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report,
51(44):998-999).
[0063] 2.3.3 Fungal Respiratory Infections
[0064] The number of systemic invasive fungal infections rose
sharply in the past decade due to the increase in the at-risk
patient population as a result of organ transplants, oncology,
human immunodeficiency virus, use of vascular catheters, and misuse
of broad spectrum antibiotics. Dodds et al., 2000 Pharmacotherapy
20(11): 1335-1355. Seventy percent of fungal-related deaths are
caused by Candida species, Aspergillus species, and Cryptococcus
neoformans. Yasuda, California Journal of Health-System Pharmacy,
May/June 2001, pp. 4-11.
[0065] 2.3.3.1 Systemic Candidiasis
[0066] 80% of all major systemic fungal infections are due to
Candida species. The Merk Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, 17th
ed., 1999. Invasive candidiasis is most often caused by Candida
albicans, Candida troicalis, and Candida glabrata in
immunosuppressd patients. Id. Candidiasis is a defining
opportunistic infection of AIDS, infecting the esophagus, trachea,
bronchi, and lungs. Id. In HIV-infected patients, candidiasis is
usually mucocutaneous and infects the oropharynx, the esophagus,
and the vagina. Ampel, April-June 1996, Emerg. Infect. Dis. 2(2):
109-116.
[0067] Candida species are commensals that colonize the normal
gastrointestinal tract and skin. The Merk Manual of Diagnosis and
Therapy, Berkow et al. (eds.), 17th ed., 1999. Thus, cultures of
Candida from sputum, the mouth, urine, stool, vagina, or skin does
not necessarily indicate an invasive, progressive infection. Id. In
most cases, diagnosis of candidiasis requires presentation of a
characteristic clinical lesion, documentation of histopathologic
evidence of tissue invasion, or the exclusion of other causes. Id.
Symptoms of systemic candidiasis infection of the respiratory tract
are typically nonspecific, including dysphagia, coughing, and
fever. Id.
[0068] All forms of candidiasis are considered serious,
progressive, and potentially fatal. Id. Therapies for the treatment
of candidiasis typically include the administration of the
combination of the anti-fungal agents amphotericin B and
flucytosine. Id. Unfortunately, acute renal failure has been
associated with amphotericin B therapy. Dodds, supra. Fluconazole
is not as effective as amphotericin B in treating certain species
of Candida, but is useful as initial therapy in high oral or
intravenous doses while species identification is pending. The Merk
Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, 17th ed., 1999. Fluconazole,
however, has led to increasing treatment failures and anti-fungal
resistance. Ampel, supra. Thus, there is a need for novel therapies
for the treatment of systemic candidiasis.
[0069] 2.3.3.2 Aspergillosis
[0070] Aspergillus includes 132 species and 18 variants among which
Aspergillus fumigatus is involved in 80% of Aspergillus-related
diseases. Kurp et al., 1999, Medscape General Medicine 1(3).
Aspergillus fumigatus is the most common cause of invasive
pulmonary aspergillosis that extends rapidly, causing progressive,
and ultimately fatal respiratory failure. The Merck Manual of
Diagnosis and Therapy, 17th ed., 1999. Patients undergoing
long-term high-dose corticosteroid therapy, organ transplant
patients, patients with hereditary disorders of neutrophil
function, and patients infected with AIDS are at risk for
aspergillosis.
[0071] Clinical manifestations of invasive pulmonary infection by
Aspergillus include fever, cough, and chest pain. Aspergillus
colonize preexisting cavity pulmonary lesions in the form of
aspergilloma (fungus ball) which is composed of tangled masses
hyphae, fibrin exudate, and inflammatory cells encapsulated by
fibrous tissue. Id. Aspergillomas usually form and enlarge in
pulmonary cavities originally caused by bronchiectasis, neoplasm,
TB, and other chronic pulmonary infections. Id. Most aspergillomas
do not respond to or require systemic anti-fungal therapy. Id.
However, invasive infections often progress rapidly and are fatal,
thus aggressive therapy comprising IV amphotericin B or oral
itraconazole is required. Id. Unfortunately, high-dose amphotericin
B may cause renal failure and itraconazole is effective only in
moderately severe cases. Id. Therefore, there is a need for new
therapies for the treatment of aspergillosis.
[0072] 2.3.3.3 Cryptococcosis
[0073] Cases of cryptococcosis were rare before the HIV epidemic.
Ampel, supra. AIDS patients, patients with Hodgkin's or other
lymphomas or sarcoidosis, and patients undergoing long-term
corticosteroid therapy are at increased risk for cryptococcosis.
The Merk Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, 17th ed., 1999. In most
cases, cryptococcal infections are self-limited, but
AIDS-associated cryptococcal infection may be in the form of a
severe, progressive pneumonia with acute dyspnea and primary
lesions in the lungs. Id. In cases of progressive disseminated
cryptococcosis affecting non-immunocompromised patients, chronic
meningitis is most common without clinically evident pulmonary
lesions. Id.
[0074] Immunocompetent patients do not always require the
administration of a therapy to treat localized pulmonary
cryptococcosis. However, when such patients are administered a
therapy for the treatment of localized pulmonary cryptococcosis, it
typically consists of the administration of amphotericin B with or
without flucytosine. Id. AIDS patients are generally administered
an initial therapy consisting of amphotericin B and flucytosine and
then oral fluconazole thereafter to treat cryptococcosis. Id. Renal
and hematologic function of all patients receiving ampotericin B
with or without flucytosine must be evaluated before and during
therapy since flucytosine blood levels must be monitored to limit
toxicity and administration of flucytosine may not be safe for
patients with preexisting renal failure or bone marrow dysfunction.
Id. Thus, new therapies for the treatment of cryptococcosis are
needed.
2.4 Interleukin-9
[0075] Interleukin-9 ("IL-9") plays a critical role in a number of
antigen-induced responses in mice, such as bronchial
hyperresponsiveness, epithelial mucin production, eosinophilia,
elevated T cells, B cells, mast cells, macrophages, neutrophils,
eosinophils, and other inflammatory cell counts in the bronchial
lavage, histologic changes in the lung associated with
inflammation, and elevated serum total IgE. See Levitt et al., U.S.
Pat. No. 6,261,559, herein incorporated by reference. The
structural similarity observed for human and murine IL-9 genes
suggests that human IL-9 has a significant role in facilitating
asthmatic immune responses. IL-9 is expressed by activated T cells
and mast cells and functions as a T cell growth factor, mediates
the growth of erythroid progenitors, B cells, mast cells,
eosinophils, and fetal thymocytes, acts synergistically with
interleukin-3 ("IL-3") to induce mast cell activation and
proliferation, and promotes the production of mucin by lung
epithelium. The administration of murine antibodies to human
subject is associated with many drawbacks. Thus, antibodies having
a low immunogenicity and a high affinity for human IL-9 would be
useful to treat human patients suffering from diseases associated
with IL-9 expression and/or activity such as asthma.
[0076] Citation or discussion of a reference herein shall not be
construed as an admission that such is prior art to the present
invention.
3. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0077] The present invention provides antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an interleukin-9 ("IL-9") polypeptide
(preferably, a human IL-9 polypeptide). In particular, the
invention provides the following antibodies that immunospecifically
bind to an IL-9 polypeptide: 4D4 or an antigen-binding fragment
thereof, 4D4H2-1 D11 or an antigen-binding fragment thereof,
4D4com-XF-9 or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, 4D4com-2F9 or
an antigen-binding fragment thereof, 7F3 or an antigen-binding
fragment thereof, 71A10 or an antigen-binding fragment thereof,
22D3 or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, 7F3com-2H2 or an
antigen-binding fragment thereof, 7F3com-3H5 or an antigen-binding
fragment thereof, and 7F3com-3D4 or an antigen-binding fragment
thereof.
[0078] The present invention provides antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide, said antibodies
comprising a variable heavy ("VH") domain having an amino acid
sequence of the VH domain of 4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11, 4D4com-XF-9,
4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 7F3 22D3, 7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5, or
7F3com-3D4. The present invention also provides antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide, said antibodies
comprising a variable light ("VL") domain having an amino acid
sequence of the VL domain of 4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11, 4D4com-XF-9,
4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 7F3 22D3, 7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5, or
7F3com-3D4. The present invention also provides for antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide, said antibodies
comprising a VH domain and VL domain having the amino acid sequence
of the VH and VL domains of 4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11, 4D4com-XF-9,
4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 7F3 22D3, 7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5, or
7F3com-3D4. The invention further provides antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide, said antibodies
comprising one or more VH complementarity determining regions
("CDRs") and/or one or more VL CDRs having the amino acid sequence
of one or more of the VH CDRs of 4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11, 4D4com-XF-9,
4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 7F3 22D3, 7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5, or
7F3com-3D4 and/or the amino acid sequence of one or more of the VL
CDRs of 4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11, 4D4com-XF-9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 7F3
22D3, 7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5, or 7F3com-3D4, respectively.
[0079] In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides an
antibody that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide,
wherein the antibody comprises the VH domain and/or VL domain of
7F3com-2H2. In another preferred embodiment, the invention provides
an antibody that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide,
wherein the antibody comprises one, two, or three VH CDRs
(preferably including, VH CDR3) of 7F3com-2H2. In another preferred
embodiment, the invention provides an antibody that
immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide, wherein the
antibody comprises one, two or three VL CDRs (preferably including,
VL CDR3) of 7F3com-2H2. In yet another preferred embodiment, the
invention provides an antibody that immunospecifically binds to an
IL-9 polypeptide, wherein the antibody comprises one, two or three
VH CDRs and one, two or three VL CDRs of 7F3com-2H2.
[0080] The present invention provides for mixtures of antibodies
that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide, wherein the
mixture comprises at least one, two, three, four, five or more
different antibodies of the invention. The present invention also
provides for panels of antibodies that immunospecifically bind to
an IL-9 polypeptide, wherein the panel has at least one, two,
three, four, five or more different antibodies of the invention. In
particular, the invention provides for panels of different
antibodies that immunospecifically bind an IL-9 polypeptide in the
milieu (i.e., not bound to the IL-9R or a subunit thereof), the
receptor-bound form of an IL-9 polypeptide, and/or both the
receptor-bound form of an IL-9 polypeptide and an IL-9 polypeptide
in the milieu. In specific embodiments, the invention provides for
panels of antibodies that have different affinities for an IL-9
polypeptide, different specificities for an IL-9 polypeptide, or
different dissociation rates. The invention provides panels of at
least 10, preferably at least 25, at least 50, at least 75, at
least 100, at least 125, at least 150, at least 175, at least 200,
at least 250, at least 300, at least 350, at least 400, at least
450, at least 500, at least 550, at least 600, at least 650, at
least 700, at least 750, at least 800, at least 850, at least 900,
at least 950, or at least 1000, antibodies. Panels of antibodies
can be used, for example, in 96 well plates for assays such as
ELISAs.
[0081] In a preferred embodiment, the antibodies of the invention
are human or humanized antibodies. In another embodiment, the
antibodies of the invention are conjugated to a detectable
substance or therapeutic agent. In an alternative embodiment, the
antibodies of the invention are not conjugated to a detectable
substance or a therapeutic agent.
[0082] The present invention encompasses treatment protocols that
provide better prophylactic or therapeutic profiles than current
single agent therapies or combination therapies for diseases or
disorders associated with or characterized by aberrant expression
and/or activity of an IL-9 polypeptide, diseases or disorders
associated with or characterized by aberrant expression and/or
activity of the IL-9 receptor ("IL-9R") or one or more subunits
thereof, autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, proliferative
diseases, or infections (preferably, respiratory infections), or
one or more symptoms thereof. In particular, the invention provides
prophylactic and therapeutic protocols for the prevention,
treatment, management, and/or amelioration of diseases or disorders
characterized by aberrant expression and/or activity of an IL-9
polypeptide, diseases or disorders characterized by aberrant
expression and/or activity of the IL-9 receptor or one or more
subunits thereof, autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases,
proliferative diseases, or infections (preferably, respiratory
infections), or one or more symptoms thereof, comprising
administering to a subject an effective amount of one or more of
the antibodies of the invention. The invention also provides
prophylactic and therapeutic protocols for the prevention,
treatment, management, and/or amelioration of diseases or disorders
characterized by aberrant expression and/or activity of an IL-9
polypeptide, diseases or disorders characterized by aberrant
expression and/or activity of the IL-9 receptor or one or more
subunits thereof, autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases,
proliferative diseases, or infections (preferably, respiratory
infections), or one or more symptoms thereof, comprising
administering to a subject an effective amount of one or more
antibodies of the invention and an effective amount of at least one
therapy (e.g., a prophylactic or therapeutic agent) other than an
antibody of the invention.
[0083] In one embodiment, the present invention provides methods of
preventing, treating, managing, and/or ameliorating an autoimmune
disorder or one or more symptoms thereof, said method comprising
administering an effective amount of one or more IL-9 antibodies of
the invention alone or in combination with an effective amount of
one or more therapies (e.g., one or more prophylactic or
therapeutic agents), other than antibodies of the invention, used
or known to be effective in preventing, treating, managing, and/or
ameliorating autoimmune diseases. In a preferred embodiment, the
autoimmune disorder is rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis.
Non-limiting examples of the prophylactic or therapeutic agents
which can be used to prevent, treat, manage, and/or ameliorate an
autoimmune disorder include anti-viral agents, an anti-bacterial
agents, TNF-.alpha. antagonists, immunomodulatory agents, and
anti-inflammatory agents. In a preferred embodiment, an effective
amount of one or more antibodies of the present invention is
administered in combination with an effective amount of
VITAXIN.TM., siplizumab (MEDI-507; MedImmune, Inc.), one or more
anti-EphA2 antibodies (see U.S. Patent Publication No.
US2004/0028685 A1, dated Feb. 12, 2004 and U.S. Pat. Appn. No.
10/436,783, filed May 12, 2003, which are both incorporated by
reference herein in their entireties), or any combination thereof
to prevent, manage, treat, and/or ameliorate an autoimmune disorder
or one or more symptoms thereof.
[0084] In one embodiment, the invention provides methods of
preventing, treating, managing, and/or ameliorating an inflammatory
disorder or one or more symptoms thereof, said method comprising
administering an effective amount of one or more IL-9 antibodies of
the invention alone or in combination with an effective amount of
one or more therapies (e.g., one or more prophylactic or
therapeutic agents), other than antibodies of the invention, used
or known to be effective in preventing, treating, managing, and/or
ameliorating inflammatory disorders. In a specific embodiment, the
inflammatory disorder is asthma, an allergy, arthritis, or a
disorder characterized by type-2 mediated inflammation.
Non-limiting examples of therapies (e.g., prophylactic or
therapeutic agents) for the prevention, treatment, management,
and/or amelioration of an inflammatory disorder include anti-viral
agents, anti-bacterial agents, anti-fungal agents, TNF-.alpha.
antagonists, immunomodulatory agents, mast cell modulators, and
anti-inflammatory agents. In a preferred embodiment, an effective
amount of one or more antibodies of the present invention is
administered in combination with an effective amount of
VITAXIN.TM., siplizumab, one or more anti-EphA2 antibodies, or any
combination thereof to prevent, manage, treat, and/or ameliorate an
inflammatory disorder or one or more symptoms thereof.
[0085] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method
of preventing, treating, managing, and/or ameliorating a
proliferative disorder or one or more symptoms thereof, said method
comprising administering an effective amount of one or more IL-9
antibodies of the invention alone or in combination with an
effective amount of one or more therapies (e.g., one or more
prophylactic or therapeutic agents), other than antibodies of the
invention, used or known to be effective in preventing, treating,
managing, and/or ameliorating proliferative disorders. In a
specific embodiment, the proliferative disorder is cancer, chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease ("COPD"), or lung fibrosis.
Non-limiting examples of the therapies (e.g., prophylactic or
therapeutic agents) for the prevention, treatment, management,
and/or amelioration of a proliferative disorder include anti-viral
agents, anti-bacterial agents, anti-fungal agents, anti-angiogenic
agents, TNF-.alpha. antagonists, immunomodulatory agents,
anti-cancer agents, and anti-inflammatory agents. In a preferred
embodiment, an effective amount of one or more antibodies of the
present invention is administered in combination with an effective
amount of VITAXIN.TM., siplizumab, one or more anti-EphA2
antibodies, or any combination thereof to prevent, manage, treat,
and/or ameliorate a proliferative disorder or one or more symptoms
thereof.
[0086] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method
of preventing, treating, managing, and/or ameliorating infections,
preferably respiratory infections, or one or more symptoms thereof,
said method comprising administering an effective amount of one or
more IL-9 antibodies of the invention alone or in combination with
an effective amount of one or more therapies (e.g., one or more
prophylactic or therapeutic agents), other than antibodies of the
invention, used or known to be effective in preventing, treating,
managing, and/or ameliorating infections. In certain embodiments,
the infection is a pulmonary or respiratory infection. In a
specific embodiment, the infection is a respiratory infection
caused by a virus, bacteria, or fungus. In a more specific
embodiment, the respiratory infection is caused by respiratory
syncytial virus ("RSV"), parainfluenza virus ("PIV"), or human
metapneumovirus ("hMPV"). Non-limiting examples of therapies (e.g.,
prophylactic or therapeutic agents) for the prevention, treatment,
management, and/or amelioration of infections include anti-viral
agents, anti-bacterial agents, anti-fungal agents, immunomodulatory
agents, anti-cancer agents, and anti-inflammatory agents. In a
preferred embodiment, an effective amount of one or more antibodies
of the present invention is administered in combination with an
effective amount of VITAXN.TM., siplizumab, palivizumab, NUMAX.TM.
(MedImmune, Inc.) one or more anti-EphA2 antibodies, or any
combination thereof to prevent, manage, treat, and/or ameliorate
infections or one or more symptoms thereof. Examples of antibody
derivatives include MT103, part of a class of antibody derivatives
known as Bi-Specific T Cell Engagers (BiTE.TM.; MedImmune, Inc.),
that may also be used in combination with one or more antibodies of
the present invention.
[0087] The present invention provides a method of diagnosing,
prognosing, or monitoring a disease or disorder characterized by
aberrant expression and/or activity of an IL-9 polypeptide, a
disease or disorder characterized by aberrant expression and/or
activity of the IL-9 receptor or one or more subunits thereof, an
autoimmune disease, an inflammatory disease, a proliferative
disease, or an infection (preferably, a respiratory infection)
comprising assaying the level of IL-9 in cells or a tissue sample
of a subject using an IL-9 antibody of the invention and comparing
the assayed level of IL-9 with a control level (e.g., PBS). An
increase or decrease in the assayed level of IL-9 compared to the
control level of IL-9 is indicative of a disease or disorder
characterized by aberrant expression and/or activity of an IL-9
polypeptide, a disease or disorder characterized by aberrant
expression and/or activity of the IL-9 receptor or one or more
subunits thereof, an autoimmune disease, an inflammatory disease, a
proliferative disease, or an infection. The invention also provides
for pharmaceutical compositions, kits, and articles of manufacture
comprising one or more antibodies that immunospecifically bind to
an IL-9 polypeptide with or without one or more therapies (e.g.,
one or more prophylactic or therapeutic agents), other than
antibodies of the invention, for use in the prevention, treatment,
management, and/or amelioration of a disease or disorder
characterized by aberrant expression and/or activity of an IL-9
polypeptide, a disease or disorder characterized by aberrant
expression and/or activity of the IL-9 receptor or one or more
subunits thereof, an autoimmune disease, an inflammatory disease, a
proliferative disease, or an infection (preferably, a respiratory
infection), or one or more symptoms thereof. The kits or articles
of manufacture may further comprise instructions.
3.1 Terminology
[0088] As used herein the term "aberrant" refers to a deviation
from the norm, e.g., the average healthy subject and/or a
population of average healthy subjects. The term "aberrant
expression," as used herein, refers to abnormal expression of a
gene product (e.g., RNA, protein, polypeptide, or peptide) by a
cell or subject relative to a normal, healthy cell or subject
and/or a population of normal, healthy cells or subjects. Such
aberrant expression may be the result of the amplification of the
gene. In a specific embodiment, the term "aberrant expression"
refers to abnormal expression of IL-9 and/or an IL-9R or subunit
thereof by a cell or subject relative to the expression of the gene
product by a normal, healthy cell or subject and/or a population of
normal, healthy cells or subjects and encompasses the expression of
an IL-9 and/or an IL-9R or subunit thereof gene product at an
unusual location within the cell or subject, the expression of an
IL-9 and/or an IL-9R or subunit thereof gene product at an altered
level in the cell or subject, the expression of a mutated IL-9
and/or IL-9R or subunit thereof gene product, or a combination
thereof. The term "aberrant activity", as used herein, refers to an
altered level of a gene product, the increase of an activity by a
gene product, or the loss of an activity of a gene product in a
cell or subject relative to a normal, healthy cell or subject
and/or a population of normal, healthy cells or subjects. In
specific embodiments, the term "aberrant activity" refers to an
IL-9 and/or IL-9R or subunit thereof activity that deviates from
that normally found in a healthy cell or subject and/or a
population of normal, healthy cells or subjects (e.g., an increase
in IL-9's ability to bind to its receptor). Examples of IL-9
activities include, but are not limited to, the phosphorylation of
the IL-9R, the activation of Jak3, the activation of MEK, the
activation of Stat 1, and the activation of Stat 3.
[0089] As used herein, the term "analog" in the context of a
proteinaceous agent (e.g., proteins, polypeptides, peptides, and
antibodies) refers to a proteinaceous agent that possesses a
similar or identical functions as a second proteinaceous agent but
does not necessarily comprise a similar or identical amino acid
sequence of the second proteinaceous agent, or possess a similar or
identical structure of the second proteinaceous agent. A
proteinaceous agent that has a similar amino acid sequence refers
to a second proteinaceous agent that satisfies at least one of the
following: (a) a proteinaceous agent having an amino acid sequence
that is at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 45%, at
least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%,
at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least
95% or at least 99% identical to the amino acid sequence of a
second proteinaceous agent; (b) a proteinaceous agent encoded by a
nucleotide sequence that hybridizes under stringent conditions to a
nucleotide sequence encoding a second proteinaceous agent of at
least 5 contiguous amino acid residues, at least 10 contiguous
amino acid residues, at least 15 contiguous amino acid residues, at
least 20 contiguous amino acid residues, at least 25 contiguous
amino acid residues, at least 40 contiguous amino acid residues, at
least 50 contiguous amino acid residues, at least 60 contiguous
amino residues, at least 70 contiguous amino acid residues, at
least 80 contiguous amino acid residues, at least 90 contiguous
amino acid residues, at least 100 contiguous amino acid residues,
at least 125 contiguous amino acid residues, or at least 150
contiguous amino acid residues; and (c) a proteinaceous agent
encoded by a nucleotide sequence that is at least 30%, at least
35%, at least 40%, at least 45%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at
least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%,
at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95% or at least 99% identical
to the nucleotide sequence encoding a second proteinaceous agent. A
proteinaceous agent with similar structure to a second
proteinaceous agent refers to a proteinaceous agent that has a
similar secondary, tertiary or quaternary structure to the second
proteinaceous agent. The structure of a proteinaceous agent can be
determined by methods known to those skilled in the art, including
but not limited to, peptide sequencing, X-ray crystallography,
nuclear magnetic resonance, circular dichroism, and
crystallographic electron microscopy.
[0090] To determine the percent identity of two amino acid
sequences or of two nucleic acid sequences, the sequences are
aligned for optimal comparison purposes (e.g., gaps can be
introduced in the sequence of a first amino acid or nucleic acid
sequence for optimal alignment with a second amino acid or nucleic
acid sequence). The amino acid residues or nucleotides at
corresponding amino acid positions or nucleotide positions are then
compared. When a position in the first sequence is occupied by the
same amino acid residue or nucleotide as the corresponding position
in the second sequence, then the molecules are identical at that
position. The percent identity between the two sequences is a
function of the number of identical positions shared by the
sequences (i.e., % identity=number of identical overlapping
positions/total number of positions.times.100%). In one embodiment,
the two sequences are the same length.
[0091] The determination of percent identity between two sequences
can also be accomplished using a mathematical algorithm. A
preferred, non-limiting example of a mathematical algorithm
utilized for the comparison of two sequences is the algorithm of
Karlin and Altschul, 1990, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.
87:2264-2268, modified as in Karlin and Altschul, 1993, Proc. Natl.
Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 90:5873-5877. Such an algorithm is incorporated
into the NBLAST and XBLAST programs of Altschul et al., 1990, J.
Mol. Biol. 215:403. BLAST nucleotide searches can be performed with
the NBLAST nucleotide program parameters set, e.g., for score=100,
wordlength=12 to obtain nucleotide sequences homologous to a
nucleic acid molecules of the present invention. BLAST protein
searches can be performed with the XBLAST program parameters set,
e.g., to score-50, wordlength=3 to obtain amino acid sequences
homologous to a protein molecule of the present invention. To
obtain gapped alignments for comparison purposes, Gapped BLAST can
be utilized as described in Altschul et al., 1997, Nucleic Acids
Res. 25:3389-3402. Alternatively, PSI-BLAST can be used to perform
an iterated search which detects distant relationships between
molecules (Id.). When utilizing BLAST, Gapped BLAST, and PSI-Blast
programs, the default parameters of the respective programs (e.g.,
of XBLAST and NBLAST) can be used (see, e.g., the NCBI website).
Another preferred, non-limiting example of a mathematical algorithm
utilized for the comparison of sequences is the algorithm of Myers
and Miller, 1988, CABIOS 4:11-17. Such an algorithm is incorporated
in the ALIGN program (version 2.0) which is part of the GCG
sequence alignment software package. When utilizing the ALIGN
program for comparing amino acid sequences, a PAM 120 weight
residue table, a gap length penalty of 12, and a gap penalty of 4
can be used.
[0092] The percent identity between two sequences can be determined
using techniques similar to those described above, with or without
allowing gaps. In calculating percent identity, typically only
exact matches are counted.
[0093] As used herein, the term "analog" in the context of a
non-proteinaceous analog refers to a second organic or inorganic
molecule which possesses a similar or identical function as a first
organic or inorganic molecule and is structurally similar to the
first organic or inorganic molecule.
[0094] As used herein, the terms "antagonist" and "antagonists"
refer to any protein, polypeptide, peptide, peptidomimetic,
glycoprotein, antibody, antibody fragment, carbohydrate, nucleic
acid, organic molecule, inorganic molecule, large molecule, or
small molecule that blocks, inhibits, reduces or neutralizes the
function, activity and/or expression of another molecule. In
various embodiments, an antagonist reduces the function, activity
and/or expression of another molecule by at least 10%, at least
15%, at least 20%, at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at
least 40%, at least 45%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%,
at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least
85%, at least 90%, at least 95% or at least 99% relative to a
control such as phosphate buffered saline (PBS).
[0095] As used herein, the terms "antibody" and "antibodies" refer
to monoclonal antibodies, multispecific antibodies, human
antibodies, humanized antibodies, camelised antibodies, chimeric
antibodies, single-chain Fvs (scFv), single chain antibodies,
single domain antibodies, Fab fragments, F(ab') fragments,
disulfide-linked Fvs (sdFv), and anti-idiotypic (anti-Id)
antibodies (including, e.g., anti-Id antibodies to antibodies of
the invention), intrabodies, and epitope-binding fragments of any
of the above. In particular, antibodies include immunoglobulin
molecules and immunologically active fragments of immunoglobulin
molecules, i.e., molecules that contain an antigen binding site.
Immunoglobulin molecules can be of any type (e.g., IgG, IgE, IgM,
IgD, IgA and IgY), class (e.g., IgG.sub.1, IgG.sub.2, IgG.sub.3,
IgG.sub.4, IgA.sub.1 and IgA.sub.2) or subclass.
[0096] As used herein, the terms "anti-IL 9 antibodies," "IL-9
antibodies," "antibodies of the invention," "antibodies of the
present invention" and analogous terms refer to the antibodies
described in section 5.1.
[0097] As used herein, the term "control IgG antibody" refers to an
IgG antibody or other "control antibody" that does not
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide and preferably does
not cross-react with an IL-9 polypeptide.
[0098] As used herein, the term "cytokine receptor modulator"
refers to an agent which modulates the phosphorylation of a
cytokine receptor, the activation of a signal transduction pathway
associated with a cytokine receptor, and/or the expression of a
particular protein such as a cytokine or cytokine receptor. Such an
agent may directly or indirectly modulate the phosphorylation of a
cytokine receptor, the activation of a signal transduction pathway
associated with a cytokine receptor, and/or the expression of a
particular protein such as a cytokine. Thus, examples of cytokine
receptor modulators include, but are not limited to, cytokines,
fragments of cytokines, fusion proteins, and antibodies that
immunospecifically binds to a cytokine receptor or a fragment
thereof. Further, examples of cytokine receptor modulators include,
but are not limited to, peptides, polypeptides (e.g., soluble
cytokine receptors), fusion proteins and antibodies that
immunospecifically binds to a cytokine or a fragment thereof.
[0099] As used herein, the term "derivative" in the context of
proteinaceous agent (e.g., proteins, polypeptides, peptides, and
antibodies) refers to a proteinaceous agent that comprises an amino
acid sequence which has been altered by the introduction of amino
acid residue substitutions, deletions, and/or additions. The term
"derivative" as used herein also refers to a proteinaceous agent
which has been modified, i.e., by the covalent attachment of any
type of molecule to the proteinaceous agent. For example, but not
by way of limitation, an antibody may be modified, e.g., by
glycosylation, acetylation, pegylation, phosphorylation, amidation,
derivatization by known protecting/blocking groups, proteolytic
cleavage, linkage to a cellular ligand or other protein, etc. A
derivative of a proteinaceous agent may be produced by chemical
modifications using techniques known to those of skill in the art,
including, but not limited to specific chemical cleavage,
acetylation, formylation, metabolic synthesis of tunicamycin, etc.
Further, a derivative of a proteinaceous agent may contain one or
more non-classical amino acids. A derivative of a proteinaceous
agent possesses a similar or identical function as the
proteinaceous agent from which it was derived.
[0100] As used herein, the term "derivative" in the context of a
non-proteinaceous derivative refers to a second organic or
inorganic molecule that is formed based upon the structure of a
first organic or inorganic molecule. A derivative of an organic
molecule includes, but is not limited to, a molecule modified,
e.g., by the addition or deletion of a hydroxyl, methyl, ethyl,
carboxyl, nitryl, or amine group. An organic molecule may also be
esterified, alkylated and/or phosphorylated.
[0101] As used herein, the terms "disorder" and "disease" are used
interchangeably to refer to a condition in a subject. In
particular, the term "autoimmune disease" is used interchangeably
with the term "autoimmune disorder" to refer to a condition in a
subject characterized by cellular, tissue and/or organ injury
caused by an immunologic reaction of the subject to its own cells,
tissues and/or organs. The term "inflammatory disease" is used
interchangeably with the term "inflammatory disorder" to refer to a
condition in a subject characterized by inflammation, preferably
chronic inflammation. Autoimmune disorders may or may not be
associated with inflammation. Moreover, inflammation may or may not
be caused by an autoimmune disorder. Certain conditions may be
characterized as more than one disorder. For example, certain
conditions may be characterized as both autoimmune and inflammatory
disorders.
[0102] As used herein, the term "effective amount" refers to the
amount of a therapy (e.g., a prophylactic or therapeutic agent)
which is sufficient to reduce and/or ameliorate the severity and/or
duration of a disease or disorder (e.g., a disease or disorder
characterized by aberrant expression and/or activity of an IL-9
polypeptide, a disease or disorder characterized by aberrant
expression and/or activity of an IL-9 receptor or one or more
subunits thereof, an autoimmune disease, an inflammatory disease, a
proliferative disease, or an infection (preferably, a respiratory
infection) or one or more symptoms thereof), prevent the
advancement of said disease or disorder, cause regression of said
disease or disorder, prevent the recurrence, development, or onset
of one or more symptoms associated with said disease or disorder,
or enhance or improve the prophylactic or therapeutic effect(s) of
another therapy (e.g., prophylactic or therapeutic agent).
[0103] As used herein, the term "epitopes" refers to fragments of a
polypeptide or protein having antigenic or immunogenic activity in
an animal, preferably in a mammal, and most preferably in a human.
An epitope having immunogenic activity is a fragment of a
polypeptide or protein that elicits an antibody response in an
animal. An epitope having antigenic activity is a fragment of a
polypeptide or protein to which an antibody immunospecifically
binds as determined by any method well-known to one of skill in the
art, for example by immunoassays. Antigenic epitopes need not
necessarily be immunogenic.
[0104] As used herein, the term "fragment" refers to a peptide or
polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence of at least 5
contiguous amino acid residues, at least 10 contiguous amino acid
residues, at least 15 contiguous amino acid residues, at least 20
contiguous amino acid residues, at least 25 contiguous amino acid
residues, at least 40 contiguous amino acid residues, at least 50
contiguous amino acid residues, at least 60 contiguous amino
residues, at least 70 contiguous amino acid residues, at least
contiguous 80 amino acid residues, at least contiguous 90 amino
acid residues, at least contiguous 100 amino acid residues, at
least contiguous 125 amino acid residues, at least 150 contiguous
amino acid residues, at least contiguous 175 amino acid residues,
at least contiguous 200 amino acid residues, or at least contiguous
250 amino acid residues of the amino acid sequence of a second,
different polypeptide or protein. In another embodiment, a fragment
of a protein or polypeptide retains at least one function of the
protein or polypeptide. In another embodiment, a fragment of a
polypeptide or protein retains at least two, three, four, or five
functions of the polypeptide or protein. Preferably, a fragment of
an antibody that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide
retains the ability to immunospecifically bind to an IL-9
polypeptide.
[0105] As used herein, the term "fusion protein" refers to a
polypeptide or protein that comprises an amino acid sequence of a
first polypeptide or protein or fragment, analog or derivative
thereof, and an amino acid sequence of a heterologous polypeptide
or protein (i.e., a second polypeptide or protein or fragment,
analog or derivative thereof different than the first polypeptide
or protein or fragment, analog or derivative thereof). In one
embodiment, a fusion protein comprises a prophylactic or
therapeutic agent fused to a heterologous protein, polypeptide or
peptide. In accordance with this embodiment, the heterologous
protein, polypeptide or peptide may or may not be a different type
of prophylactic or therapeutic agent. For example, two different
proteins, polypeptides, or peptides with immunomodulatory activity
may be fused together to form a fusion protein. In a preferred
embodiment, fusion proteins retain or have improved activity
relative to the activity of the original polypeptide or protein
prior to being fused to a heterologous protein, polypeptide, or
peptide.
[0106] As used herein, the term "host cell" includes a particular
subject cell transfected or transformed with a nucleic acid
molecule and the progeny or potential progeny of such a cell.
Progeny of such a cell may not be identical to the parent cell
transfected with the nucleic acid molecule due to mutations or
environmental influences that may occur in succeeding generations
or integration of the nucleic acid molecule into the host cell
genome.
[0107] As used herein, the term "human adult" or "adult" refers to
a human 18 years of age or older.
[0108] As used herein, the terms "human child" or "child" or
variations thereof refer to a human between 24 months of age and 18
years of age.
[0109] As used herein, the terms "elderly human," "elderly," or
variations thereof refer to a human 65 years old or older,
preferably 70 years old or older.
[0110] As used herein, the terms "human infant" or "infant" or
variations thereof refer to a human less than 24 months of age,
preferably less than 12 months, less than 6 months, less than 3
months, less than 2 months, or less than 1 month of age.
[0111] As used herein, the terms "human infant born prematurely,"
"preterm infant," or "premature infant," or variations thereof
refer to a human born at less than 40 weeks of gestational age,
preferably less than 35 weeks gestational age, who is less than 6
months old, preferably less than 3 months old, more preferably less
than 2 months old, and most preferably less than 1 month old.
[0112] As used herein, the term "hybridizes under stringent
conditions" describes conditions for hybridization and washing
under which nucleotide sequences at least 30% (preferably, 35%,
40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% or 98%)
identical to each other typically remain hybridized to each other.
Such stringent conditions are known to those skilled in the art and
can be found in Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley
& Sons, N.Y. (1989), 6.3.1-6.3.6.
[0113] Generally, stringent conditions are selected to be about 5
to 10.degree. C. lower than the thermal melting point (Tm) for the
specific sequence at a defined ionic strength pH. The Tm is the
temperature (under defined ionic strength, pH, and nucleic
concentration) at which 50% of the probes complementary to the
target hybridize to the target sequence at equilibrium (as the
target sequences are present in excess, at Tm, 50% of the probes
are occupied at equilibrium). Stringent conditions will be those in
which the salt concentration is less than about 1.0 M sodium ion,
typically about 0.01 to 1.0M sodium ion concentration (or other
salts) at pH 7.0 to 8.3 and the temperature is at least about
30.degree. C. for short probes (for example, 10 to 50 nucleotides)
and at least 60.degree. C. for long probes (for example, greater
than 50 nucleotides). Stringent conditions may also be achieved
with the addition of destabilizing agents, for example, formamide.
For selective or specific hybridization, a positive signal is at
least two times background, preferably 10 times background
hybridization.
[0114] In one, non-limiting example stringent hybridization
conditions are hybridization at 6.times. sodium chloride/sodium
citrate (SSC) at about 45.degree. C., followed by one or more
washes in 0.1.times.SSC, 0.2% SDS at about 68.degree. C. In a
preferred, non-limiting example stringent hybridization conditions
are hybridization in 6.times.SSC at about 45.degree. C., followed
by one or more washes in 0.2.times.SSC, 0.1% SDS at 50-65.degree.
C. (i.e., one or more washes at 50.degree. C., 55.degree. C.,
60.degree. C. or 65.degree. C.). It is understood that the nucleic
acids of the invention do not include nucleic acid molecules that
hybridize under these conditions solely to a nucleotide sequence
consisting of only A or T nucleotides.
[0115] As used herein, the term "1-9 polypeptide" refers to 1-9, an
analog, derivative or a fragment thereof, including mature and
immature forms of IL-9 (see, Van Snick et al., 1989, J. Exp. Med.
169:363-68 and Yang et al., 1989, Blood 74:1880-84, which are both
incorporated by reference herein in their entireties), or a fusion
protein comprising IL-9, an analog, derivative or a fragment
thereof. The IL-9 polypeptide may be from any species. The
nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences of IL-9 polypeptides can be
found in the literature or public databases, or the nucleotide
and/or amino acid sequences can be determined using cloning and
sequencing techniques known to one of skill in the art. For
example, the nucleotide sequence of human IL-9 can be found in the
GenBank database (see, e.g., Accession No. NM.sub.--000590; FIG.
12). The amino acid sequence of human IL-9 can be found in the
GenBank database (see, e.g., Accession Nos. A60480, NP.sub.--000584
and AAC17735; FIG. 13) and in U.S. Provisional Application No.
60/371,683, entitled, "Recombinant Anti-Interleukin-9 Antibodies,"
filed Apr. 12, 2002 (the amino acid sequence of human IL-9 on page
15 is specifically incorporated herein by reference). In a
preferred embodiment, an IL-9 polypeptide is human IL-9, an analog,
derivative or a fragment thereof.
[0116] As used herein, the terms "IL-9 receptor" and "IL-9R" refer
to an IL-9 receptor or an analog, derivative, or fragment thereof,
or a fusion protein comprising an IL-9 receptor, an analog,
derivative, or a fragment thereof. As used herein, the terms "one
or more subunits" and "a subunit" in the context of an IL-9R refer
to the IL-9R ligand-specific alpha subunit ("IL-9R.alpha.") and/or
common .gamma..sub.c chain (also present in IL-2R, IL-4R, IL-7R,
and IL-15R complexes) of the functional IL-9R or an analog,
derivative, or fragment thereof. In a preferred embodiment, a
functional IL-9R mediates a proliferative response in T cells
treated with IL-9 as determined by any cell proliferation assay
known to those skilled in the art (e.g., a [.sup.3H]-thymidine
incorporation assay or a hexosaminidase assay) (see, e.g., Renauld
et al., 1992, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 89:5690-94 and Bauer et
al., 1998, J. Biol. Chem. 273:9255-60, which are both incorporated
by reference herein in their entireties). Preferably, treating a T
cell line expressing a functional EL-9R (e.g., TS1 RA3 cells
(R&D Systems) expressing both human and murine IL-9R.alpha.)
with IL-9, results in a dose-dependent increase in T cell
proliferation, as measured by any cell proliferation assay known to
those skilled in the art (see, Renauld et al., 1992, Proc. Natl.
Acad. Sci. USA, 89:5690-94 and Bauer et al., 1998, J. Biol. Chem.
273:9255-60). In another preferred embodiment, a functional IL-9R,
comprising the .gamma..sub.c and IL-9R.alpha. chains, initiates a
signaling cascade through the Janus kinases JAK1 and JAK3, thereby
activating homo- and heterodimers of the signal transducer and
activator transcription (STAT) factors STAT-1, STAT-3 and STAT-5
(see, Bauer et al., 1998, J. Biol. Chem. 273:9255-60). In another
preferred embodiment, a functional IL-9R may prevent apoptosis in a
mechanism involving STAT-3 and STAT-5, as determined by apoptosis
assays known to those skilled in the art (see, Bauer et al., 1998,
J. Biol. Chem. 273:9255-60). The IL-9R or one or more subunits
thereof may be from any species. The nucleotide and/or amino acid
sequences of the IL-9R and the subunits thereof can be found in the
literature or in public databases, or the nucleotide and/or amino
acid sequences can be determined using cloning and sequencing
techniques known to one of skill in the art. For example, the
nucleotide sequence of human IL-9R can be found in the GenBank
database (see, e.g., Accession Nos. NM.sub.--002186,
NM.sub.--176786, and NM.sub.--000206; FIG. 14). The amino acid
sequence of human IL-9R can be found in the GenBank database (see,
e.g., Accession Nos. NP.sub.--002177; NP.sub.--789743, and
NP.sub.--000197; FIG. 15) and in U.S. Provisional Application No.
60/371,683, entitled, "Recombinant Anti-Interleukin-9 Antibodies,"
filed Apr. 12, 2002 (the amino acid sequence of human IL-9R on page
16 is herein specifically incorporated by reference). In a
preferred embodiment, an IL-9R or one or more subunits thereof is a
human IL-9R or one or more subunits thereof, an analog, derivative,
or a fragment thereof.
[0117] As used herein, the term "immunomodulatory agent" and
variations thereof including, but not limited to, immunomodulatory
agents, immunomodulants or immunomodulatory drugs, refer to an
agent that modulates a host's immune system. In a specific
embodiment, an immunomodulatory agent is an agent that shifts one
aspect of a subject's immune response. In certain embodiments, an
immunomodulatory agent is an agent that inhibits or reduces a
subject's immune system (i.e., an immunosuppressant agent). In
certain other embodiments, an immunomodulatory agent is an agent
that activates or increases a subject's immune system (i.e., an
immunostimulatory agent). In accordance with the invention, an
immunomodulatory agent used in the combination therapies of the
invention does not include an antibody of the invention.
Immunomodulatory agents include, but are not limited to, small
molecules, peptides, polypeptides, proteins, nucleic acids (e.g.,
DNA and RNA nucleotides including, but not limited to, antisense
nucleotide sequences, triple helices, RNAi, and nucleotide
sequences encoding biologically active proteins, polypeptides or
peptides), antibodies, synthetic or natural inorganic molecules,
mimetic agents, and synthetic or natural organic molecules.
[0118] As used herein, the term "immunospecifically binds to an
antigen" and analogous terms refer to peptides, polypeptides,
proteins, fusion proteins and antibodies or fragments thereof that
specifically bind to an antigen or a fragment and do not
specifically bind to other antigens. A peptide, polypeptide,
protein, or antibody that immunospecifically binds to an antigen
may bind to other peptides, polypeptides, or proteins with lower
affinity as determined by, e.g., immunoassays, BIAcore, or other
assays known in the art. Antibodies or fragments that
immunospecifically bind to an antigen may be cross-reactive with
related antigens. Preferably, antibodies or fragments that
immunospecifically bind to an antigen do not cross-react with other
antigens. An antibody binds specifically to an antigen when it
binds to the antigen with higher affinity than to any
cross-reactive antigen as determined using experimental techniques,
such as radioimmunoassays (RIAs) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent
assays (ELISAs). See, e.g., Paul, ed., 1989, Fundamental
Immunology, 2nd ed., Raven Press, New York at pages 332-336 for a
discussion regarding antibody specificity.
[0119] As used herein, the term "immunospecifically binds to an
IL-9 polypeptide" and analogous terms refer to peptides,
polypeptides, proteins, fusion proteins, and antibodies or
fragments thereof that specifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide and
do not specifically bind to other polypeptides. The term
"immunospecifically binds to an IL-9R" and analogous terms refer to
peptides, polypeptides, proteins, fusion proteins, and antibodies
or fragments thereof that specifically bind to an IL-9 receptor or
one or more of subunits thereof and do not specifically bind to
other receptors. A peptide, polypeptide, protein, or antibody that
immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide or an IL-9R may
bind to other peptides, polypeptides, or proteins with lower
affinity as determined by, e.g., immunoassays, BIAcore, or other
assays known in the art. Antibodies or fragments that
immunospecifically bind to an 1IL-9 polypeptide or an IL-9R may be
cross-reactive with related antigens. Preferably, antibodies or
fragments that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide or an
IL-9R thereof do not cross-react with other antigens. Antibodies or
fragments that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide or an
IL-9R can be identified, for example, by immunoassays, BIAcore, or
other techniques known to those of skill in the art. An antibody or
fragment thereof binds specifically to an IL-9 polypeptide or an
IL-9R when it binds to an 1IL-9 polypeptide or IL-9R with higher
affinity than to any cross-reactive antigen as determined using
experimental techniques, such as radioimmunoassays (RIAs) and
enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). See, e.g., Paul, ed.,
1989, Fundamental Immunology, 2nd ed., Raven Press, New York at
pages 332-336 for a discussion regarding antibody specificity. In a
preferred embodiment, an antibody that immunospecifically binds to
an IL-9 polypeptide does not bind or cross-react with other
antigens. In another embodiment, an antibody that
immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide that is a fusion
protein specifically binds to the portion of the fusion protein
that is IL-9.
[0120] As used herein, the term "in combination" refers to the use
of more than one therapy (e.g., more than one prophylactic agent
and/or therapeutic agent). The use of the term "in combination"
does not restrict the order in which therapies (e.g., prophylactic
and/or therapeutic agents) are administered to a subject with a
disease or disorder. A first therapy (e.g., a first prophylactic or
therapeutic agent) can be administered prior to (e.g., 5 minutes,
15 minutes, 30 minutes, 45 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, 6
hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours, 96 hours, 1 week, 2
weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 5 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks, or 12 weeks
before), concomitantly with, or subsequent to (e.g., 5 minutes, 15
minutes, 30 minutes, 45 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours,
12 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours, 96 hours, 1 week, 2 weeks,
3 weeks, 4 weeks, 5 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks, or 12 weeks after) the
administration of a second therapy (e.g., a second prophylactic or
therapeutic agent) to a subject with a disorder.
[0121] As used herein, the term "isolated" in the context of an
organic or inorganic molecule (whether it be a small or large
molecule), other than a proteinaceous agent or nucleic acid
molecule, refers to an organic or inorganic molecule substantially
free of a different organic or inorganic molecule. Preferably, an
organic or inorganic molecule is 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%,
95%, or 99% free of a second, different organic or inorganic
molecule. In a preferred embodiment, an organic and/or inorganic
molecule is isolated.
[0122] As used herein, the term "isolated" in the context of a
proteinaceous agent (e.g., a peptide, polypeptide, fusion protein,
or antibody) refers to a proteinaceous agent which is substantially
free of cellular material or contaminating proteins from the cell
or tissue source from which it is derived, or substantially free of
chemical precursors or other chemicals when chemically synthesized.
The language "substantially free of cellular material" includes
preparations of a proteinaceous agent in which the proteinaceous
agent is separated from cellular components of the cells from which
it is isolated or recombinantly produced. Thus, a proteinaceous
agent that is substantially free of cellular material includes
preparations of a proteinaceous agent having less than about 30%,
20%, 10%, or 5% (by dry weight) of heterologous protein,
polypeptide, peptide, or antibody (also referred to as a
"contaminating protein"). When the proteinaceous agent is
recombinantly produced, it is also preferably substantially free of
culture medium, i.e., culture medium represents less than about
20%, 10%, or 5% of the volume of the proteinaceous agent
preparation. When the proteinaceous agent is produced by chemical
synthesis, it is preferably substantially free of chemical
precursors or other chemicals, i.e., it is separated from chemical
precursors or other chemicals which are involved in the synthesis
of the proteinaceous agent. Accordingly, such preparations of a
proteinaceous agent have less than about 30%, 20%, 10%, 5% (by dry
weight) of chemical precursors or compounds other than the
proteinaceous agent of interest. In a specific embodiment,
proteinaceous agents disclosed herein are isolated. In a preferred
embodiment, an antibody of the invention is isolated. In a specific
embodiment, an "isolated" antibody is purified by a multi-step
purification process that comprises three chromatography steps
(cation exchange, protein A and anion exchange), a nanofiltration
step, and a low pH treatment step (for a detailed description, see
Section 6, infra).
[0123] As used herein, the term "isolated" in the context of
nucleic acid molecules refers to a nucleic acid molecule which is
separated from other nucleic acid molecules which are present in
the natural source of the nucleic acid molecule. Moreover, an
"isolated" nucleic acid molecule, such as a cDNA molecule, can be
substantially free of other cellular material, or culture medium
when produced by recombinant techniques, or substantially free of
chemical precursors or other chemicals when chemically synthesized;
however, "isolated" excludes members of a library of clones such as
a cDNA library. In a preferred embodiment, a nucleic acid molecule
encoding an antibody of the invention is isolated.
[0124] As used herein, the terms "manage," "managing," and
"management" refer to the beneficial effects that a subject derives
from a therapy (e.g., a prophylactic or therapeutic agent), which
does not result in a cure of the disease. In certain embodiments, a
subject is administered one or more therapies (e.g., one or more
prophylactic or therapeutic agents) to "manage" a disease so as to
prevent the progression or worsening of the disease.
[0125] As used herein, the term "mast cell modulator" refers to an
agent which modulates the activation of a mast cell, mast cell
degranulation, and/or expression of a particular protein such as a
cytokine. Such an agent may directly or indirectly modulate the
activation of a mast cell, degranulation of the mast cell, and/or
the expression of a particular protein such as a cytokine.
Non-limiting examples of mast cell modulators include, but are not
limited to, small molecules, peptides, polypeptides, proteins,
nucleic acids (e.g., DNA and RNA nucleotides including, but not
limited to, antisense nucleotide sequences, triple helices, RNAi,
and nucleotide sequences encoding biologically active proteins,
polypeptides, or peptides), fusion proteins, antibodies, synthetic
or natural inorganic molecules, synthetic or natural organic
molecule, or mimetic agents which inhibit and/or reduce the
expression, function, and/or activity of a stem cell factor, a mast
cell protease, a cytokine (such as IL-3, IL-4, and IL-9), a
cytokine receptor (such as EL-3R, WL-4R, and IL-9R), and a stem
cell receptor. Other non-limiting examples of mast cell modulators
include, but are not limited to small molecules, peptides,
polypeptides, proteins, nucleic acids (e.g., DNA and RNA
nucleotides including, but not limited to, antisense nucleotide
sequences, triple helices, RNAi, and nucleotide sequences encoding
biologically active proteins, polypeptides, or peptides), fusion
proteins, antibodies, synthetic or natural inorganic molecules,
synthetic or natural organic molecule, or mimetic agents which
inhibit and/or reduce the expression, function and/or activity of
IgE. In certain embodiments, a mast cell modulator is an agent that
prevents or reduces the activation of additional mast cells
following degranulation of mast cells. In other embodiments, a mast
cell modulator is an agent that inhibits or reduces mast cell
degranulation. In accordance with the invention, a mast cell
modulator used in the combination therapies of the invention does
not include an antibody of the invention.
[0126] As used herein, the terms "non-responsive" and refractory"
describe patients treated with a currently available therapy (e.g.,
prophylactic or therapeutic agent) for a disorder, (e.g., a disease
or disorder characterized by aberrant expression and/or activity of
an IL-9 polypeptide, a disease or disorder characterized by
aberrant expression and/or activity of an WL-9 receptor or one or
more subunits thereof, an autoimmune disease, an inflammatory
disease, a proliferative disease, or an infection (preferably, a
respiratory infection) or one or more symptoms thereof) which is
not clinically adequate to relieve one or more symptoms associated
with the disorder. Typically, such patients suffer from severe,
persistently active disease and require additional therapy to
ameliorate the symptoms associated with the disorder.
[0127] As used herein, the phrase "pharmaceutically acceptable"
means approved by a regulatory agency of the federal or a state
government, or listed in the U.S. Pharmacopeia, European
Pharmacopeia, or other generally recognized pharmacopeia for use in
animals, and more particularly, in humans.
[0128] As used herein, the terms "prevent," "preventing," and
"prevention" refer to the inhibition of the development or onset of
a disease or disorder (e.g., a disease or disorder characterized by
aberrant expression and/or activity of an IL-9 polypeptide, a
disease or disorder characterized by aberrant expression and/or
activity of an IL-9 receptor or one or more subunits thereof, an
autoimmune disease, an inflammatory disease, a proliferative
disease, or an infection (preferably, a respiratory infection) or
one or more symptoms thereof) or the prevention of the recurrence,
onset, or development of one or more symptoms of such a disease or
disorder in a subject resulting from the administration of a
therapy (e.g., a prophylactic or therapeutic agent), or the
administration of a combination of therapies (e.g., a combination
of prophylactic and/or therapeutic agents).
[0129] As used herein, the terms "prophylactic agent" and
"prophylactic agents" refer to any agent(s) which can be used in
the prevention of a disease or disorder (e.g., a disease or
disorder characterized by aberrant expression and/or activity of an
IL-9 polypeptide, a disease or disorder characterized by aberrant
expression and/or activity of an IL-9 receptor or one or more
subunits thereof, an autoimmune disease, an inflammatory disease, a
proliferative disease, or an infection (preferably, a respiratory
infection) or one or more symptoms thereof). In certain
embodiments, the term "prophylactic agent" refers to an antibody
that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide. In certain
other embodiments, the term "prophylactic agent" refers to an agent
other than an antibody that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9
polypeptide. Preferably, a prophylactic agent is an agent which is
known to be useful to or has been or is currently being used to the
prevent or impede the onset, development, progression and/or
severity of such a disease or disorder. Prophylactic agents may be
characterized as different agents based upon one or more effects
that the agents have in vitro and/or in vivo. For example, a mast
cell modulator may also be characterized as an immunomodulatory
agent.
[0130] As used herein, the term "prophylactically effective amount"
refers to the amount of a therapy (e.g., prophylactic agent) which
is sufficient to result in the prevention of the development,
recurrence, or onset of a disease or disorder (e.g., a disease or
disorder characterized by aberrant expression and/or activity of an
IL-9 polypeptide, a disease or disorder characterized by aberrant
expression and/or activity of an IL-9 receptor or one or more
subunits thereof, an autoimmune disease, an inflammatory disease, a
proliferative disease, or an infection (preferably, a respiratory
infection) or one or more symptoms thereof), or to enhance or
improve the prophylactic effect(s) of another therapy (e.g., a
prophylactic agent).
[0131] As used herein, a "prophylactic protocol" refers to a
regimen for dosing and timing the administration of one or more
therapies (e.g., one or more prophylactic agents) that has a
prophylactic effect.
[0132] A used herein, a "protocol" includes dosing schedules and
dosing regimens. The protocols herein are methods of use and
include prophylactic and therapeutic protocols.
[0133] As used herein, the phrase "side effects" encompasses
unwanted and adverse effects of a prophylactic or therapeutic
agent. Side effects are always unwanted, but unwanted effects are
not necessarily adverse. An adverse effect from a therapy (e.g., a
prophylactic or therapeutic agent) might be harmful, uncomfortable,
or risky.
[0134] As used herein, the term "small molecules" and analogous
terms include, but are not limited to, peptides, peptidomimetics,
amino acids, amino acid analogs, polynucleotides, polynucleotide
analogs, nucleotides, nucleotide analogs, organic or inorganic
compounds (i.e., including heteroorganic and organometallic
compounds) having a molecular weight less than about 10,000 grams
per mole, organic or inorganic compounds having a molecular weight
less than about 5,000 grams per mole, organic or inorganic
compounds having a molecular weight less than about 1,000 grams per
mole, organic or inorganic compounds having a molecular weight less
than about 500 grams per mole, and salts, esters, and other
pharmaceutically acceptable forms of such agents.
[0135] As used herein, the terms "subject" and "patient" are used
interchangeably. As used herein, the terms "subject" and "subjects"
refer to an animal, preferably a mammal including a non-primate
(e.g., a cow, pig, horse, cat, dog, rat, and mouse) and a primate
(e.g., a monkey, such as a cynomolgous monkey, chimpanzee, and a
human), and more preferably a human. In a certain embodiment, the
subject is a mammal, preferably a human, with a disease or disorder
(e.g., a disease or disorder characterized by aberrant expression
and/or activity of an IL-9 polypeptide, a disease or disorder
characterized by aberrant expression and/or activity of an IL-9
receptor or one or more subunits thereof, an autoimmune disease, an
inflammatory disease, a proliferative disease, or an infection
(preferably, a respiratory infection) or one or more symptoms
thereof). In another embodiment, the subject is a farm animal
(e.g., a horse, pig, or cow) or a pet (e.g., a dog or cat) with a
disorder (e.g., a disease or disorder characterized by aberrant
expression and/or activity of an IL-9 polypeptide, a disease or
disorder characterized by aberrant expression and/or activity of an
IL-9 receptor or one or more subunits thereof, an autoimmune
disease, an inflammatory disease, a proliferative disease, or an
infection (preferably, a respiratory infection) or one or more
symptoms thereof). In another embodiment, the subject is a mammal
(e.g., an immunocompromised or immunosuppressed mammal), preferably
a human, at risk of developing a disorder (e.g., a disease or
disorder characterized by aberrant expression and/or activity of an
IL-9 polypeptide, a disease or disorder characterized by aberrant
expression and/or activity of an IL-9 receptor or one or more
subunits thereof, an autoimmune disease, an inflammatory disease, a
proliferative disease, or an infection (preferably, a respiratory
infection) or one or more symptoms thereof). In another embodiment,
the subject is not an immunocompromised or immunosuppressed mammal,
preferably a human. In another embodiment, the subject is a mammal,
preferably a human, with a lymphocyte count that is not under
approximately 500 cells/mm.sup.3. In another embodiment, the
subject is a human infant or a human infant born prematurely. In
another embodiment, the subject is a human child or a human adult.
In another embodiment, the subject is a human child with
bronchopulmonary dysplasia, congenital heart diseases, or cystic
fibrosis. In another embodiment, the subject is an elderly human.
In yet another embodiment, the subject is a human in an institution
or group home, such as, but not limited to, a nursing home.
[0136] As used herein, the term "synergistic" refers to a
combination of therapies (e.g., prophylactic or therapeutic agents)
which is more effective than the additive effects of any two or
more single therapies (e.g., one or more prophylactic or
therapeutic agents). A synergistic effect of a combination of
therapies (e.g., a combination of prophylactic or therapeutic
agents) permits the use of lower dosages of one or more of
therapies (e.g., one or more prophylactic or therapeutic agents)
and/or less frequent administration of said therapies to a subject
with a respiratory condition. The ability to utilize lower dosages
of therapies (e.g., prophylactic or therapeutic agents) and/or to
administer said therapies less frequently reduces the toxicity
associated with the administration of said therapies to a subject
without reducing the efficacy of said therapies in the prevention
or treatment of a respiratory condition. In addition, a synergistic
effect can result in improved efficacy of therapies (e.g.,
prophylactic or therapeutic agents) in the prevention or treatment
of a respiratory condition. Finally, the synergistic effect of a
combination of therapies (e.g., prophylactic or therapeutic agents)
may avoid or reduce adverse or unwanted side effects associated
with the use of any single therapy.
[0137] As used herein, the term "T cell receptor modulator" refers
to an agent which modulates the phosphorylation of a T cell
receptor, the activation of a signal transduction pathway
associated with a T cell receptor and/or the expression of a
particular protein associated with T cell receptor activity such as
a cytokine. Such an agent may directly or indirectly modulate the
phosphorylation of a T cell receptor, the activation of a signal
transduction pathway associated with a T cell receptor, and/or the
expression of a particular protein associated with T cell receptor
activity such as a cytokine. Examples of T cell receptor modulators
include, but are not limited to, peptides, polypeptides, proteins,
fusion proteins and antibodies which immunospecifically bind to a T
cell receptor or a fragment thereof. Further, examples of T cell
receptor modulators include, but are not limited to, proteins,
peptides, polypeptides (e.g., soluble T cell receptors), fusion
proteins and antibodies that immunospecifically bind to a ligand
for a T cell receptor or fragments thereof.
[0138] As used herein, the terms "therapeutic agent" and
"therapeutic agents" refer to any agent(s) which can be used in the
prevention, treatment, management, or amelioration of a disease or
disorder (e.g., a disease or disorder characterized by aberrant
expression and/or activity of an IL-9 polypeptide, a disease or
disorder characterized by aberrant expression and/or activity of an
IL-9 receptor or one or more subunits thereof, an autoimmune
disease, an inflammatory disease, a proliferative disease, or an
infection (preferably, a respiratory infection) or one or more
symptoms thereof). In certain embodiments, the term "therapeutic
agent" refers to an antibody that binds to an IL-9 polypeptide. In
certain other embodiments, the term "therapeutic agent" refers an
agent other than an antibody that immunospecifically binds to an
IL-9 polypeptide. Preferably, a therapeutic agent is an agent that
is known to be useful for, or has been or is currently being used
for the prevention, treatment, management, or amelioration of such
a disease or disorder. Therapeutic agents may be characterized as
different agents based upon one or more effects the agents have in
vivo and/or in vitro, for example, an anti-inflammatory agent may
also be characterized as an immunomodulatory agent.
[0139] As used herein, the term "therapeutically effective amount"
refers to the amount of a therapy (e.g., an antibody that
immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide), that is
sufficient to reduce the severity of a disease or disorder (e.g., a
disease or disorder characterized by aberrant expression and/or
activity of an IL-9 polypeptide, a disease or disorder
characterized by aberrant expression and/or activity of an IL-9
receptor or one or more subunits thereof, an autoimmune disease, an
inflammatory disease, a proliferative disease, or an infection
(preferably, a respiratory infection) or one or more symptoms
thereof), reduce the duration of a respiratory condition,
ameliorate one or more symptoms of such a disease or disorder,
prevent the advancement of such a disease or disorder, cause
regression of such a disease or disorder, or enhance or improve the
therapeutic effect(s) of another therapy.
[0140] The terms "therapies" and "therapy" can refer to any
protocol(s), method(s), and/or agent(s) that can be used in the
prevention, treatment, management, or amelioration of a disease or
disorder (e.g., a disease or disorder characterized by aberrant
expression and/or activity of an IL-9 polypeptide, a disease or
disorder characterized by aberrant expression and/or activity of an
IL-9 receptor or one or more subunits thereof, an autoimmune
disease, an inflammatory disease, a proliferative disease, or an
infection (preferably, a respiratory infection) or one or more
symptoms thereof). In certain embodiments, the terms "therapy" and
"therapy" refer to anti-viral therapy, anti-bacterial therapy,
anti-fungal therapy, biological therapy, supportive therapy, and/or
other therapies useful in treatment, management, prevention, or
amelioration of such a disease or disorder or one or more symptoms
known to skilled medical personnel.
[0141] As used herein, the term "therapeutic protocol" refers to a
regimen for dosing and timing the administration of one or more
therapies (e.g., therapeutic agents) that has a therapeutic
effective.
[0142] As used herein, the terms "treat," "treatment," and
"treating" refer to the reduction or amelioration of the
progression, severity, and/or duration of such a disease or
disorder (e.g., a disease or disorder characterized by aberrant
expression and/or activity of an IL-9 polypeptide, a disease or
disorder characterized by aberrant expression and/or activity of an
IL-9 receptor or one or more subunits thereof, an autoimmune
disease, an inflammatory disease, a proliferative disease, or an
infection (preferably, a respiratory infection)) or the
amelioration of one or more symptoms thereof resulting from the
administration of one or more therapies (including, but not limited
to, the administration of one or more prophylactic or therapeutic
agents). In certain embodiments, such terms refer to a reduction in
the swelling of organs or tissues, or a reduction in the pain
associated with a respiratory condition. In other embodiments, such
terms refer to a reduction in the inflammation or constriction of
an airway(s) associated with asthma. In other embodiments, such
terms refer to a reduction in the replication of an infectious
agent, or a reduction in the spread of an infectious agent to other
organs or tissues in a subject or to other subjects. In other
embodiments, such terms refer to the reduction of the release of
inflammatory agents by mast cells, or the reduction of the
biological effect of such inflammatory agents. In other
embodiments, such terms refer to a reduction of the growth,
formation and/or increase in the number of hyperproliferative cells
(e.g., cancerous cells). In yet other embodiments, such terms refer
to the eradication, removal or control of primary, regional or
metastatic cancer (e.g., the minimization or delay of the spread of
cancer).
4. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0143] FIGS. 1A-B show the amino acid sequences of the (A) variable
heavy domain (SEQ ID NO.: 7) of 4D4 with the VH CDR1 (SEQ ID NO.:
1), the VH CDR2 (SEQ ID NO.:61), and the VH CDR3 (SEQ ID NO.: 3)
underlined, starting in order from VH CDR1 at the far left; and (B)
variable light domain (SEQ ID. NO.: 8) of 4D4, with the VL CDR1
(SEQ ID NO.: 4), the VL CDR2 (SEQ ID NO.: 5), and the VL CDR3 (SEQ
ID NO.: 6) underlined, starting in order from VL CDR1 at the far
left.
[0144] FIGS. 2A-B show the amino acid sequences of the (A) variable
heavy domain (SEQ ID NO.: 9) of 4D4H2-1 D11, with the VH CDR1 (SEQ
ID NO.: 1), the VH CDR2 (SEQ ID NO.: 10), and the VH CDR3 (SEQ ID
NO.: 3) underlined, starting in order from VH CDR1 at the far left;
and (B) variable light domain (SEQ ID. NO.: 8) of 4D4H2-1 D11, the
VL CDR1 (SEQ ID NO.: 4), the VL CDR2 (SEQ ID NO.: 5), and the VL
CDR3 (SEQ ID NO.: 6) underlined, starting in order from VL CDR1 at
the far left.
[0145] FIGS. 3A-B show the amino acid sequences of the (A) variable
heavy domain (SEQ ID NO.: 15) of 4D4com-XF-9, with the VH CDR1 (SEQ
ID NO.: 11), the VH CDR2 (SEQ ID NO.: 10), and the VH CDR3 (SEQ ID
NO.: 12) underlined, starting in order from VH CDR1 at the far
left; and (B) variable light domain (SEQ ID. NO.: 16) of
4D4com-XF-9, the VL CDR1 (SEQ ID NO.: 13), the VL CDR2 (SEQ ID NO.:
14), and the VL CDR3 (SEQ ID NO.:63) underlined, starting in order
from VL CDR1 at the far left.
[0146] FIGS. 4A-B show the amino acid sequences of the (A) variable
heavy domain (SEQ ID NO.: 17) of 4D4com-2F9, with the VH CDR1 (SEQ
ID NO.: 1), the VH CDR2 (SEQ ID NO.: 10), and the VH CDR3 (SEQ ID
NO.: 12) underlined, starting in order from VH CDR1 at the far
left; and (B) variable light domain (SEQ ID. NO.: 18) of
4D4com-2F9, with the VL CDR1 (SEQ ID NO.: 4), the VL CDR2 (SEQ ID
NO.: 14), and the VL CDR3 (SEQ ID NO.:64) underlined, starting in
order from VL CDR1 at the far left.
[0147] FIGS. 5A-B show the amino acid sequences of the (A) variable
heavy domain (SEQ ID NO.: 21) of 7F3, with the VH CDR1 (SEQ ID NO.:
19), the VH CDR2 (SEQ ID NO.:61), and the VH CDR3 (SEQ ID NO.: 3)
underlined, starting in order from VH CDR1 at the far left; and (B)
variable light domain (SEQ ID. NO.: 22) of 7F3, with the VL CDR1
(SEQ ID NO.: 4), the VL CDR2 (SEQ ID NO.: 5), and the VL CDR3 (SEQ
ID NO.: 20) underlined, starting in order from VL CDR1 at the far
left.
[0148] FIGS. 6A-B show the amino acid sequences of the (A) variable
heavy domain (SEQ ID NO.: 23) of 71A10, with the VH CDR1 (SEQ ID
NO.: 19), the VH CDR2 (SEQ ID NO.: 2), and the VH CDR3 (SEQ ID NO.:
3) underlined, starting in order from VH CDR1 at the far left; and
(B) variable light domain (SEQ ID. NO.: 24) of 71A10, the VL CDR1
(SEQ ID NO.: 4), the VL CDR2 (SEQ ID NO.: 5), and the VL CDR3 (SEQ
ID NO.: 20) underlined, starting in order from VL CDR 1 at the far
left.
[0149] FIGS. 7A-B show the amino acid sequences of the (A) variable
heavy domain (SEQ ID NO.: 21) of 7F3 22D3, with the VH CDR1 (SEQ ID
NO.: 19), the VH CDR2 (SEQ ID NO.:61), and the VH CDR3 (SEQ ID NO.:
3) underlined, starting in order from VH CDR1 at the far left; and
(B) variable light domain (SEQ ID. NO.: 25) of 7F3 22D3, with the
VL CDR1 (SEQ ID NO.: 4), the VL CDR2 (SEQ ID NO.: 14), and the VL
CDR3 (SEQ ID NO.: 20) underlined, starting in order from VL CDR1 at
the far left.
[0150] FIGS. 8A-B show the amino acid sequences of the (A) variable
heavy domain (SEQ ID NO.: 27) of 7F3com-2H2, the VH CDR1 (SEQ ID
NO.: 26), with the VH CDR2 (SEQ ID NO.: 2), and the VH CDR3 (SEQ ID
NO.: 3) are underlined, starting in order from VH CDR1 at the far
left; and (B) variable light domain (SEQ ID. NO.: 28) of
7F3com-2H2, the VL CDR1 (SEQ ID NO.:62), the VL CDR2 (SEQ ID
NO.:65), and the VL CDR3 (SEQ ID NO.: 20) underlined, starting in
order from VL CDR1 at the far left.
[0151] FIGS. 9A-B show the nucleotide sequences of the (A) variable
heavy domain (SEQ ID NO.: 43) of 7F3com-2H2 with the VH CDR1 (SEQ
ID NO.: 44), the VH CDR2 (SEQ ID NO.: 45) and the VH CDR3 (SEQ ID
NO.: 46) underlined, starting in order from VH CDR1 at the far
left; and (B) variable light domain (SEQ ID NO.: 47) of 7F3com-2H2
with the VL CDR1 (SEQ ID NO.: 48), the VL CDR2 (SEQ ID NO.:49), and
the VL CDR3 (SEQ ID NO.: 50) underlined, starting in order from VL
CDR1 at the far left.
[0152] FIGS. 10A-B show the amino acid sequences of the (A)
variable heavy domain (SEQ ID NO.: 29) of 7F3com-3H5, with the VH
CDR1 (SEQ ID NO.: 19), the VH CDR2 (SEQ ID NO.: 2), and the VH CDR3
(SEQ ID NO.: 3) underlined, starting in order from VH CDR1 at the
far left and (B) variable light domain (SEQ ID. NO.: 30) of
7F3com-3H5, with the VL CDR1 (SEQ ID NO.: 4), the VL CDR2 (SEQ ID
NO.: 14), and the VL CDR3 (SEQ ID NO.: 20) underlined, starting in
order from VL CDR1 at the far left.
[0153] FIGS. 11A-B show the amino acid sequences of the (A)
variable heavy domain (SEQ ID NO.: 31) of 7F3com-3D4, with the VH
CDR1 (SEQ ID NO.: 26), the VH CDR2 (SEQ ID NO.: 2), and the VH CDR3
(SEQ ID NO.: 3) underlined, starting in order from VH CDR1 at the
far left and (B) variable light domain (SEQ ID. NO.: 32) of
7F3com-3D4, with the VL CDR1 (SEQ ID NO.:62), the VL CDR2 (SEQ ID
NO.: 14), and the VL CDR3 (SEQ ID NO.: 20) underlined, starting in
order from VL CDR1 at the far left.
[0154] FIG. 12 shows the nucleotide sequence of human IL-9 (SEQ ID
NO.: 51) located in the GenBank database (Accession Nos.
NM.sub.--000590).
[0155] FIG. 13 shows the amino acid sequence for human IL-9 located
in the GenBank database (Accession Nos. A60480 (SEQ ID NO.: 52),
NP.sub.--000584 (SEQ ID NO.: 53) and AAC17735 (SEQ ID NO.:
54)).
[0156] FIGS. 14A-C shows the nucleotide sequence of human IL-9R
subunits found in the GenBank database (Accession Nos.
NM.sub.--002186 (SEQ ID NO.: 55), NM.sub.--176786 (SEQ ID NO.: 56),
and NM.sub.--000206 (SEQ ID NO.: 57)). (A) Accession No.
NM.sub.--002186 and (B) Accession No. NM.sub.--176786 are the
nucleotide sequences of human IL-9R alpha subunit isoform
precursors. (C) Accession No. NM.sub.--000206 is the nucleotide
sequence of the human IL-9R gamma chain.
[0157] FIG. 15 shows the amino acid sequence of human IL-9R found
in the GenBank database (Accession Nos. NP.sub.--002177 (SEQ ID
NO.: 58); NP.sub.--789743 (SEQ ID NO.: 59), and NP.sub.--000197
(SEQ ID NO.: 60)). Accession Nos. NP.sub.--002177 and
NP.sub.--789743 are the amino acid sequences of human IL-9R alpha
subunit isoform precursors. NP.sub.--000197 is the amino acid
sequence of the human IL-9R gamma chain.
5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0158] The present invention provides antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an interleukin-9 ("IL-9") polypeptide
(preferably, a human IL-9 polypeptide). In particular, the
invention provides the following antibodies that immunospecifically
bind to an L-9 polypeptide: 4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11, 4D4com-XF-9,
4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 7F3 22D3, 7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5, or
7F3com-3D4. The present invention also provides for antibodies
comprising a variable heavy ("VH") domain and/or a variable light
("VL") domain having an amino acid sequence of the VH domain and/or
VL domain, respectively, of 4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11, 4D4com-XF-9,
4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 7F3 22D3, 7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5, or
7F3com-3D4. Such antibodies may further comprise any constant
region known in the art, preferably any human constant region known
in the art, including, but not limited to, human light chain kappa
(.kappa.), human light chain lambda (.lamda.), the constant region
of IgG.sub.1, the constant region of IgG.sub.2, the constant region
of IgG.sub.3 or the constant region of IgG.sub.4. In addition, the
present invention provides for antibodies comprising one or more
complementarity determining regions ("CDRs") of 4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11,
4D4com-XF-9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 7F3 22D3, 7F3com-2H2,
7F3com-3H5, or 7F3com-3D4.
[0159] The present invention encompasses treatment protocols that
provide better prophylactic or therapeutic profiles than current
single agent therapies or combination therapies for diseases or
disorders associated with or characterized by aberrant expression
and/or activity of an IL-9 polypeptide, diseases or disorders
associated with or characterized by aberrant expression and/or
activity of the IL-9 receptor ("IL-9R") or one or more subunits
thereof, autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, proliferative
diseases, or infections (preferably, respiratory infections), or
one or more symptoms thereof. In particular, the invention provides
prophylactic and therapeutic protocols for the prevention,
treatment, management, and/or amelioration of diseases or disorders
characterized by aberrant expression and/or activity of an IL-9
polypeptide, diseases or disorders characterized by aberrant
expression and/or activity of the IL-9 receptor or one or more
subunits thereof, autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases,
proliferative diseases, or infections (preferably, respiratory
infections), or one or more symptoms thereof, comprising
administering to a subject an effective amount of one or more of
the antibodies of the invention alone or in combination with an
effective amount of at least one therapy (e.g., a prophylactic or
therapeutic agent) other than an antibody of the invention.
[0160] The present invention provides for pharmaceutical
compositions, kits, and articles of manufacture comprising one or
more antibodies that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9
polypeptide for use in the prevention, treatment, management,
and/or amelioration of a disease or disorder characterized by
aberrant expression and/or activity of an EL-9 polypeptide, a
disease or disorder characterized by aberrant expression and/or
activity of the IL-9 receptor or one or more subunits thereof, an
autoimmune disease, an inflammatory disease, a proliferative
disease, or an infection (preferably, a respiratory infection), or
one or more symptoms thereof. The present invention also provides
for pharmaceutical compositions, kits, and articles of manufacture
comprising one or more antibodies that immunospecifically bind to
an IL-9 polypeptide and one or more prophylactic or therapeutic
agents other than antibodies of the invention for use in the
prevention, treatment, management, or amelioration of a disease or
disorder characterized by aberrant expression and/or activity of an
IL-9 polypeptide, a disease or disorder characterized by aberrant
expression and/or activity of the IL-9 receptor or one or more
subunits thereof, an autoimmune disease, an inflammatory disease, a
proliferative disease, or an infection (preferably, a respiratory
infection), or one or more symptoms thereof.
5.1 IL-9 Antibodies
[0161] The present invention provides antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide (preferably, a human
IL-9 polypeptide). In particular, the invention provides the
following antibodies that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9
polypeptide: 4D4 or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, 4D4H2-1
D11 or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, 4D4com-XF-9 or an
antigen-binding fragment thereof, 4D4com-2F9 or an antigen-binding
fragment thereof, 7F3 or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, 71A10
or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, 7F3 22D3 or an
antigen-binding fragment thereof, 7F3com-2H2 or an antigen-binding
fragment thereof, 7F3com-3H5 or an antigen-binding fragment
thereof, and 7F3com-3D4 or an antigen-binding fragment thereof. In
a preferred embodiment, an antibody that immunospecifically binds
to an IL-9 polypeptide is 7F3com-2H2 or an antigen-binding fragment
thereof (e.g., one or more CDRs of 7F3com-2H2). The constant
regions for 4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11, 4D4com-XF-9, 4D4com-2F9, 71A10, 7F3
22D3, 7F3com, 7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5, and 7F3com-3D4 are identical
to the constant regions of palivizumab (MedImmune, Inc.) IgG.sub.1
(see U.S. Pat. No. 5,824,307, issued Oct. 20, 1998).
[0162] The present invention provides antibodies that
immunospecifically bind an IL-9 polypeptide, said antibodies
comprising a VH domain having an amino acid sequence of the VH
domain of 4D4 (FIG. 1A; SEQ ID NO.: 7), 4D4H2-1 D11 (FIG. 2A; SEQ
ID NO.: 9), 4D4com-XF-9 (FIG. 3A; SEQ ID NO.: 15), 4D4com-2F9 (FIG.
4A; SEQ ID NO.: 17), 7F3 (FIG. 5A; SEQ ID NO.: 21), 71A10 (FIG. 6A;
SEQ ID NO.: 23), 7F3 22D3 (FIG. 7A; SEQ ID NO.: 21), 7F3com-2H2
(FIG. 8A; SEQ ID NO.: 27), 7F3com-3H5 (FIG. 10A; SEQ ID NO.: 29),
or 7F3com-3D4 (FIG. 11A; SEQ ID NO.: 31). In a preferred
embodiment, an antibody that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9
polypeptide comprises a VH domain having an amino acid sequence of
the VH domain of 7F3com-2H2 (FIG. 8A; SEQ ID NO: 27).
[0163] The present invention provides antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide, said antibodies
comprising a VH CDR having an amino acid sequence of any one of the
VH CDRs listed in Table 1, infra. In particular, the invention
provides antibodies that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9
polypeptide, said antibodies comprising (or alternatively,
consisting of) one, two, three, four, five or more VH CDRs having
an amino acid sequence of any of the VH CDRs listed in Table 1,
infra. In one embodiment, an antibody that immunospecifically binds
to an IL-9 polypeptide comprises a VH CDR1 having the amino acid
sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 1, SEQ ID NO.: 11, SEQ ID NO.: 19, or SEQ
ID NO.: 26. In another embodiment, an antibody that
immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide comprises a VH CDR2
having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 2, SEQ ID NO.: 10 or
SEQ ID NO.: 61. In another embodiment, an antibody that
immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide comprises a VH CDR3
having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 3 or SEQ ID NO.: 12.
In another embodiment, an antibody that immunospecifically binds to
an IL-9 polypeptide comprises a VH CDR1 having the amino acid
sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 1, SEQ ID NO.: 11, SEQ ID NO.: 19, or SEQ
ID NO.: 26 and a VH CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID
NO.: 2, SEQ ID NO.: 10 or SEQ ID NO.: 61. In another embodiment, an
antibody that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide
comprises a VH CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.:
1, SEQ ID NO.: 1, SEQ ID NO.: 19, or SEQ ID NO.: 26 and a VH CDR3
having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 3 or SEQ ID NO.: 12.
In another embodiment, an antibody that immunospecifically binds to
an IL-9 polypeptide comprises a VH CDR2 having the amino acid
sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 2, SEQ ID NO.: 10 or SEQ ID NO.: 61 and a
VH CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 3 or SEQ ID
NO.: 12. In another embodiment, an antibody that immunospecifically
binds to an IL-9 polypeptide comprises a VH CDR1 having the amino
acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 1, SEQ ID NO.: 11, SEQ ID NO.: 19, or
SEQ ID NO.: 26, a VH CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID
NO.: 2, SEQ ID NO.: 10 or SEQ ID NO.: 61, and a VH CDR3 having the
amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 3 or SEQ ID NO.: 12.
[0164] The present invention provides antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide, said antibodies
comprising a VL domain having an amino acid sequence of the VL
domain for 4D4 (FIG. 1B; SEQ ID NO.: 8), 4D4H2-1 D11 (FIG. 2B; SEQ
ID NO.: 8), 4D4com-XF-9 (FIG. 3B; SEQ ID NO.: 16), 4D4com-2F9 (FIG.
4B; SEQ ID NO.: 18), 7F3 (FIG. 5B; SEQ ID NO.: 22), 71A10 (FIG. 6B;
SEQ ID NO.: 24), 7F3 22D3 (FIG. 7B; SEQ ID NO.: 25), 7F3com-2H2
(FIG. 8B; SEQ ID NO.: 28), 7F3com-3H5 (FIG. 10B; SEQ ID NO.: 30),
or 7F3com-3D4 (FIG. 11B; SEQ ID NO.: 32). In a preferred
embodiment, an antibody that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9
polypeptide comprises a VL domain having an amino acid sequence of
the VL domain for 7F3com-2H2 (FIG. 8B; SEQ ID NO.: 28).
[0165] The present invention also provides antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide, said antibodies
comprising a VL CDR having an amino acid sequence of any one of the
VL CDRs listed in Table 1, infra. In particular, the invention
provides antibodies that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9
polypeptide, said antibodies comprising (or alternatively,
consisting of) one, two, three or more VL CDRs having an amino acid
sequence of any of the VL CDRs listed in Table 1, infra. In one
embodiment, an antibody that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9
polypeptide comprises a VL CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of
SEQ ID NO.: 4, SEQ ID NO.: 13 or SEQ ID NO.: 62. In another
embodiment, an antibody that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9
polypeptide comprises a VL CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of
SEQ ID NO.: 5, SEQ ID NO.: 14 or SEQ ID NO.: 65. In another
embodiment, an antibody that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9
polypeptide comprises a VL CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of
SEQ ID NO.: 6, SEQ ID NO.: 20, SEQ ID NO.: 63 or SEQ ID NO.: 64. In
another embodiment, an antibody of that immunospecifically binds to
an IL-9 polypeptide comprises a VL CDR 1 having the amino acid
sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 4, SEQ ID NO.: 13 or SEQ ID NO.: 62 and a
VL CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 5, SEQ ID
NO.: 14 or SEQ ID NO.: 65. In another embodiment of an antibody
that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide comprises a VL
CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 4, SEQ ID NO.:
13 or SEQ ID NO.: 62 and a VL CDR3 having the amino acid sequence
of SEQ ID NO.: 6, SEQ ID NO.: 20, SEQ ID NO.: 63 or SEQ ID NO.: 64.
In another embodiment, an antibody that immunospecifically binds to
an IL-9 polypeptide comprises a VL CDR2 having the amino acid
sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 5, SEQ ID NO.: 14 or SEQ ID NO.: 65 and a
VL CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 6, SEQ ID
NO.: 20, SEQ ID NO.: 63 or SEQ ID NO.: 64. In another embodiment,
an antibody that immunospecifically binds to an 1-9 polypeptide
comprises a VL CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.:
4, SEQ ID NO.: 13 or SEQ ID NO.: 62, a VL CDR2 having the amino
acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 5, SEQ ID NO.: 14 or SEQ ID NO.: 65,
and a VL CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 6, SEQ
ID NO.: 20, SEQ ID NO.: 63 or SEQ ID NO.: 64, being a part of the
antibody.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Residues that are different between each
amino acid sequence encoding the various CDRs appear in bold,
underlined font. Antibody VH VL Name Domain VH CDR1 VH CDR2 VH CDR3
Domain VL CDR1 VL CDR2 VL CDR3 4D4 SEQ. ID GYTFTGYWI EILPGSGTTN
ADYYGSDYV SEQ. ID KASQHVGTH STSYRYS QHFYSYPLT NO.: 7 E YNEKFKG KFDY
NO.: 8 VT (SEQ. ID (SEQ. ID (SEQ. ID (SEQ. ID (SEQ. ID (SEQ. ID
NO.: 5) NO.: 6) NO. 1): NO.: 61) NO.: 3) NO.: 4) 4D4 SEQ. ID
GYTFTGYWI EWLPGSGTT ADYYGSDYV SEQ. ID KASQHVGTH STSYRYS QHFYSYPLT
H2-1 NO.: 9 E NYNEKFKG KFDY NO.: 8 VT (SEQ. ID (SEQ. ID D11 (SEQ.
ID (SEQ. ID (SEQ. ID (SEQ. ID NO.: 5) NO.: 6) NO.: 1) NO.: 10) NO.:
3) NO.: 4) 4D4com- SEQ. ID GYTFTYYWI EWLPGSGTT ADYYGSDHV SEQ. ID
LASQHVGTH GTSYRYS QHFYDYPLT XF-9 NO.: 15 E NYNEKFKG KFDY NO.: 16 VT
(SEQ ID (SEQ ID (SEQ. ID (SEQ. ID (SEQ. ID (SEQ.ID NO.: 14) NO.:63)
NO: 11) NO.: 10) NO.: 12) NO.: 13) 4D4com- SEQ. ID GYTFTGYWI
EWLPGSGTT ADYYGSDHV SEQ. ID KASQHVGTH GTSYRYS QHFYEYPLT 2F9 NO.: 17
E NYNEKFKG KFDY NO.: 18 VT (SEQ. ID (SEQ. ID (SEQ. ID (SEQ. ID
(SEQ. ID (SEQ. ID NO.: 14) NO.: 64) NO.: 1) NO.: 10) NO.: 12) NO.:
4) 7F3 SEQ. ID GGTFSGYWI EILPGSGTIN ADYYGSDYV SEQ. ID KASQHYGTH
STSYRYS QQFYEYPLT NO.: 21 E YNEKFKG KFDY NO.: 22 VT (SEQ. ID (SEQ.
ID (SEQ. ID (SEQ. ID (SEQ. ID (SEQ. ID NO.: 5) NO.: 20) NO.: 19)
NO.: 61) NO.: 3) NO.: 4) 71A10 SEQ. ID GGTFSGYWI EILPGSGTTN
ADYYGSDYV SEQ. ID KASQHVGTH STSYRYS QQFYEYPLT NO.: 23 E PNEKFKG
KFDY NO.: 24 VT (SEQ. ID (SEQ. ID (SEQ. ID (SEQ. ID (SEQ. ID (SEQ.
ID NO.: 5) NO.: 20) NO.: 19) NO.: 2) NO.: 3) NO.: 4) 7F3 SEQ. ID
GGTFSGYWI EILPGSGTTN ADYYGSDYV SEQ. ID KASQHVGTH GTSYRYS QQFYEYPLT
22D3 NO.: 21 E YNEKFKG KFDY NO.: 25 VT (SEQ. ID (SEQ. ID (SEQ. ID
(SEQ. ID (SEQ. ID (SEQ. ID NO.: 14) NO.: 20) NO.: 19) NO.: 61) NO.:
3) NO.: 4) 7F3com- SEQ. ID GGTFSYYWI EILPGSGTTN ADYYGSDYV SEQ. ID
KASQHVITH GTSYSYS QQFYEYPLT 2H2 NO.: 27 E PNEKFKG KFDY NO.: 28 VT
(SEQ. ID (SEQ. ID (SEQ. ID (SEQ. ID (SEQ. ID (SEQ. ID NO.: 65) NO.:
20) NO.: 26) NO.: 2) NO.: 3) NO.: 62) 7F3com- SEQ. ID GGTFSGYWI
EILPGSGTTN ADYYGSDYV SEQ. ID KASQHVGTH GTSYRYS QQFYEYPLT 3H5 NO.:
29 E PNEKFKG KFDY NO.: 30 VT (SEQ. ID (SEQ. ID (SEQ. ID (SEQ. ID
(SEQ. ID (SEQ. ID NO.: 14) NO.: 20) NO.: 19) NO.: 2) NO.: 3) NO.:
4) 7F3com- SEQ. ID GGTFSYYWI EILPGSGTTN ADYYGSDYV SEQ. ID KASQHVITH
GTSYRYS QQFYEYPLT 3D4 NO.: 31 E PNEKFKG KFDY NO.: 32 VT (SEQ. ID
(SEQ. ID (SEQ. ID (SEQ. ID (SEQ. ID (SEQ. ID NO.: 14) NO.: 20) NO.:
26) NO.: 2) NO.: 3) NO.: 62)
[0166] The present invention provides antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide, said antibodies
comprising a VH domain disclosed herein combined with a VL domain
disclosed herein, or other VL domain (e.g., a VL domain disclosed
in U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/371,683, filed Apr. 12,
2002 and U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/371,728, filed
Apr. 12, 2002, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in
its entirety). The present invention also provides antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide, said antibodies
comprising a VL domain disclosed herein combined with a VH domain
disclosed herein, or other VH domain (e.g., a VH domain disclosed
in U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/371,683, filed Apr. 12,
2002 and U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/371,728, filed
Apr. 12, 2002).
[0167] The present invention provides antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide, said antibodies
comprising (or alternatively, consisting of) a VH CDR listed in
Table 1, supra and a VL CDR disclosed in U.S. provisional
application Ser. No. 60/371,683, filed Apr. 12, 2002 and U.S.
provisional application Ser. No. 60/371,728, filed Apr. 12, 2002.
The present invention also provides antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide, said antibodies
comprising (or alternatively, consisting of) a VL CDR listed in
Table 1, supra and a VH CDR disclosed in U.S. provisional
application Ser. No. 60/371,683, filed Apr. 12, 2002 and U.S.
provisional application Ser. No. 60/371,728, filed Apr. 12, 2002.
The invention further provides antibodies that immunospecifically
bind to an IL-9 polypeptide, said antibodies comprising
combinations of VH CDRs and VL CDRs described herein and disclosed
in U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/371,683, filed Apr. 12,
2002 and U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/371,728, filed
Apr. 12, 2002.
[0168] The present invention provides antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide, said antibodies
comprising one or more VH CDRs and one or more VL CDRs listed in
Table 1, supra. In particular, the invention provides an antibody
that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide, said antibody
comprising (or alternatively, consisting of) a V14 CDR1 and a VL
CDR1; a VH CDR1 and a VL CDR2; a VH CDR1 and a VL CDR3; a VH CDR2
and a VL CDR1; VH CDR2 and VL CDR2; a VH CDR2 and a VL CDR3; a VH
CDR3 and a VH CDR1; a VH CDR3 and a VL CDR2; a VH CDR3 and a VL
CDR3; a VH1 CDR1, a VH CDR2 and a VL CDR1; a VH CDR1, a VH CDR2 and
a VL CDR2; a VH CDR1, a VH CDR2 and a VL CDR3; a VH CDR2, a VH CDR3
and a VL CDR1, a VH CDR2, a VH CDR3 and a VL CDR2; a VH CDR2, a VH
CDR2 and a VL CDR3; a VH CDR1, a VL CDR1 and a VL CDR2; a VH CDR1,
a VL CDR1 and a VL CDR3; a VH CDR2, a VL CDR1 and a VL CDR2; a VH
CDR2, a VL CDR1 and a VL CDR3; a VH CDR3, a VL CDR1 and a VL CDR2;
a VH CDR3, a VL CDR1 and a VL CDR3; a VH CDR1, a VH CDR2, a VH CDR3
and a VL CDR1; a VH CDR1, a VH CDR2, a VH CDR3 and a VL CDR2; a VH
CDR1, a VH CDR2, a VH CDR3 and a VL CDR3; a VH CDR1, a VH CDR2, a
VL CDR1 and a VL CDR2; a VH CDR1, a VH CDR2, a VL CDR1 and a VL
CDR3; a VH CDR1, a VH CDR3, a VL CDR1 and a VL CDR2; a VH CDR1, a
VH CDR3, a VL CDR1 and a VL CDR3; a VH CDR2, a VH CDR3, a VL CDR1
and a VL CDR2; a VH CDR2, a VH CDR3, a VL CDR1 and a VL CDR3; a VH
CDR2, a VH CDR3, a VL CDR2 and a VL CDR3; a VH CDR1, a VH CDR2, a
VH CDR3, a VL CDR1 and a VL CDR2; a VH CDR1, a VH CDR2, a VH CDR3,
a VL CDR1 and a VL CDR3; a VH CDR1, a VH CDR2, a VL CDR1, a VL
CDR2, and a VL CDR3; a VH CDR1, a VH CDR3, a VL CDR1, a VL CDR2,
and a VL CDR3; a VH CDR2, a VH CDR3, a VL CDR1, a VL CDR2, and a VL
CDR3; or any combination thereof of the VH CDRs and VL CDRs listed
in Table 1, supra.
[0169] In one embodiment, an antibody that immunospecifically binds
to an IL-9 polypeptide comprises a VH CDR1 having the amino acid
sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 1, SEQ ID NO.: 11, SEQ ID NO.: 19, or SEQ
ID NO.: 26 and a VL CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID
NO.: 4, SEQ ID NO.: 13 or SEQ ID NO.: 62. In another embodiment, an
antibody that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide
comprises a VH CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.:
1, SEQ ID NO.: 11, SEQ ID NO.: 19, or SEQ ID NO.: 26 and a VL CDR2
having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 5, SEQ ID NO.: 14 or
SEQ ID NO.: 65. In another embodiment, an antibody that
immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide comprises a VH CDR1
having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 1, SEQ ID NO.: 11,
SEQ ID NO.: 19, or SEQ ID NO.: 26 and a VL CDR3 having an amino
acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 6, SEQ ID NO.: 20, SEQ ID NO.: 63 or
SEQ ID NO.: 64.
[0170] In one embodiment, an antibody that immunospecifically binds
to an IL-9 polypeptide comprises a VH CDR2 having the amino acid
sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 2, SEQ ID NO.: 10 or SEQ ID NO.: 61 and a
VL CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 4, SEQ ID
NO.: 13 or SEQ ID NO.: 62. In another embodiment, an antibody that
immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide comprises a VH CDR2
having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 2, SEQ ID NO.: 10 or
SEQ ID NO.: 61 and a VL CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ
ID NO.: 5, SEQ ID NO.: 14 or SEQ ID NO.: 65. In another embodiment,
an antibody that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide
comprises a VH CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.:
2, SEQ ID NO.: 10 or SEQ ID NO.: 61 and a VL CDR3 having an amino
acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 6, SEQ ID NO.: 20, SEQ ID NO.: 63 or
SEQ ID NO.: 64.
[0171] In one embodiment, an antibody that immunospecifically binds
to an IL-9 polypeptide comprises a VH CDR3 having the amino acid
sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 3 or SEQ ID NO.: 12 and a VL CDR1 having
the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 4, SEQ ID NO.: 13 or SEQ ID
NO.: 62. In another embodiment, an antibody that immunospecifically
binds to an 1-9 polypeptide comprises a VH CDR3 having the amino
acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 3 or SEQ ID NO.: 12 and a VL CDR2
having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 5 SEQ ID NO.: 14 or
SEQ ID NO.: 65. In another embodiment, an antibody that
immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide comprises a VH CDR3
having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 3 or SEQ ID NO.: 12
and a VL CDR3 having an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 6, SEQ
ID NO.: 20, SEQ ID NO.: 63 or SEQ ID NO.: 64.
[0172] The present invention provides antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide, said antibodies
encoded by a nucleic acid sequence comprising the nucleotide
sequence of 7F3com-2H2 or an antigen-binding fragment thereof. In a
specific embodiment, an antibody that immunospecifically binds to
an IL-9 polypeptide comprises a VH domain encoded by a nucleic acid
sequence having a nucleotide sequence of the VH domain of
7F3com-2H2. In another embodiment, an antibody that
immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide comprises a VL
domain encoded by a nucleic acid sequence having a nucleotide
sequence of the VL domain of 7F3com-2H2. In another embodiment, an
antibody that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide
comprises a VH domain and a VL domain encoded by a nucleic acid
sequence having a nucleotide sequence of the VH domain and VL
domain of 7F3com-2H2.
[0173] In another embodiment, an antibody that immunospecifically
binds to an IL-9 polypeptide comprises a VH CDR encoded by a
nucleic acid sequence having a nucleotide sequence of a VH CDR of
7F3com-2H2. In another embodiment, an antibody that
immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide comprises a VL CDR
encoded by a nucleic acid sequence having a nucleotide sequence of
a VL CDR of 7F3com-2H2. In another embodiment, an antibody that
immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide comprises a VH CDR
and a VL CDR encoded by a nucleic acid sequence having a nucleotide
sequence of a VH CDR and a VL CDR of 7F3com-2H2.
[0174] The present invention provides for a nucleic acid molecule,
generally isolated, encoding an antibody of the present invention
that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide. In
particular, the invention provides an isolated nucleic acid
molecule encoding an antibody that immunospecifically binds to an
IL-9 polypeptide, said antibody having the amino acid sequence of
4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11, 4D4com-XF-9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 7F3 22D3,
7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5 or 7F3com-3D4, or an antigen-binding
fragment thereof. In a preferred embodiment, an isolated nucleic
acid molecule encodes an antibody that immunospecifically binds to
an IL-9 polypeptide, said antibody having the amino acid sequence
of 7F3com-2H2.
[0175] The invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule
encoding an antibody that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9
polypeptide, said antibody comprising (alternatively, consisting
of) a VH domain having an amino acid sequence of a VH domain of
4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11, 4D4com-XF-9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 7F3 22D3,
7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5, or 7F3com-3D4. In a preferred embodiment,
an isolated nucleic acid molecule encodes an antibody that
immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide, said antibody
comprising a VH domain having the amino acid sequence of the VH
domain of 7F3com-2H2.
[0176] The invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule
encoding an antibody that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9
polypeptide, said antibody comprising (alternatively, consisting
of) a VH CDR having an amino acid sequence of any of the VH CDRs
listed in Table 1, supra. In particular, the invention provides an
isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding an antibody that
immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide, said antibody
comprising one, two, three, four, five or more VH CDRs having an
amino acid sequence of any of the VH CDRs listed in Table 1, supra.
In one embodiment, an isolated nucleic acid molecule encodes an
antibody that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide, said
antibody comprising a VH CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of the
VH CDR1 listed in Table 1, supra. In another embodiment, an
isolated nucleic acid molecule encodes an antibody that
immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide, said antibody
comprising a VH CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of the VH CDR2
listed in Table 1, supra. In another embodiment, an isolated
nucleic acid molecule encodes an antibody that immunospecifically
binds to an IL-9 polypeptide, said antibody comprising a VH CDR3
having the amino acid sequence of the VH CDR3 listed in Table 1,
supra.
[0177] The invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule
encoding an antibody that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9
polypeptide, said antibody comprising (alternatively, consisting
of) a VL domain having an amino acid sequence of a VL domain of
4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11, 4D4com-XF-9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 7F3 22D3,
7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5, or 7F3com-3D4. In a preferred embodiment,
an isolated nucleic acid molecule encodes an antibody that
immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide, said antibody
comprising a VL domain having the amino acid sequence of the VL
domain of 7F3com-2H2.
[0178] The invention also provides an isolated nucleic acid
molecule encoding an antibody that immunospecifically binds to an
IL-9 polypeptide, said antibody comprising (alternatively,
consisting of) a VL CDR having an amino acid sequence of any of the
VL CDRs listed in Table 1, supra. In particular, the invention
provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding an antibody
that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide, said antibody
comprising one, two, three or more VL CDRs having an amino acid
sequence of any of the VL CDRs listed in Table 1, supra. In one
embodiment, an isolated nucleic acid molecule encodes an antibody
that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide, said antibody
comprising a VL CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of the VH CDR1
listed in Table 1, supra. In another embodiment, an isolated
nucleic acid molecule encodes an antibody that immunospecifically
binds to an IL-9 polypeptide, said antibody comprising a VL CDR2
having the amino acid sequence of the VL CDR2 listed in Table 1,
supra. In another embodiment, an isolated nucleic acid molecule
encodes an antibody that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9
polypeptide, said antibody comprising a VL CDR3 having the amino
acid sequence of the VL CDR3 listed in Table 1, supra.
[0179] The present invention provides nucleic acid molecules
encoding antibodies that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9
polypeptide, said antibodies comprising one or more VH CDRs and one
or more VL CDRs listed in Table 1, supra. In particular, the
invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding an
antibody that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide, said
antibody comprising (or alternatively, consisting of) a VH CDR1 and
a VL CDR1; a VH CDR1 and a VL CDR2; a VH CDR1 and a VL CDR3; a VH
CDR2 and a VL CDR1; VH CDR2 and VL CDR2; a VH CDR2 and a VL CDR3; a
VH CDR3 and a VH CDR1; a VH CDR3 and a VL CDR2; a VH CDR3 and a VL
CDR3; a VH1 CDR1, a VH CDR2 and a VL CDR1; a VH CDR1, a VH CDR2 and
a VL CDR2; a VH CDR1, a VH CDR2 and a VL CDR3; a VH CDR2, a VH CDR3
and a VL CDR1, a VH CDR2, a VH CDR3 and a VL CDR2; a VH CDR2, a VH
CDR2 and a VL CDR3; a VH CDR1, a VL CDR1 and a VL CDR2; a VH CDR1,
a VL CDR1 and a VL CDR3; a VH CDR2, a VL CDR1 and a VL CDR2; a VH
CDR2, a VL CDR1 and a VL CDR3; a VH CDR3, a VL CDR1 and a VL CDR2;
a VH CDR3, a VL CDR1 and a VL CDR3; a VH CDR1, a VH CDR2, a VH CDR3
and a VL CDR1; a VH CDR1, a VH CDR2, a VH CDR3 and a VL CDR2; a VH
CDR1, a VH CDR2, a VH CDR3 and a VL CDR3; a VH CDR1, a VH CDR2, a
VL CDR1 and a VL CDR2; a VH CDR1, a VH CDR2, a VL CDR1 and a VL
CDR3; a VH CDR1, a VH CDR3, a VL CDR1 and a VL CDR2; a VH CDR1, a
VH CDR3, a VL CDR1 and a VL CDR3; a VH CDR2, a VH CDR3, a VL CDR1
and a VL CDR2; a VH CDR2, a VH CDR3, a VL CDR1 and a VL CDR3; a VH
CDR2, a VH CDR3, a VL CDR2 and a VL CDR3; a VH CDR1, a VH CDR2, a
VH CDR3, a VL CDR1 and a VL CDR2; a VH CDR1, a VH CDR2, a VH CDR3,
a VL CDR1 and a VL CDR3; a VH CDR1, a VH CDR2, a VL CDR1, a VL
CDR2, and a VL CDR3; a VH CDR1, a VH CDR3, a VL CDR1, a VL CDR2,
and a VL CDR3; a VH CDR2, a VH CDR3, a VL CDR1, a VL CDR2, and a VL
CDR3; or any combination thereof of the VH CDRs and VL CDRs listed
in Table 1, supra.
[0180] The present invention provides antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide, said antibodies
comprising derivatives of the VH domains, VH CDRs, VL domains, or
VL CDRs described herein that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9
polypeptide. Standard techniques known to those of skill in the art
can be used to introduce mutations (e.g., deletions, additions,
and/or substitutions) in the nucleotide sequence encoding an
antibody of the invention, including, for example, site-directed
mutagenesis and PCR-mediated mutagenesis which results in amino
acid substitutions. Preferably, the derivatives include less than
25 amino acid substitutions, less than 20 amino acid substitutions,
less than 15 amino acid substitutions, less than 10 amino acid
substitutions, less than 5 amino acid substitutions, less than
4-amino acid substitutions, less than 3 amino acid substitutions,
or less than 2 amino acid substitutions relative to the original
molecule. In a preferred embodiment, the derivatives have
conservative amino acid substitutions are made at one or more
predicted non-essential amino acid residues (i.e., amino acid
residues which are not critical for the antibody to
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide). A "conservative
amino acid substitution" is one in which the amino acid residue is
replaced with an amino acid residue having a side chain with a
similar charge. Families of amino acid residues having side chains
with similar charges have been defined in the art. These families
include amino acids with basic side chains (e.g., lysine, arginine,
histidine), acidic side chains (e.g., aspartic acid, glutamic
acid), uncharged polar side chains (e.g., glycine, asparagine,
glutamine, serine, threonine, tyrosine, cysteine), nonpolar side
chains (e.g., alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, proline,
phenylalanine, methionine, tryptophan), beta-branched side chains
(e.g., threonine, valine, isoleucine) and aromatic side chains
(e.g., tyrosine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, histidine).
Alternatively, mutations can be introduced randomly along all or
part of the coding sequence, such as by saturation mutagenesis, and
the resultant mutants can be screened for biological activity to
identify mutants that retain activity. Following mutagenesis, the
encoded antibody can be expressed and the activity of the antibody
can be determined.
[0181] The present invention provides for antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide, said antibodies
comprising the amino acid sequence of 4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11,
4D4com-XF-9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 7F3 22D3, 7F3com-2H2,
7F3com-3H5, or 7F3com-3D4 with one or more amino acid residue
substitutions in the variable light (VL) domain and/or variable
heavy (VH) domain. The present invention also provides for
antibodies that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide,
said antibodies comprising the amino acid sequence of 4D4, 4D4H2-1
D11, 4D4com-XF-9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 7F3 22D3, 7F3com-2H2,
7F3com-3H5, or 7F3com-3D4 with one or more amino acid residue
substitutions in one or more VL CDRs and/or one or more VH CDRs.
The present invention also provides for antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide, said antibodies
comprising the amino acid sequence of 4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11,
4D4com-XF-9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 7F3 22D3, 7F3com-2H2,
7F3com-3H5, or 7F3com-3D4, or a VH and/or VL domain thereof with
one or more amino acid residue substitutions in one or more VH
frameworks and/or one or more VL frameworks. The antibody generated
by introducing substitutions in the VH domain, VH CDRs, VL domain,
VL CDRs and/or frameworks of 4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11, 4D4com-XF-9,
4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 7F3 22D3, 7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5, or
7F3com-3D4 can be tested in vitro and/or in vivo, for example, for
its ability to bind to an IL-9 polypeptide, or for its ability to
inhibit or reduce IL-9 mediated cell proliferation, or for its
ability to prevent, treat and/or ameliorate an autoimmune disorder,
an inflammatory disorder, a proliferative disorder or a respiratory
infection, or a symptom thereof.
[0182] In a specific embodiment, an antibody that
immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide comprises a
nucleotide sequence that hybridizes to the nucleotide sequence
encoding 4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11, 4D4com-XF-9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 7F3
22D3, 7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5 or 7F3com-3D4, or an antigen-binding
fragment thereof under stringent conditions, e.g., hybridization to
filter-bound DNA in 6.times. sodium chloride/sodium citrate (SSC)
at about 45.degree. C. followed by one or more washes in
0.2.times.SSC/0.1% SDS at about 50-65.degree. C., under highly
stringent conditions, e.g., hybridization to filter-bound nucleic
acid in 6.times.SSC at about 45.degree. C. followed by one or more
washes in 0.1.times.SSC/0.2% SDS at about 68.degree. C., or under
other stringent hybridization conditions which are known to those
of skill in the art (see, for example, Ausubel, F. M. et al., eds.,
1989, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Vol. 1, Green
Publishing Associates, Inc. and John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New
York at pages 6.3.1-6.3.6 and 2.10.3).
[0183] In another embodiment, an antibody that immunospecifically
binds to an IL-9 polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence of a
VH domain or an amino acid sequence a VL domain encoded by a
nucleotide sequence that hybridizes to the nucleotide sequence
encoding the VH or VL domains of 4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11, 4D4com-XF-9,
4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 7F3 22D3, 7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5 or
7F3com-3D4 under stringent conditions described herein or under
other stringent hybridization conditions which are known to those
of skill in the art. In another embodiment, an antibody that
immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide comprises an amino
acid sequence of a VH domain and an amino acid sequence of a VL
domain encoded by a nucleotide sequence that hybridizes to the
nucleotide sequence encoding the VH and VL domains of 4D4, 4D4H2-1
D11, 4D4com-XF-9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 7F3 22D3, 7F3com-2H2,
7F3com-3H5 or 7F3com-3D4 under stringent conditions described
herein or under other stringent hybridization conditions which are
known to those of skill in the art. In another embodiment, an
antibody that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide
comprises an amino acid sequence of a VH CDR or an amino acid
sequence of a VL CDR encoded by a nucleotide sequence that
hybridizes to the nucleotide sequence encoding any one of the VH
CDRs or VL CDRs listed in Table 1, supra under stringent conditions
described herein or under other stringent hybridization conditions
which are known to those of skill in the art. In another
embodiment, an antibody that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9
polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence of a VH CDR and an
amino acid sequence of a VL CDR encoded by nucleotide sequences
that hybridize to the nucleotide sequences encoding any one of the
VH CDRs listed in Table 1, supra, and any one of the VL CDRs listed
Table 1, supra, under stringent conditions described herein or
under other stringent hybridization conditions which are known to
those of skill in the art.
[0184] In another embodiment, the present invention provides an
antibody that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide, said
antibody comprising a VH domain and/or VL domain encoded by a
nucleotide sequence that hybridizes to the nucleotide sequence of
the VH domain and/or VL domain of 7F3com-2H2 (SEQ ID NO.: 43 and
SEQ ID NO.: 47, respectively) under stringent conditions. In
another embodiment, the present invention provides an antibody that
immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide, said antibody
comprising a VH CDR and/or VL CDR encoded by a nucleotide sequence
that hybridizes to the nucleotide sequence of the VH CDR and/or VL
CDR of 7F3com-2H2 (FIGS. 9A-B) under stringent conditions.
[0185] In a specific embodiment, an antibody that
immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide comprises an amino
acid sequence that is at least 35%, preferably at least 40%, at
least 45%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%,
at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least
90%, at least 95%, or at least 99% identical to the amino acid
sequence of 4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11, 4D4com-XF-9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10,
7F3 22D3, 7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5 or 7F3com-3D4, or an
antigen-binding fragment thereof. In another embodiment, an
antibody that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide
comprises an amino acid sequence of a VH domain that is at least
35%, preferably at least 40%, at least 45%, at least 50%, at least
55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at
least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least
99% identical to the VH domain of 4D4, 4D4H2-1 D 11, 4D4com-XF-9,
4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 7F3 22D3, 7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5 or
7F3com-3D4. In another embodiment, an antibody that
immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide comprises an amino
acid sequence of a VL domain that is at least 35%, preferably at
least 40%, at least 45%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%,
at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least
85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 99% identical to the
VL domain of 4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11, 4D4com-XF-9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10,
7F3 22D3, 7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5 or 7F3com-3D4.
[0186] In another embodiment, an antibody that immunospecifically
binds to an L-9 polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence of one
or more VL CDRs that are at least 35%, preferably at least 40%, at
least 45%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%,
at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least
90%, at least 95%, or at least 99% identical to any of the VL CDRs
listed in Table 1, supra. In another embodiment, an antibody that
immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide comprises an amino
acid sequence of one or more VH CDRs that are at least 35%,
preferably at least 40%, at least 45%, at least 50%, at least 55%,
at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least
80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 99%
identical to any of one of the VH CDRs listed in Table 1,
supra.
[0187] In another embodiment, the invention provides an antibody
that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide, said antibody
encoded by a nucleotide sequence that is at least 65%, preferably
at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least
90%, at least 95%, or at least 99% identical to the nucleotide
sequence encoding 7F3com-2H2. In another embodiment, the invention
provides an antibody that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9
polypeptide, said antibody comprising a VH domain and/or VL domain
encoded by a nucleotide sequence that is at least 65%, preferably
at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least
90%, at least 95%, or at least 99% identical to the nucleotide
sequence of the VH domain and/or VL domain of 7F3com-2H2 (SEQ ID
NO.: 43 and SEQ ID NO.: 47, respectively). In another embodiment,
the invention provides an antibody that immunospecifically binds to
an IL-9 polypeptide, said antibody comprising a VH CDR and/or a VL
CDR encoded by a nucleotide sequence that is at last 65%,
preferably at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%,
at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 99% identical to the
nucleotide sequence of the VH CDR and/or VL CDR of 7F3com-2H2
(FIGS. 9A-B).
[0188] The present invention encompasses antibodies that compete
with an antibody described herein for binding to an IL-9
polypeptide. In particular, the present invention encompasses
antibodies that compete with 4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11, 4D4com-XF-9,
4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 7F3 22D3, 7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5 or
7F3com-3D4 or an antigen-binding fragment thereof for binding to
the IL-9 polypeptide. In a specific embodiment, the invention
encompasses an antibody that reduces the binding of 4D4, 4D4H2-1 D
11, 4D4com-XF-9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 7F3 22D3, 7F3com-2H2,
7F3com-3H5 or 7F3com-3D4 to an IL-9 polypeptide by at least 25%, at
least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 45%, at least 50%,
at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least
75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95% or
more, 25% to 50%, 45 to 75%, or 75 to 99% relative to a control
such as PBS in the competition assay described herein or
competition assays well known in the art. In another embodiment,
the invention encompasses an antibody that reduces binding of 4D4,
4D4H2-1 D11, 4D4com-XF-9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 7F3 22D3,
7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5 or 7F3com-3D4 to an IL-9 polypeptide by at
least 25%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 45%,
at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least
70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at
least 95% or more, or 25% to 50%, 45 to 75%, or 75 to 99% relative
to a control such as PBS in an ELISA competition assay. In a
preferred embodiment, an ELISA competition assay may be performed
in the following manner: recombinant IL-9 is prepared in PBS at a
concentration of 10 .mu.g/ml. 100 .mu.l of this solution is added
to each well of an ELISA 98-well microtiter plate and incubated
overnight at 4-8.degree. C. The ELISA plate is washed with PBS
supplemented with 0.1% Tween to remove excess recombinant IL-9.
Non-specific protein-protein interactions are blocked by adding 100
.mu.l of bovine serum albumin (BSA) prepared in PBS to a final
concentration of 1%. After one hour at room temperature, the ELISA
plate is washed. Unlabeled competing antibodies are prepared in
blocking solution at concentrations ranging from 1 .mu.g/ml to 0.01
.mu.g/ml. Control wells contain either blocking solution only or
control antibodies at concentrations ranging from 1 .mu.g/ml to
0.01 .mu.g/ml. Test antibody (e.g., 7F3com-2H2) labeled with
horseradish peroxidase is added to competing antibody dilutions at
a fixed final concentration of 1 .mu.g/ml. 100 .mu.l of test and
competing antibody mixtures are added to the ELISA wells in
triplicate and the plate is incubated for 1 hour at room
temperature. Residual unbound antibody is washed away. Bound test
antibody is detected by adding 100 .mu.l of horseradish peroxidase
substrate to each well. The plate is incubated for 30 min. at room
temperature, and absorbance is read using an automated plate
reader. The average of triplicate wells is calculated. Antibodies
which compete well with the test antibody reduce the measured
absorbance compared with control wells. In a preferred embodiment,
the invention encompasses an antibody that reduces the binding of
7F3com-2H2 to an IL-9 polypeptide by at least 25%, at least 30%, at
least 35%, at least 40%, at least 45%, at least 50%, at least 55%,
at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least
80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95% or more, or 25% to
50%, 45 to 75%, or 75 to 99% relative to a control such as PBS in
an ELISA competition assay.
[0189] In another embodiment, the invention encompasses an antibody
that reduces the binding of an antibody comprising (alternatively,
consisting of) an antigen-binding fragment (e.g., a VH domain, a VH
CDR, a VL domain or a VL CDR) of 4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11, 4D4com-XF-9,
4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 7F3 22D3, 7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5 or
7F3com-3D4 to an IL-9 polypeptide by at least 25%, preferably at
least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 45%, at least 50%,
at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least
75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95% or
more, or 25% to 50%, 45 to 75%, or 75 to 99% relative to a control
such as PBS in a competition assay described herein or well-known
to one of skill in the art. In another embodiment, the invention
encompasses an antibody that reduces the binding of an antibody
comprising (alternatively, consisting of) an antigen-binding
fragment (e.g., a VH domain, VL domain, a VH CDR, or a VL CDR) of
4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11, 4D4com-XF-9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 7F3 22D3,
7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5 or 7F3com-3D4 to an IL-9 polypeptide by at
least 25%, preferably at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at
least 45%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%,
at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least
90%, at least 95% or more, or 25% to 50%, 45 to 75%, or 75 to 99%
relative to a control such as PBS in an ELISA competition assay. In
a preferred embodiment, the invention encompasses an antibody that
reduces the binding of an antibody comprising (alternatively,
consisting of) an antigen-binding fragment of 7F3com-2H2 to an IL-9
polypeptide by at least 25%, preferably at least 30%, at least 35%,
at least 40%, at least 45%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least
60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at
least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95% or more, or 25% to 50%, 45 to
75%, or 75 to 99% relative to a control such as PBS in an ELISA
competition assay.
[0190] The present invention encompasses polypeptides or proteins
comprising (alternatively, consisting of) VH domains that compete
with the VH domain of 4D4, 4D4 H2-1 D11, 4D4com-XF-9, 4D4com-2F9,
7F3, 71A10, 7F3 22D3, 7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5 or 7F3com-3D4 for
binding to an IL-9 polypeptide. The present invention also
encompasses polypeptides or proteins comprising (alternatively,
consisting of) VL domains that compete with a VL domain of 4D4,
4D4H2-1 D11, 4D4com-XF-9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 7F3 22D3,
7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-31H5 or 7F3com-3D4 for binding to an IL-9
polypeptide.
[0191] The present invention encompasses polypeptides or proteins
comprising (alternatively, consisting of) VH CDRs that compete with
a VH CDR listed in Table 1, supra, for binding to an IL-9
polypeptide. The present invention also encompasses polypeptides or
proteins comprising (alternatively, consisting of) VL CDRs that
compete with a VL CDR listed in Table 1, supra for binding to an
IL-9 polypeptide.
[0192] The antibodies that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9
polypeptide include derivatives that are modified, i.e., by the
covalent attachment of any type of molecule to the antibody such
that covalent attachment. For example, but not by way of
limitation, the antibody derivatives include antibodies that have
been modified, e.g., by glycosylation, acetylation, pegylation,
phosphorylation, amidation, derivatization by known
protecting/blocking groups, proteolytic cleavage, linkage to a
cellular ligand or other protein, etc. Any of numerous chemical
modifications may be carried out by known techniques, including,
but not limited to, specific chemical cleavage, acetylation,
formylation, metabolic synthesis of tunicamycin, etc. Additionally,
the derivative may contain one or more non-classical amino
acids.
[0193] The present invention also provides antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide, said antibodies
comprising a framework region known to those of skill in the art
(e.g., a human or non-human framework). The framework regions may
be naturally occurring or consensus framework regions. Preferably,
the fragment region of an antibody of the invention is human (see,
e.g., Chothia et al., 1998, J. Mol. Biol. 278:457-479 for a listing
of human framework regions, which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety).
[0194] The present invention encompasses antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide, said antibodies
comprising the amino acid sequence of 4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11,
4D4com-XF-9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 7F3 22D3, 7F3com-2H2,
7F3com-3H5 or 7F3com-3D4 with mutations (e.g., one or more amino
acid substitutions) in the framework regions. In certain
embodiments, antibodies that immunospecifically bind to an L-9
polypeptide comprise the amino acid sequence of 4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11,
4D4com-XF-9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 7F3 22D3, 7F3com-2H2,
7F3com-3H5 or 7F3com-3D4 with one or more amino acid residue
substitutions in the framework regions of the VH and/or VL domains.
Preferably, the amino acid substitutions in the framework region
improve binding of the antibody to an IL-9 polypeptide.
[0195] In a specific embodiment, antibodies that immunospecifically
bind to an IL-9 polypeptide comprise the amino acid sequence of one
or more of the CDRs of 4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11, 4D4com-XF-9, 4D4com-2F9,
7F3, 71A10, 7F3 22D3, 7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5 or 7F3com-3D4, a VH
framework region 1 having the amino acid sequence of
QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKAS (SEQ ID NO.: 33) or QVQLVQSGAEV
KKPGSSVKVSCKAS (SEQ ID NO.: 37), a VH framework region 2 having the
amino acid sequence of WVRQAPGQGLEWMG (SEQ ID NO.: 34), a VH
framework region 3 region having the amino acid sequence of
RVTMTRDTSTSTVYMELSSLRSEDTAVYYCAR (SEQ ID NO.: 35) or
RVTITADESTSTAYMELSSLRSEDTAVYYCAR (SEQ ID NO.: 38), and a VH
framework region 4 having the amino acid sequence of WGQGTLVTVSS
(SEQ ID NO.: 36). In another embodiment, antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide comprise the amino
acid sequence of one or more of the CDRs of 4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11,
4D4com-XF-9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 7F3 22D3, 7F3com-2H2,
7F3com-3H5 or 7F3com-3D4, a VL framework region 1 having the amino
acid sequence of DIQMTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITC (SEQ ID NO.: 39), a VL
framework region 2 having the amino acid sequence of
WYQQKPGKAPKLLIY (SEQ ID NO.: 40), a VL framework region 3 region
having the amino acid sequence of GVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLQ PEDFATYYC
(SEQ ID NO.: 41), and a VL framework region 4 region having the
amino acid sequence of FGGGTKVEIK (SEQ ID NO.: 42). In yet another
embodiment, antibodies that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9
polypeptide comprise the amino acid sequence of one or more of the
CDRs of 4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11, 4D4com-XF-9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 7F3
22D3, 7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5 or 7F3com-3D4, a VH framework region 1
having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 33 or SEQ ID NO.: 37,
a VH framework region 2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID
NO.: 34, a VH framework region 3 having the amino acid sequence of
SEQ ID NO.: 35 or SEQ ID NO.: 38, a VH framework region 4 having
the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 36, a VL framework region 1
having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 39, a VL framework
region 2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 40, a VL
framework region 3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.:
41, and a VL framework region 4 having the amino acid sequence of
SEQ ID NO.: 42.
[0196] The present invention also encompasses antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide, said antibodies
comprising the amino acid sequence of 4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11,
4D4com-XF-9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 7F3 22D3, 7F3com-2H2,
7F3com-3H5 or 7F3com-3D4 with mutations (e.g., one or more amino
acid residue substitutions) in the variable and framework regions.
Preferably, the amino acid substitutions in the variable and
framework regions improve binding of the antibody to an IL-9
polypeptide.
[0197] The present invention also provides antibodies of the
invention that comprise constant regions known to those of skill in
the art. Preferably, the constant regions of an antibody of the
invention or fragment thereof are human.
[0198] The invention encompasses antibodies that immunospecifically
bind to an IL-9 polypeptide expressed by an immune cell such as an
activated T cell or a mast cell.
[0199] The invention also encompasses antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide and modulate an
activity or function of T cells, B cells, mast cells, neutrophils,
and/or eosinophils. The invention further encompasses antibodies
that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide and inhibit or
reduce the infiltration of inflammatory cells into a tissue, joint,
or organ of a subject and/or inhibit or reduce epithelial cell
hyperplasia.
[0200] The invention encompasses antibodies that immunospecifically
bind to an IL-9 polypeptide found in the milieu, i.e., not bound to
an IL-9R or a subunit thereof. The invention also encompasses
antibodies that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide
bound to a soluble IL-9Ra subunit. The invention further
encompasses antibodies that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9
polypeptide bound to a cellular membrane-bound IL-9R or a subunit
thereof.
[0201] In one embodiment, an antibody that immunospecifically binds
to an IL-9 polypeptide inhibit and/or reduce the interaction
between the IL-9 polypeptide and the IL-9 receptor ("IL-9R") or a
subunit thereof by approximately 25%, preferably approximately 30%,
approximately 35%, approximately 45%, approximately 50%,
approximately 55%, approximately 60%, approximately 65%,
approximately 70%, approximately 75%, approximately 80%,
approximately 85%, approximately 90%, approximately 95%, or
approximately 98% relative to a control such as PBS or a control
IgG antibody in an in vivo and/or in vitro assay described herein
or well-known to one of skill in the art (e.g., an immunoassay such
as an ELISA). In an alternative embodiment, an antibody that
immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide does not inhibit
the interaction between an IL-9 polypeptide and the IL-9R or a
subunit thereof relative to a control such as PBS or a control IgG
antibody in an in vivo and/or in vitro assay described herein or
well-known to one of skill in the art (e.g., an immunoassay such as
an ELISA). In another embodiment, an antibody that
immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide inhibits the
interaction between the IL-9 polypeptide and the IL-9R by less than
20%, less than 15%, less than 10%, or less than 5% relative to a
control such as PBS or a control IgG antibody using, for example,
an immunoassay such as an ELISA.
[0202] In one embodiment, antibodies that immunospecifically bind
to an IL-9 polypeptide inhibit or reduce the interaction between
the IL-9 polypeptide and the IL-9 receptor ("IL-9R") or one or more
subunits thereof by at least 25%, preferably, at least 30%, at
least 35%, at least 45%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%,
at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least
85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 98% relative to a
control such as phosphate buffered saline ("PBS") or a control IgG
antibody in an in vivo and/or in vitro assay described herein or
well-known to one of skill in the art (e.g., a cell proliferation
assay using an IL-9 dependent cell line such as an IL-9 dependent
mouse T cell line expressing the human IL-9R). In an alternative
embodiment, antibodies that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9
polypeptide do not inhibit the interaction between an IL-9
polypeptide and the IL-9R or one or more subunits thereof relative
to a control such as PBS or a control IgG antibody in an in vivo
and/or in vitro assay described herein or well-known to one of
skill in the art (e.g., a cell proliferation assay using an IL-9
dependent cell line such as an IL-9 dependent mouse T cell line
expressing the human IL-9R). In another embodiment, antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide inhibit the
interaction between the IL-9 polypeptide and the IL-9R or one or
more subunits thereof by less than 20%, less than 15%, less than
10%, or less than 5% relative to a control such as PBS or a control
IgG antibody in vivo and/or in vitro assay described herein or
well-known to one of skill in the art, (e.g., a cell proliferation
assay using an IL-9 dependent cell line such as an IL-9 dependent
mouse T cell line expressing the human IL-9R).
[0203] The present invention encompasses antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide and do not induce or
reduce cytokine expression and/or release relative to a control
such as PBS or a control IgG antibody in an in vivo and/or in vitro
assay described herein or well-known to one of skill in the art. In
one embodiment, antibodies that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9
polypeptide and do not induce an increase in the concentration
cytokines such as, e.g., IFN-.gamma., IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7,
IL-10, IL-12, IL-15, and IL-23 in the serum of a subject
administered such an antibody relative to the concentration of such
cytokines in the serum of a subject administered a control such as
PBS or a control IgG antibody. In an alternative embodiment,
antibodies that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide
induce cytokine expression and/or release relative to a control
such as PBS or a control IgG antibody in an in vitro and/or in vivo
assay described herein or well-known to one of skill in the art. In
a specific embodiment, an antibody that immunospecifically binds to
an IL-9 polypeptide induces an increase in the concentration of
cytokines such as, e.g., IFN-.gamma., IL-2, IL-12, and IL-15 in the
serum of a subject administered such an antibody relative to the
concentration of such cytokines in the serum of a subject
administered a control such as PBS or a control IgG antibody. In
another specific embodiment, an antibody that immunospecifically
binds to an IL-9 polypeptide induces an increase in the
concentration of cytokines produced by Th1 cells, such as
IFN-.gamma. and IL-12, in a subject administered such an antibody
relative to the concentration of such cytokines in the serum of a
subject administered a control such as PBS or a control IgG
antibody. In another specific embodiment, an antibody that
immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide induces a decrease
in the concentration of cytokines such as, e.g., IL-4, IL-5, IL-10,
IL-13, and IL-23 in the serum of a subject administered such an
antibody relative to the concentration of such cytokines in the
serum of a subject administered a control such as PBS or a control
IgG antibody. In another specific embodiment, an antibody that
immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide induces a decrease
in the concentration of cytokines produced by mast cells, such as
TNF-.alpha., IL-4, and IL-13, in the serum of a subject
administered such an antibody relative to the concentration of such
cytokines in the serum of a subject administered a control such as
PBS or a control IgG antibody. In yet another specific embodiment,
an antibody that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide
induces a decrease in the concentration of cytokines produced by
Th2 cells, such as IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and IL-10, in the serum of a
subject administered such an antibody relative to the concentration
of such cytokines in the serum of a subject administered a control
such as PBS or a control IgG antibody. Serum concentrations of a
cytokine can be measured by any technique well-known to one of
skill in the art such as, e.g., ELISA or Western blot assay.
[0204] In one embodiment, antibodies that immunospecifically bind
to an IL-9 polypeptide reduce and/or inhibit proliferation of
inflammatory cells (e.g., mast cells, T cells, B cells,
macrophages, neutrophils, basophils, and/or eosinophils) by at
least 25%, preferably at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at
least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%,
at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least
95%, or at least 98% relative to a control such as PBS or a control
IgG antibody in an in vivo and/or in vitro assay described herein
or well-known to one of skill in the art (e.g., a trypan blue assay
or .sup.3H-thymidine assay). In another embodiment, antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide reduce and/or
inhibit infiltration of inflammatory cells into the upper and/or
lower respiratory tracts by at least at least 25%, preferably at
least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 55%,
at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least
80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 98%
relative to a control such as PBS or a control IgG antibody in an
in vivo and/or in vitro assay described herein or well-known to one
of skill in the art. In yet another embodiment, antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide reduce and/or
inhibit infiltration of inflammatory cells into the upper and/or
respiratory tracts by at least 25%, preferably at least 30%, at
least 35%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%,
at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least
85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 98% relative to a
control such as PBS or a control IgG antibody in an in vivo and/or
in vitro assay described herein or well known in the art and reduce
and/or inhibit proliferation of inflammatory cells by at least by
at least 25%, preferably at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%,
at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least
70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at
least 95%, or at least 98% relative to a control such as PBS or a
control IgG antibody in an in vivo and/or in vitro assay described
herein or well-known to one of skill in the art (e.g., a trypan
blue assay or .sup.3H-thymidine assay).
[0205] In certain embodiments, antibodies that immunospecifically
bind to an IL-9 polypeptide reduce mast cell degranulation by at
least 25%, preferably at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at
least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%,
at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least
95%, or at least 98% relative to a control such as PBS or a control
IgG antibody in an in vivo and/or in vitro assay described herein
or well-known to one of skill in the art (see, e.g., Windmiller and
Backer, 2003, J. Biol. Chem. 278:11874-78 for examples of mast cell
degranulation assays). In other embodiments, antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide inhibit and/or
reduce mast cell activation by at least 25%, preferably at least
30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at
least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%,
at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 98% relative
to a control such as PBS or a control IgG antibody in an in vivo
and/or in vitro assay described herein or well-known to one of
skill in the art. In other embodiments, antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide inhibit and/or
reduce the expression and/or release of products of mast cell
activation and/or degranulation by at least 25%, preferably at
least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 55%,
at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least
80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 98%
relative to a control such as PBS or a control IgG antibody in an
in vivo and/or in vitro assay described or well-known to one of
skill in the art.
[0206] In a specific embodiment, antibodies that immunospecifically
bind to an IL-9 polypeptide inhibit and/or reduce the expression,
activity, serum concentration, and/or release of mast cell
proteases, such as chymase and tryptase, by at least 25%,
preferably at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 50%,
at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least
75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at
least 98% relative to a control such as PBS or a control IgG
antibody in an in vivo and/or in vitro assay described herein or
well known to one of skill in the art. In a preferred embodiment,
mast cell activity may be measured by culturing primary mast cells
or a mast cell line in vitro in the presence of 10 ng/ml of IL-9.
Baseline levels of protease (e.g., chymase and tryptase) and
leukotriene are determined in the supernatant by commercially
available ELISA kits. The ability of antibodies to modulate
protease or leukotriene levels is assessed by adding an
IL-9-reactive antibody or control antibody directly to cell
cultures at a concentration of 1 .mu.g/ml. Protease and leukotriene
levels are assessed at 24 and 36 hour timepoints. In another
specific embodiment, antibodies that immunospecifically bind to an
IL-9 polypeptide inhibit and/or reduce the expression, activity,
serum concentration, and/or release of mast cell leukotrienes, such
as C4, D4, and E4 by at least 25%, preferably at least 30%, at
least 35%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%,
at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least
85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 98% relative to a
control such as PBS or a control IgG antibody in an in vivo and/or
in vitro assay described herein or well-known to one of skill in
the art. In another specific embodiment, antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide inhibit and/or
reduce the expression, activity, serum concentration, and/or
release of mast cell cytokines, such as TNF-.alpha., IL-4, and
IL-13 by at least 25%, preferably at least 30%, at least 35%, at
least 40%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%,
at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least
90%, at least 95%, or at least 98% relative to a control such as
PBS or a control IgG antibody in an in vivo and/or in vitro assay
described herein or well-known to one of skill in the art (e.g., an
ELISA or Western blot assay).
[0207] In other embodiments, antibodies that immunospecifically
bind to an IL-9 polypeptide inhibit and/or reduce mast cell
infiltration by at least 25%, preferably at least 30%, at least
35%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at
least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%,
at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 98% relative to a control
such as PBS or a control IgG antibody in an in vivo and/or in vitro
assay described herein or well-known in the art. In other
embodiments, antibodies that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9
polypeptide inhibit and/or reduce mast cell proliferation by at
least 25%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 50%,
at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least
75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at
least 98% relative to a control such as PBS or a control IgG
antibody in an in vivo and/or in vitro assay described herein or
well-known to one of skill in the art (e.g., a trypan blue assay,
FACS or .sup.3H thymidine assay). In yet other embodiments,
antibodies that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide
inhibit and/or reduce mast cell infiltration by at least 25%, at
least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 55%,
at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least
80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 98%
relative to a control such as PBS or a control IgG antibody in an
in vitro and/or in vivo assay described herein or well-known in the
art and inhibit and/or reduce mast cell proliferation at least 25%,
at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least
55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at
least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least
98% relative to a control such as PBS or a control IgG antibody in
an in vivo and/or in vitro assay described herein or well-known to
one of skill in the art (e.g., a trypan blue assay, FACS or .sup.3H
thymidine assay). In a preferred embodiment, reductions in mast
cell infiltration may be measured in vivo by sensitizing animals to
ovalbumin. Briefly, 100 .mu.g of ovalbumin complexed with aluminum
adjuvant is administered subcutaneously on days 1 and 21.
Throughout the three-week sensitization procedure, animals are
administered an IL-9 reactive antibody or a control antibody at a
10 mg/kg dose every 5 to 7 days. On days 29, 30 and 31, animals are
exposed to ovalbumin without adjuvant by aerosol delivery, or
alternatively, by intrasal instillation of 100 .mu.l of a 1
.mu.g/ml solution prepared in PBS. On day 31, 6 hours after the
last ovalbumin challenge, animals are euthanized and lung tissue is
fixed by perfusion with formalin. Mast cell infiltration is
assessed histologically by counting mast cells per field in lung
epithelial tissue sections. Using this experimental design, mast
cell precursors may be differentiated from mast cells in lung
epithelium by assessing (for example) whether metachromatic
granules are present, and/or by immunohistochemistry using
differentiation-dependent cell surface markers (e.g.,
FcepsilonRI).
[0208] In other embodiments, antibodies that immunospecifically
bind to an IL-9 polypeptide inhibit and/or reduce infiltration of
mast cell precursors in the upper and/or lower respiratory tracts
by at least 25%, preferably at least 30%, at least 35%, at least
40%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at
least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%,
at least 95%, or at least 98% relative to a control such as PBS or
a control IgG antibody in an in vivo and/or in vitro assay
described herein or well-known in the art. In other embodiments,
antibodies that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide
inhibit and/or reduce proliferation of mast cell precursors by at
least 25%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 50%,
at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least
75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at
least 98% relative to a control such as PBS or a control IgG
antibody in an in vivo and/or in vitro assay described herein or
well-known to one of skill in the art (e.g., a trypan blue assay,
FACS or .sup.3H thymidine assay). In yet other embodiments,
antibodies that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide
inhibit and/or reduce infiltration of mast cell precursors into the
upper and/or lower respiratory tracts by at least 25%, at least
30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at
least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%,
at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 98% relative
to a control such as PBS or a control IgG antibody in an in vivo
and/or in vitro assay described herein or well known in the art and
inhibit and/or reduce proliferation of mast cell precursors at
least 25%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 50%,
at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least
75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at
least 98% relative to a control such as PBS or a control IgG
antibody in an in vivo and/or in vitro assay described herein or
well-known to one of skill in the art (e.g., a trypan blue assay,
FACS or .sup.3H thymidine assay). In a preferred embodiment, mast
cell precursor infiltration may be measured in vivo by the mast
cell infiltration assay described supra.
[0209] In certain embodiments, antibodies that immunospecifically
bind to an IL-9 polypeptide mediate depletion of peripheral blood
T-cells by inducing an increase in apoptosis of T-cells,
particularly Th2 cells. In a preferred embodiment, Th2 T lymphocyte
depletion may be measured in vivo by sensitizing animals with
ovalbumin. Briefly, 100 .mu.g of ovalbumin complexed with aluminum
adjuvant is administered subcutaneously on days 1 and 21.
Throughout the three-week sensitization procedure, animals are
administered an IL-9 reactive antibody or a control antibody at a
10 mg/kg dose every 5 to 7 days. On day 28, animals receive a 100
.mu.g boost of ovalbumin protein without adjuvant intravenously.
Two days following the intravenous boost, the animals are
euthanized. Spleen cells are recovered and analyzed by flow
cytometry. Splenic Th2 T lymphocytes, identifiable by cytoplasmic
staining for IL-4, should be reduced in animals receiving an IL-9
neutralizing antibody compared with the control antibody
recipients. In another embodiment, antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide mediate inhibit
and/or reduce Th1 and Th2 differentiation by at least 25%,
preferably at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 50%,
at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least
75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at
least 98% relative to a control such as PBS or a control IgG
antibody in an in vivo and/or in vitro assay described herein or
well-known to one of skill in the art (e.g., FACS). In certain
embodiments, antibodies that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9
polypeptide inhibit and/or reduce T cell infiltration, particularly
Th2 cell infiltration, in the upper and/or lower respiratory tracts
by at least 25%, preferably at least 30%, at least 35%, at least
40%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at
least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%,
at least 95%, or at least 98% relative to a control such as PBS or
a control IgG antibody in an in vivo and/or in vitro assay
well-known to one of skill in the art. In other embodiments,
antibodies that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide
inhibits and/or reduce T cell proliferation by at least 25%, at
least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 55%,
at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least
80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 98%
relative to a control such as PBS or a control IgG antibody in an
in vivo and/or in vitro assay described herein or well-known to one
of skill in the art (e.g., a trypan blue assay, FACS or 3H
thymidine assay). In yet other embodiments, antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide inhibit and/or
reduce T cell infiltration, particularly Th2 cell infiltration, in
the upper and/or lower respiratory tracts by at least 25%, at least
30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at
least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%,
at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 98%, inhibit
and/or reduce T cell proliferation, particularly Th2 cell
proliferation, by at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at
least 40%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%,
at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least
90%, at least 95%, or at least 98%, and/or increases apoptosis of T
cells relative to a control such as PBS or a control IgG antibody
in an in vivo and/or in vitro assay described herein or well-known
to one of skill in the art.
[0210] In certain embodiments, antibodies that immunospecifically
bind to an IL-9 polypeptide reduce macrophage infiltration by at
least 25%, preferably at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at
least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%,
at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least
95%, or at least 98% relative to a control such as PBS or a control
IgG antibody in an in vivo and/or in vitro assay well-known to one
of skill in the art. In a preferred embodiment, reductions in
macrophage infiltration may be measured in vivo by sensitizing
animals to ovalbumin. Briefly, 100 .mu.g of ovalbumin complexed
with aluminum adjuvant is administered subcutaneously on days 1 and
21. Throughout the three-week sensitization procedure, animals are
administered IL-9 reactive antibody or control antibody at 10 mg/kg
dose every 5 to 7 days. On days 29, 30 and 31, animals are exposed
to ovalbumin without adjuvant by aerosol delivery, or
alternatively, by intrasal instillation of 100 .mu.l of a 1
.mu.g/ml solution prepared in PBS. On day 31, 6 hours after the
last ovalbumin challenge, animals are euthanized and lung tissue is
fixed by perfusion with formalin. Macrophage infiltration is
assessed by immunocytochemistry by counting CD14 positive cells per
field in lung tissue sections. In other embodiments, antibodies
that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide inhibit and/or
reduce macrophage proliferation by at least 25%, preferably, at
least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 55%,
at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least
80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 98%
relative to a control such as PBS or a control IgG antibody in an
in vivo and/or in vitro assay described herein or well-known to one
of skill in the art (e.g., a trypan blue assay, FACS or .sup.3H
thymidine assay). In yet other embodiments, antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide inhibit and/or
reduce macrophage infiltration by at least 25%, at least 30%, at
least 35%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%,
at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least
85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 98% relative to a
control such as PBS or a control IgG antibody in an in vivo and/or
in vitro assay described herein or well-known to one of skill in
the art and inhibit and/or reduce macrophage proliferation at least
25%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at
least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%,
at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least
98% relative to a control such as PBS or a control IgG antibody in
an in vivo and/or in vitro assay described herein or well known to
one of skill in the art.
[0211] In certain embodiments, antibodies that immunospecifically
bind to an IL-9 polypeptide reduce B cell infiltration by at least
25%, preferably at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least
50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at
least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%,
or at least 98% relative to a control such as PBS or a control IgG
antibody in an in vivo and/or in vitro assay described herein or
well known to one of skill in the art. In a preferred embodiment,
reductions in B lymphocyte infiltration may be measured in vivo by
systemically sensitizing animals to ovalbumin. Briefly, 100 .mu.g
of ovalbumin complexed with aluminum adjuvant is administered
subcutaneously on days 1 and 21. Throughout the three-week
sensitization procedure, animals are administered an IL-9 reactive
antibody or a control antibody at a 10 mg/kg dose every 5 to 7
days. On days 29, 30 and 31, animals are exposed to ovalbumin
without adjuvant by aerosol delivery, or alternatively, by intrasal
instillation of 100 .mu.l of a 1 .mu.g/ml solution prepared in PBS.
On day 31, 6 hours after the last ovalbumin challenge, animals are
euthanized and lung tissue is fixed by perfusion with formalin. B
lymphocyte infiltration is assessed by immunocytochemistry by
counting CD19 positive cells per field in lung tissue sections. In
other embodiments, antibodies that immunospecifically bind to an
IL-9 polypeptide inhibit and/or reduce B cell proliferation by at
least 25%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 50%,
at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least
75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at
least 98% relative to a control such as PBS or a control IgG
antibody in an in vivo and/or in vitro assay described herein or
well-known to one of skill in the art (e.g., a trypan blue assay,
FACS or .sup.3H thymidine assay). In yet other embodiments,
antibodies that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide
inhibit and/or reduce B cell infiltration by at least 25%, at least
30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at
least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%,
at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 98% relative
to a control such as PBS or a control IgG antibody in an in vivo
and/or in vitro assay described herein or well-known to one of
skill in the art and inhibits and/or reduces B cell proliferation
at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least
50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at
least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%,
or at least 98% relative to a control such as PBS or a control IgG
antibody in an in vivo and/or in vitro assay described herein or
well-known to one of skill in the art.
[0212] In certain embodiments, antibodies that immunospecifically
bind to an IL-9 polypeptide reduce eosinophil infiltration in the
upper and/or lower respiratory tracts by at least 25%, preferably
at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least
55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at
least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least
98% relative to a control such as PBS or a control IgG antibody in
an in vivo and/or in vitro assay described herein or well known to
one of skill in the art (see, e.g., Li et al., 2000, Am. J. Respir.
Cell Mol. Biol. 25:644-51). In other embodiments, antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide inhibit and/or
reduce eosinophil proliferation, by at least 25%, at least 30%, at
least 35%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%,
at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least
85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 98% relative to a
control such as PBS or a control IgG antibody in an in vivo and/or
in vitro assay described herein (see Section 5.6) or well known to
one of skill in the art (e.g., a trypan blue assay, FACS or .sup.3H
thymidine assay). In yet other embodiments, antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an L-9 polypeptide inhibit and/or reduce
eosinophil infiltration by at least 25%, at least 30%, at least
35%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at
least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%,
at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 98% relative to a control
such as PBS or a control IgG antibody in an in vivo and/or in vitro
assay described herein or well-known to one of skill in the art and
inhibits and/or reduces eosinophil proliferation at least 25%, at
least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 55%,
at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least
80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 98%
relative to a control such as PBS or a control IgG antibody in an
in vivo and/or in vitro assay described herein or well known to one
of skill in the art.
[0213] In other embodiments, antibodies that immunospecifically
bind to an IL-9 polypeptide reduce neutrophil infiltration by at
least 25%, preferably at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at
least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%,
at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least
95%, or at least 98% relative to a control such as PBS or a control
IgG antibody in an in vivo and/or in vitro assay described herein
or well known to one of skill in the art. In other embodiments,
antibodies that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide
inhibit and/or reduce neutrophil proliferation, by at least 25%, at
least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 55%,
at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least
80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 98%
relative to a control such as PBS or a control IgG antibody in an
in vivo and/or in vitro assays described herein or well-known to
one of skill in the art (e.g., a trypan blue assay, FACS or .sup.3H
thymidine assay). In yet other embodiments, antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide inhibit and/or
reduce neutrophil infiltration by at least 25%, at least 30%, at
least 35%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%,
at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least
85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 98% relative to a
control such as PBS or a control IgG antibody in an in vivo and/or
in vitro assay described herein or well-known to one of skill in
the art and inhibits and/or reduces neutrophil proliferation at
least 25%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 50%,
at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least
75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at
least 98% relative to a control such as PBS or a control IgG
antibody in an in vivo and/or in vitro assay described herein or
well-known to one of skill in the art.
[0214] In a preferred embodiment, an antibody that
immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide neutralizes or
inhibits IL-9 mediated biological effects including, but not
limited to inflammatory cell recruitment, epithelia hyperplasia,
mucin production of epithelial cells, and mast cell activation,
degranulation, proliferation, and/or infiltration.
[0215] In a specific embodiment, an antibody that
immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide acts
synergistically with a proteinaceous agent (e.g., a peptide,
polypeptide, or protein (including an antibody)) and/or a
non-proteinaceous agent that antagonizes the expression, function,
and/or activity of IgE to reduce or inhibit the activation,
degranulation, proliferation, and/or infiltration of mast cells by
at least 25%, preferably, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%,
at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least
70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at
least 95%, or at least 98% relative to a control such as PBS or a
control IgG antibody in an in vivo and/or in vitro assays described
herein or well known to one of skill in the art.
[0216] In another embodiment, an antibody that immunospecifically
binds to an IL-9 polypeptide acts synergistically with a
proteinaceous agent (e.g., a peptide, polypeptide, protein
(including an antibody)) and/or a non-proteinaceous agent that
antagonizes the expression, function, and/or activity of a mast
cell protease to reduce or inhibit the activation, degranulation,
proliferation, and/or infiltration of mast cells by at least 25%,
preferably at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 45%,
at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least
70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at
least 95%, or at least 98% relative to a control such as PBS or a
control IgG antibody in an in vivo and/or in vitro assay described
herein or well-known to one of skill in the art.
[0217] In another embodiment, an antibody that immunospecifically
binds to an IL-9 polypeptide acts synergistically with a
proteinaceous agent (e.g., a peptide, polypeptide, and protein
(including an antibody)) or a non-proteinaceous agent that
antagonizes the expression, function, and/or activity of a stem
cell factor to reduce or inhibit to reduce or inhibit the
activation, degranulation, proliferation, and/or infiltration of
mast cells by at least 25%, preferably at least 30%, at least 35%,
at least 40%, at least 45%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least
60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at
least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 98% relative to
a control such as PBS or a control IgG antibody in an in vivo
and/or in vitro assay described herein or well-known to one of
skill in the art. In a preferred embodiment, primary mast cells or
a mast cell line is cultured in vitro in the presence of 1 ng/ml
IL-9 plus 1 ng/ml stem cell factor. Baseline levels of protease
(e.g., chymase and tryptase) and leukotriene are determined in the
supernatant by commercially available ELISA kits. The ability of
antibodies to modulate protease or leukotriene levels is assessed
by adding IL-9 reactive antibody or control antibody directly to
cell cultures at a concentration of 1 .mu.g/ml. Protease and
leukotriene levels are assessed at 24 and 36 hour time points.
[0218] The antibodies of the present invention that
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide may be monospecific,
bispecific, trispecific or of greater multispecificity.
Multispecific antibodies may be specific for different epitopes of
an IL-9 polypeptide or may be specific for both an IL-9 polypeptide
as well as for a heterologous epitope, such as a heterologous
polypeptide or solid support material. See, e.g., International
publications WO 93/17715, WO 92/08802, WO 91/00360, and WO
92/05793; Tutt, et al., J. Immunol. 147:60-69 (1991); U.S. Pat.
Nos. 4,474,893, 4,714,681, 4,925,648, 5,573,920, and 5,601,819; and
Kostelny et al., J. Immunol. 148:1547-1553 (1992).
[0219] The present invention provides for antibodies that have a
high binding affinity for an IL-9 polypeptide. In a specific
embodiment, an antibody that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9
polypeptide has an association rate constant or k.sub.on rate
##STR00001##
of at least 10.sup.5 M.sup.-1s.sup.-1, at least
1.5.times.10.sup.5M.sup.-1s.sup.-1, at least 2.times.10.sup.5
M.sup.-1s.sup.-1, at least 2.5.times.10 M.sup.-1s.sup.-1, at least
5.times.10.sup.5 M.sup.-1s.sup.-1, at least 10.sup.6
M.sup.-1s.sup.-1, at least 5.times.10.sup.6 M.sup.-1s.sup.-1, at
least 10.sup.7 M.sup.-1s.sup.-1, at least 5.times.10.sup.7
M.sup.-1s.sup.-1, or at least 10.sup.8 M.sup.-1s.sup.1, or
10.sup.5-10.sup.8M.sup.-1s.sup.-1, 1.5.times.10.sup.5
M.sup.-1s.sup.1-1.times.10.sup.7 M.sup.-1s.sup.-1,
2.times.10.sup.5-1.times.10.sup.6 M.sup.-1s.sup.-1, or
4.5.times.10.sup.5.times.10.sup.7 M.sup.-1s.sup.-1. In a preferred
embodiment, an antibody that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9
polypeptide has a k.sub.on of at least 2.times.10.sup.5
M.sup.-1s.sup.-1, at least 2.5.times.10.sup.5 M.sup.-1s.sup.-1, at
least 5.times.10.sup.5 M.sup.-1s.sup.-1, at least 106
M.sup.-1s.sup.-1, at least 5.times.10.sup.6 M.sup.-1s.sup.-1, at
least 10.sup.7 M.sup.-1s.sup.-1, at least 5.times.10.sup.7
M.sup.-1s.sup.-1, or at least 10.sup.8 M.sup.-1s.sup.-1 as
determined by a BIAcore assay and the antibody neutralizes human
IL-9 in the microneutralization assay as described herein. In a
preferred embodiment, an antibody that immunospecifically binds to
an IL-9 polypeptide has a k.sub.on of at most 10.sup.8
M.sup.-1s.sup.-1, at most 10.sup.9 M.sup.-1s.sup.-1, at most
10.sup.10 M.sup.-1s.sup.-1, at most 10.sup.11 M.sup.-1s.sup.-1, or
at most 10.sup.12 M.sup.-1s.sup.-1 as determined by a BIAcore assay
and the antibody neutralizes human IL-9 in the microneutralization
assay as described herein. In accordance with these embodiments,
such antibodies may comprise a VH domain and/or a VL domain of 4D4,
4D4H2-1 D11, 4D4com-XF-9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 7F3 22D3,
7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5 or 7F3com-3D4 or a VH CDR and/or a VL CDR of
4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11, 4D4com-XF-9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 7F3 22D3,
7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5 or 7F3com-3D4.
[0220] In another embodiment, an antibody that immmospecifically
binds to an IL-9 polypeptide has a k.sub.off rate
##STR00002##
of less than 10.sup.-3 s.sup.-1, less than 5.times.10.sup.-3
s.sup.-1, less than 10.sup.-4 s.sup.-1, less than 2.times.10.sup.-4
s.sup.-1, less than 5.times.10.sup.-4 s.sup.-1, less than 10.sup.-5
s.sup.-1, less than 5.times.10.sup.-5 s.sup.-1, less than 10.sup.-6
s.sup.-1, less than 5.times.10.sup.-6 s.sup.-1, less than 10.sup.-7
s.sup.-1, less than 5.times.10.sup.-7 s.sup.-1, less than 10.sup.-8
s.sup.-1, less than 5.times.10.sup.-8 s.sup.-1, less than 10.sup.-9
s.sup.-1, less than 5.times.10.sup.-9 s.sup.-1, or less than
10.sup.-10 s.sup.-1, or 10.sup.-3-10.sup.10 s.sup.-1,
10.sup.-4-10.sup.-8 s.sup.-1, or 10.sup.-5-10.sup.-8 s.sup.-1. In a
preferred embodiment, an antibody that immunospecifically binds to
an IL-9 polypeptide has a k.sub.off of 10.sup.-5 s.sup.-1, less
than 5.times.10.sup.-5 s.sup.-1, less than 10.sup.-6 s.sup.-1, less
than 5.times.10.sup.-6 s.sup.-1, less than 10.sup.-7 s.sup.-1, less
than 5.times.10.sup.-7 s.sup.-1, less than 10.sup.-8 s.sup.-1, less
than 5.times.10.sup.-8 s.sup.-1, less than 10.sup.-9 s.sup.-1, less
than 5.times.10.sup.-9 s.sup.-1, or less than 10.sup.-10 s.sup.-1
as determined by a BIAcore assay and the antibody neutralizes human
IL-9 in the microneutralization assay described herein. In another
preferred embodiment, an antibody that immunospecifically binds to
an IL-9 polypeptide has a k.sub.off of greater than 10.sup.-13
s.sup.-1, greater than 10.sup.-12 s.sup.-1, greater than 10.sup.-11
s.sup.-1, greater than 10.sup.-10 s.sup.-1, greater than 10.sup.-9
s.sup.-1, or greater than 10.sup.-8 s.sup.-1. In accordance with
these embodiments, such antibodies may comprise a VH domain and/or
a VL domain of 4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11, 4D4com-XF-9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3,
71A10, 7F3 22D3, 7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5 or 7F3com-3D4, or a VH CDR
and/or a VL CDR of 4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11, 4D4com-XF-9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3,
71A10, 7F3 22D3, 7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5 or 7F3com-3D4.
[0221] In another embodiment, an antibody that immunospecifically
binds to an IL-9 polypeptide has an affinity constant or K.sub.a
(k.sub.on/k.sub.off) of at least 10.sup.2 M.sup.-1, at least
5.times.10.sup.2 M.sup.-1, at least 10.sup.3 M.sup.-1, at least
5.times.10.sup.3 M.sup.-1, at least 10.sup.4 M.sup.-1, at least
5.times.10.sup.4 M.sup.-1, at least 10.sup.5 M.sup.-1, at least
5.times.10.sup.5 M.sup.-1, at least 10.sup.6 M.sup.-1, at least
5.times.10.sup.6 M.sup.-1, at least 10.sup.7 M.sup.-1, at least
5.times.10.sup.7 M.sup.-1, at least 10.sup.8 M.sup.-1, at least
5.times.10.sup.8 M.sup.-1, at least 10.sup.9 M.sup.-1, at least
5.times.10.sup.9 M.sup.-1, at least 10.sup.10 M.sup.-1, at least
5.times.10.sup.10 M.sup.-1, at least 10.sup.11 M.sup.-1, at least
5.times.10.sup.11 M.sup.-1, at least 10.sup.12 M.sup.-1, at least
5.times.10.sup.12 M.sup.-1, at least 10.sup.13 M.sup.-1, at least
5.times.10.sup.13 M.sup.-1, at least 10.sup.14 M.sup.-1, at least
5.times.10.sup.4 M.sup.-1, at least 10.sup.15 M.sup.-1, or at least
5.times.10.sup.15 M.sup.-1, or 10.sup.2-5.times.10.sup.5 M.sup.-1,
10.sup.4-1.times.10.sup.10 M.sup.-1, or 10.sup.5-1.times.10.sup.8
M.sup.-1. In another embodiment, an antibody that immunospecificaly
binds to an IL-9 polypeptide has a K.sub.a of at most 10.sup.11
M.sup.-1, at most 5.times.10.sup.11 M.sup.-1, at most 10.sup.12
M.sup.-1, at most 5.times.10.sup.12 M.sup.-1, at most 10.sup.13
M.sup.-1, at most 5.times.10.sup.13 M.sup.-1, at most 10.sup.14
M.sup.-1, or at most 5.times.10.sup.14 M.sup.-1. In another
embodiment, an antibody that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9
polypeptide has a dissociation constant or K.sub.d
(k.sub.off/k.sub.on) of less than 10.sup.-5 M, less than
5.times.10.sup.-5 M, less than 10.sup.-6 M, less than
5.times.10.sup.-6 M, less than 10.sup.-7 M, less than
5.times.10.sup.-7 M, less than 10.sup.-8 M, less than
5.times.10.sup.-8 M, less than 10.sup.-9 M, less than 10.sup.-10 M,
less than 5.times.10.sup.-10 M, less than 10.sup.-1 M, less than
5.times.10.sup.-1 M, less than 10.sup.-12 M, less than
5.times.10.sup.-12 M, less than 10.sup.-13 M, less than
5.times.10.sup.-13 M, less than 10.sup.-4 M, less than
5.times.10.sup.-14 M, less than 10.sup.-15 M, or less than
5.times.10.sup.-15 M or 10.sup.-2 M-5.times.10.sup.-5 M,
10.sup.-6-10.sup.-15 M, or 10.sup.-8-10.sup.-14M. In a preferred
embodiment, an antibody that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9
polypeptide has a K.sub.d of less than 10.sup.-9 M, less than
5.times.10.sup.-9 M, less than 10.sup.-10 M, less than
5.times.10.sup.-10 M, less than 1.times.10.sup.-11 M, less than
5.times.10.sup.-11 M, less than 1.times.10.sup.-12 M, less than
5.times.10.sup.-12 M, less than 10.sup.-13 M, less than
5.times.10.sup.-13 M or less than 1.times.10.sup.-14 M, or
10.sup.-9 M-10.sup.-14 M as determined by a BIAcore assay and the
antibody neutralizes human IL-9 in the microneutralization assay
described herein. In another preferred embodiment, an antibody that
immunospecifically binds to an EL-9 polypeptide has a K.sub.d of
greater than 10.sup.-9 M, greater than 5.times.10.sup.-9 M, greater
than 10.sup.-10 M, greater than 5.times.10.sup.-10 M, greater than
10.sup.-11 M, greater than 5.times.10.sup.-11 M, greater than
10.sup.-12 M, greater than 5.times.10.sup.-12 M, greater than
6.times.10.sup.-12 M, greater than 10.sup.-13 M, greater than
5.times.10.sup.-13 M, greater than 10.sup.-14 M, greater than
5.times.10.sup.-14 M or greater than 10.sup.-9 M-10.sup.-14 M. In
accordance with these embodiments, such antibodies may comprise a
VH domain and/or a VL domain of 4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11, 4D4com-XF-9,
4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 7F3 22D3, 7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5 or
7F3com-3D4, or a VH CDR and/or a VL CDR of 4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11,
4D4com-XF-9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 7F3 22D3, 7F3com-2H2,
7F3com-3H5 or 7F3com-3D4.
[0222] In certain embodiments, the antibodies of the invention do
not include antibodies known in the art that immunospecifically
bind to an IL-9 polypeptide. Non-limiting examples of known
antibodies that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide
include 4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11, 4D4com-XF-9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 7F3
22D3, 7F3com-2H2, 7F3com-3H5 or 7F3com-3D4.
[0223] In specific embodiments, antibodies of the invention bind
antigenic epitope-bearing peptides and polypeptides of L-9, and
said antigenic epitope-bearing peptides and polypeptides comprise
or consist of an amino acid sequence of at least 4, at least 5, at
least 6, at least 7, more preferably at least 8, at least 9, at
least 10, at least 11, at least 12, at least 13, at least 14, at
least 15, at least 20, at least 25, at least 30, at least 40, at
least 50 continguous amino acid residues, and, preferably, between
about 15 to about 30 continguous amino acids of IL-9 found in any
species. Preferred polypeptides comprising immunogenic or antigenic
epitopes are at least 8, at least 10, at least 15, at least 20, at
least 25, at least at least 30, or at least 35 amino acid residues
in length.
[0224] IL-9 epitope-bearing peptides, polypeptides, and fragments
thereof may be produced by any conventional means. See, e.g.,
Houghten, R. A. (1985) "General method for the rapid solid-phase
synthesis of large numbers of peptides: specificity of
antigen-antibody interaction at the level of individual amino
acids," Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82:5 13 1-5 135; this
"Simultaneous Multiple Peptide Synthesis (SMPS)" process is further
described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,631,211 to Houghten et al. (1986).
[0225] The present invention provides peptides, polypeptides and/or
proteins comprising one or more variable or hypervariable regions
of the antibodies described herein. Preferably, peptides,
polypeptides or proteins comprising one or more variable or
hypervariable regions of antibodies of the invention further
comprise a heterologous amino acid sequence. In certain
embodiments, such a heterologous amino acid sequence comprises at
least 5 contiguous amino acid residues, at least 10 contiguous
amino acid residues, at least 15 contiguous amino acid residues, at
least 20 contiguous amino acid residues, at least 25 contiguous
amino acid residues, at least 30 contiguous amino acid residues, at
least 40 contiguous amino acid residues, at least 50 contiguous
amino acid residues, at least 75 contiguous amino acid residues, at
least 100 contiguous amino acid residues or more contiguous amino
acid residues. Such peptides, polypeptides and/or proteins may be
referred to as fusion proteins.
[0226] In a specific embodiment, peptides, polypeptides or proteins
comprising one or more variable or hypervariable regions of the
antibodies of the invention are 10 amino acid residues, 15 amino
acid residues, 20 amino acid residues, 25 amino acid residues, 30
amino acid residues, 35 amino acid residues, 40 amino acid
residues, 45 amino acid residues, 50 amino acid residues, 75 amino
acid residues, 100 amino acid residues, 125 amino acid residues,
150 amino acid residues or more amino acid residues in length. In
certain embodiments, peptides, polypeptides, or proteins comprising
one or more variable or hypervariable regions of an antibody of the
invention immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide. In other
embodiments, peptides, polypeptides, or proteins comprising one or
more variable or hypervariable regions of an antibody of the
invention do not immunospecifically bind to an IL-9
polypeptide.
[0227] In a specific embodiment, the present invention provides
peptides, polypeptides and/or proteins comprising a VH domain
and/or VL domain of one of the antibodies described herein (see
Table 1, supra). In a preferred embodiment, the present invention
provides peptides, polypeptides and/or proteins comprising one or
more CDRs having the amino acid sequence of any of the CDRs listed
in Table 1, supra. In accordance with these embodiments, the
peptides, polypeptides or proteins may further comprise a
heterologous amino acid sequence.
[0228] Peptides, polypeptides or proteins comprising one or more
variable or hypervariable regions have utility, e.g., in the
production of anti-idiotypic antibodies which in turn may be used
to prevent, treat, and/or ameliorate one or more symptoms
associated with a disease or disorder (e.g., an autoimmune
disorder, an inflammatory disorder, a proliferative disorder or an
infection (preferably, a respiratory infection)). The
anti-idiotypic antibodies produced can also be utilized in
immunoassays, such as, e.g., ELISAs, for the detection of
antibodies which comprise a variable or hypervariable region
contained in the peptide, polypeptide or protein used in the
production of the anti-idiotypic antibodies.
[0229] 5.1.1 Antibodies Having Increased Half-Lives
[0230] The present invention provides for antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide which have an
extended half-life in vivo. In particular, the present invention
provides antibodies that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9
polypeptide which have a half-life in a subject, preferably a
mammal and most preferably a human, of greater than 3 days, greater
than 7 days, greater than 10 days, preferably greater than 15 days,
greater than 25 days, greater than 30 days, greater than 35 days,
greater than 40 days, greater than 45 days, greater than 2 months,
greater than 3 months, greater than 4 months, or greater than 5
months.
[0231] To prolong the serum circulation of antibodies (e.g.,
monoclonal antibodies, single chain antibodies and Fab fragments)
in vivo, for example, inert polymer molecules such as high
molecular weight polyethyleneglycol (PEG) can be attached to the
antibodies with or without a multifunctional linker either through
site-specific conjugation of the PEG to the N- or C-terminus of the
antibodies or via epsilon-amino groups present on lysine residues.
Linear or branched polymer derivatization that results in minimal
loss of biological activity will be used. The degree of conjugation
can be closely monitored by SDS-PAGE and mass spectrometry to
ensure proper conjugation of PEG molecules to the antibodies.
Unreacted PEG can be separated from antibody-PEG conjugates by
size-exclusion or by ion-exchange chromatography. PEG-derivatized
antibodies can be tested for binding activity as well as for in
vivo efficacy using methods well-known to those of skill in the
art, for example, by immunoassays described herein.
[0232] Antibodies having an increased half-life in vivo can also be
generated introducing one or more amino acid modifications (i.e.,
substitutions, insertions or deletions) into an IgG constant
domain, or FcRn binding fragment thereof (preferably a Fc or
hinge-Fc domain fragment). See, e.g., International Publication No.
WO 98/23289; International Publication No. WO 97/34631;
International Publication No. WO 02/060919; and U.S. Pat. No.
6,277,375, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
[0233] Further, antibodies can be conjugated to albumin in order to
make the antibody or antibody fragment more stable in vivo or have
a longer half life in vivo. The techniques are well-known in the
art, see, e.g., International Publication Nos. WO 93/15199, WO
93/15200, and WO 01/77137; and European Patent No. EP 413,622, all
of which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0234] 5.1.2 Antibody Conjugates
[0235] The present invention provides of antibodies or fragments
thereof that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide
recombinantly fused or chemically conjugated (including both
covalent and non-covalent conjugations) to a heterologous protein
or polypeptide (or fragment thereof, preferably to a polypeptide of
at least 10, at least 20, at least 30, at least 40, at least 50, at
least 60, at least 70, at least 80, at least 90 or at least 100
amino acids) to generate fusion proteins. In particular, the
invention provides fusion proteins comprising an antigen-binding
fragment of an antibody described herein (e.g., a Fab fragment, Fd
fragment, Fv fragment, F(ab).sub.2 fragment, a VH domain, a VH CDR,
a VL domain or a VL CDR) and a heterologous protein, polypeptide,
or peptide. Preferably, the heterologous protein, polypeptide, or
peptide that the antibody or antibody fragment is fused to is
useful for targeting the antibody to respiratory epithelial cells,
mast cells, neutrophils, eosinophils, B cells, macrophages, or
activated T cells. For example, an antibody that immunospecifically
binds to a cell surface receptor expressed by a particular cell
type (e.g., a respiratory epithelial cell, a mast cell, a
neutrophil, an eosinophil, a B cell, a macrophage, or an activated
T cell) may be fused or conjugated to an antibody or fragment of
the invention. In a specific embodiment, an antibody that
immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide is fused or
conjugated to an anti-stem cell factor or an anti-kit ligand.
Methods for fusing or conjugating proteins, polypeptides, or
peptides to an antibody or an antibody fragment are known in the
art. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,336,603, 5,622,929, 5,359,046,
5,349,053, 5,447,851, and 5,112,946; European Patent Nos. EP
307,434 and EP 367,166; International Publication Nos. WO 96/04388
and WO 91/06570; Ashkenazi et al., 1991, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA
88: 10535-10539; Zheng et al., 1995, J. Immunol. 154:5590-5600; and
Vil et al., 1992, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:11337-11341 (said
references are incorporated herein by reference in their
entireties).
[0236] Additional fusion proteins may be generated through the
techniques of gene-shuffling, motif-shuffling, exon-shuffling,
and/or codon-shuffling (collectively referred to as "DNA
shuffling"). DNA shuffling may be employed to alter the activities
of antibodies of the invention or fragments thereof (e.g.,
antibodies or fragments thereof with higher affinities and lower
dissociation rates). See, generally, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,605,793,
5,811,238, 5,830,721, 5,834,252, and 5,837,458; Patten et al.,
1997, Curr. Opinion Biotechnol. 8:724-33; Harayama, 1998, Trends
Biotechnol. 16(2):76-82; Hansson, et al., 1999, J. Mol. Biol.
287:265-76; and Lorenzo and Blasco, 1998, Biotechniques
24(2):308-313 (each of these patents and publications are hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety). Antibodies or fragments
thereof, or the encoded antibodies or fragments thereof, may be
altered by being subjected to random mutagenesis by error-prone
PCR, random nucleotide insertion or other methods prior to
recombination. A polynucleotide encoding an antibody or fragment
thereof that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide may be
recombined with one or more components, motifs, sections, parts,
domains, fragments, etc. of one or more heterologous molecules.
[0237] Moreover, the antibodies or fragments thereof can be fused
to marker sequences, such as a peptide to facilitate purification.
In preferred embodiments, the marker amino acid sequence is a
hexa-histidine peptide, such as the tag provided in a pQE vector
(QIAGEN, Inc., 9259 Eton Avenue, Chatsworth, Calif., 91311), among
others, many of which are commercially available. As described in
Gentz et al., 1989, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86:821-824, for
instance, hexa-histidine provides for convenient purification of
the fusion protein. Other peptide tags useful for purification
include, but are not limited to, the hemagglutinin ("HA") tag,
which corresponds to an epitope derived from the influenza
hemagglutinin protein (Wilson et al., 1984, Cell 37:767), and the
"flag" tag.
[0238] In other embodiments, antibodies of the present invention or
fragments thereof conjugated to a diagnostic or detectable agent.
Such antibodies can be useful for monitoring or prognosing the
onset, development, progression and/or severity of a disease or
disorder (e.g., an autoimmune disorder, an inflammatory disorder, a
proliferative disorder, or an infection (preferably, a respiratory
infection)) as part of a clinical testing procedure, such as
determining the efficacy of a particular therapy. Such diagnosis
and detection can accomplished by coupling the antibody to
detectable substances including, but not limited to, various
enzymes, such as, but not limited to, horseradish peroxidase,
alkaline phosphatase, beta-galactosidase, or acetylcholinesterase;
prosthetic groups, such as, but not limited to, streptavidin/biotin
and avidin/biotin; fluorescent materials, such as, but not limited
to, umbelliferone, fluorescein, fluorescein isothiocynate,
rhodamine, dichlorotriazinylamine fluorescein, dansyl chloride or
phycoerythrin; luminescent materials, such as, but not limited to,
luminol; bioluminescent materials, such as but not limited to,
luciferase, luciferin, and aequorin; radioactive materials, such
as, but not limited to, iodine (.sup.131I, .sup.125I, .sup.123I,
and .sup.121I), carbon (.sup.14C), sulfur (.sup.35S), tritium
(.sup.3H), indium (.sup.115In, .sup.113In, .sup.112In, and
.sup.111In,), technetium (.sup.99Tc), thallium (.sup.201Ti),
gallium (.sup.68Ga, .sup.67Ga), palladium (.sup.103Pd), molybdenum
(.sup.99Mo), xenon (.sup.133Xe), fluorine (.sup.18F), .sup.153Sm,
.sup.177Lu, .sup.159Gd, .sup.149 Pm, .sup.140La, .sup.175Yb,
.sup.166Ho, .sup.90Y, .sup.47Sc, .sup.186Re, .sup.188Re,
.sup.142Pr, .sup.105Rh, .sup.97Ru, .sup.68Ge, .sup.57Co, .sup.65Zn,
.sup.85Sr, .sup.32P, .sup.153Gd, .sup.169Yb, .sup.51Cr, 54Mn,
.sup.75Se, .sup.113Sn, and .sup.117Sn; and positron emitting metals
using various positron emission tomographies, and noradioactive
paramagnetic metal ions.
[0239] The present invention further encompasses uses of antibodies
or fragments thereof conjugated to a therapeutic moiety. An
antibody or fragment thereof may be conjugated to a therapeutic
moiety such as a cytotoxin, e.g., a cytostatic or cytocidal agent,
a therapeutic agent or a radioactive metal ion, e.g.,
alpha-emitters. A cytotoxin or cytotoxic agent includes any agent
that is detrimental to cells. Therapeutic moieties include, but are
not limited to, antimetabolites (e.g., methotrexate,
6-mercaptopurine, 6-thioguanine, cytarabine, 5-fluorouracil
decarbazine); alkylating agents (e.g., mechlorethamine, thioepa
chlorambucil, melphalan, carmustine (BCNU) and lomustine (CCNU),
cyclothosphamide, busulfan, dibromomannitol, streptozotocin,
mitomycin C, and cisdichlorodiamine platinum (II) (DDP), and
cisplatin); anthracyclines (e.g., daunorubicin (formerly
daunomycin) and doxorubicin); antibiotics (e.g., dactinomycin
(formerly actinomycin), bleomycin, mithramycin, and anthramycin
(AMC)); Auristatin molecules (e.g., auristatin PHE, bryostatin 1,
and solastatin 10; see Woyke et al., Antimicrob. Agents Chemother.
46:3802-8 (2002), Woyke et al., Antimicrob. Agents Chemother.
45:3580-4 (2001), Mohammad et al., Anticancer Drugs 12:735-40
(2001), Wall et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 266:76-80
(1999), Mohammad et al., Int. J. Oncol. 15:367-72 (1999), all of
which are incorporated herein by reference); hormones (e.g.,
glucocorticoids, progestins, androgens, and estrogens), DNA-repair
enzyme inhibitors (e.g., etoposide or topotecan), kinase inhibitors
(e.g., compound ST1571, imatinib mesylate (Kantarjian et al., Clin
Cancer Res. 8(7):2167-76 (2002)); cytotoxic agents (e.g.,
paclitaxel, cytochalasin B, gramicidin D, ethidium bromide,
emetine, mitomycin, etoposide, tenoposide, vincristine,
vinblastine, colchicin, doxorubicin, daunorubicin, dihydroxy
anthracin dione, mitoxantrone, mithramycin, actinomycin D,
1-dehydrotestosterone, glucorticoids, procaine, tetracaine,
lidocaine, propranolol, and puromycin and analogs or homologs
thereof and those compounds disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,245,759,
6,399,633, 6,383,790, 6,335,156, 6,271,242, 6,242,196, 6,218,410,
6,218,372, 6,057,300, 6,034,053, 5,985,877, 5,958,769, 5,925,376,
5,922,844, 5,911,995, 5,872,223, 5,863,904, 5,840,745, 5,728,868,
5,648,239, 5,587,459); farnesyl transferase inhibitors (e.g.,
R115777, BMS-214662, and those disclosed by, for example, U.S. Pat.
Nos. 6,458,935, 6,451,812, 6,440,974, 6,436,960, 6,432,959,
6,420,387, 6,414,145, 6,410,541, 6,410,539, 6,403,581, 6,399,615,
6,387,905, 6,372,747, 6,369,034, 6,362,188, 6,342,765, 6,342,487,
6,300,501, 6,268,363, 6,265,422, 6,248,756, 6,239,140, 6,232,338,
6,228,865, 6,228,856, 6,225,322, 6,218,406, 6,211,193, 6,187,786,
6,169,096, 6,159,984, 6,143,766, 6,133,303, 6,127,366, 6,124,465,
6,124,295, 6,103,723, 6,093,737, 6,090,948, 6,080,870, 6,077,853,
6,071,935, 6,066,738, 6,063,930, 6,054,466, 6,051,582, 6,051,574,
and 6,040,305); topoisomerase inhibitors (e.g., camptothecin;
irinotecan; SN-38; topotecan; 9-aminocamptothecin; GG-211 (GI
147211); DX-8951f; IST-622; rubitecan; pyrazoloacridine; XR-5000;
saintopin; UCE6; UCE1022; TAN-1518A; TAN-1518B; KT6006; KT6528;
ED-110; NB-506; ED-110; NB-506; and rebeccamycin); bulgarein; DNA
minor groove binders such as Hoescht dye 33342 and Hoechst dye
33258; nitidine; fagaronine; epiberberine; coralyne;
beta-lapachone; BC-4-1; bisphosphonates (e.g., alendronate,
cimadronte, clodronate, tiludronate, etidronate, ibandronate,
neridronate, olpandronate, risedronate, piridronate, pamidronate,
zolendronate) HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, (e.g., lovastatin,
simvastatin, atorvastatin, pravastatin, fluvastatin, statin,
cerivastatin, lescol, lupitor, rosuvastatin and atorvastatin);
antisense oligonucleotides (e.g., those disclosed in the U.S. Pat.
Nos. 6,277,832, 5,998,596, 5,885,834, 5,734,033, and 5,618,709);
adenosine deaminase inhibitors (e.g., Fludarabine phosphate and
2-Chlorodeoxyadenosine); ibritumomab tiuxetan (Zevalin.RTM.);
tositumomab (Bexxar.RTM.)) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts,
solvates, clathrates, and prodrugs thereof.
[0240] Further, an antibody or fragment thereof may be conjugated
to a therapeutic moiety or drug moiety that modifies a given
biological response. Therapeutic moieties or drug moieties are not
to be construed as limited to classical chemical therapeutic
agents. For example, the drug moiety may be a protein, peptide, or
polypeptide possessing a desired biological activity. Such proteins
may include, for example, a toxin such as abrin, ricin A,
pseudomonas exotoxin, cholera toxin, or diphtheria toxin; a protein
such as tumor necrosis factor, .alpha.-interferon,
.beta.-interferon, nerve growth factor, platelet derived growth
factor, tissue plasminogen activator, an apoptotic agent, e.g.,
TNF-.alpha., TNF-.beta., AIM I (see, International Publication No.
WO 97/33899), AIM II (see, International Publication No. WO
97/34911), Fas Ligand (Takahashi et al., 1994, J. Immunol.,
6:1567-1574), and VEGF (see, International Publication No. WO
99/23105), an anti-angiogenic agent, e.g., angiostatin, endostatin
or a component of the coagulation pathway (e.g., tissue factor);
or, a biological response modifier such as, for example, a
lymphokine (e.g., interferon gamma ("IFN-.gamma."), interleukin-1
("IL-1"), interleukin-2 ("IL-2"), interleukin-5 ("IL-5"),
interleukin-6 ("IL-6"), interleuking-7 ("IL-7"), interleukin-10
("IL-10"), interleukin-12 ("IL-12"), interleukin-15 ("IL-15"),
interleukin-23 ("IL-23"), granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating
factor ("GM-CSF"), and granulocyte colony stimulating factor
("G-CSF")), or a growth factor (e.g., growth hormone ("GH")), or a
coagulation agent (e.g., calcium, vitamin K, tissue factors, such
as but not limited to, Hageman factor (factor XII),
high-molecular-weight kininogen (HMWK), prekallikrein (PK),
coagulation proteins-factors II (prothrombin), factor V, XIIa,
VIII, XIIIa, XI, XIa, IX, IXa, X, phospholipid. fibrinopeptides A
and B from the .alpha. and .beta. chains of fibrinogen, fibrin
monomer). In a specific embodiment, an antibody that
immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide is conjugated with
a leukotriene antagonist (e.g., montelukast, zafirlukast,
pranlukast, and zyleuton).
[0241] Moreover, an antibody can be conjugated to therapeutic
moieties such as a radioactive metal ion, such as alph-emiters such
as .sup.213Bi or macrocyclic chelators useful for conjugating
radiometal ions, including but not limited to, .sup.131In,
.sup.131L, .sup.131Y, .sup.131Ho, .sup.131Sm, to polypeptides or
any of those listed supra. In certain embodiments, the macrocyclic
chelator is
1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N',N'',N'''-tetraacetic acid
(DOTA) which can be attached to the antibody via a linker molecule.
Such linker molecules are commonly known in the art and described
in Denardo et al., 1998, Clin Cancer Res. 4(10):2483-90; Peterson
et al., 1999, Bioconjug. Chem. 10(4):553-7; and Zimmerman et al.,
1999, Nucl. Med. Biol. 26(8):943-50, each incorporated by reference
in their entireties.
[0242] Techniques for conjugating therapeutic moieties to
antibodies are well known, see, e.g., Amon et al., "Monoclonal
Antibodies For Immunotargeting Of Drugs In Cancer Therapy", in
Monoclonal Antibodies And Cancer Therapy, Reisfeld et al. (eds.),
pp. 243-56 (Alan R. Liss, Inc. 1985); Hellstrom et al., "Antibodies
For Drug Delivery", in Controlled Drug Delivery (2nd Ed.), Robinson
et al. (eds.), pp. 623-53 (Marcel Dekker, Inc. 1987); Thorpe,
"Antibody Carriers Of Cytotoxic Agents In Cancer Therapy: A
Review", in Monoclonal Antibodies 84: Biological And Clinical
Applications, Pinchera et al. (eds.), pp. 475-506 (1985);
"Analysis, Results, And Future Prospective Of The Therapeutic Use
Of Radiolabeled Antibody In Cancer Therapy", in Monoclonal
Antibodies For Cancer Detection And Therapy, Baldwin et al. (eds.),
pp. 303-16 (Academic Press 1985), and Thorpe et al., 1982, Immunol.
Rev. 62:119-58.
[0243] Alternatively, an antibody can be conjugated to a second
antibody to form an antibody heteroconjugate as described by Segal
in U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,980, which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
[0244] The therapeutic moiety or drug conjugated to an antibody
that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide or fragment
thereof should be chosen to achieve the desired prophylactic or
therapeutic effect(s) for a particular disease or disorder
associated with or characterized by aberrant expression and/or
activity of an IL-9 polypeptide, diseases or disorders associated
with or characterized by aberrant expression and/or activity of an
IL-9R or one or more subunits thereof, autoimmune disease,
inflammatory disease, proliferative disease, or infection
(preferably, a respiratory infection) in a subject. A clinician or
other medical personnel should consider the following when deciding
on which therapeutic moiety or drug to conjugate to an antibody
that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide or fragment
thereof: the nature of the disease, the severity of the disease,
and the condition of the subject.
[0245] Antibodies may also be attached to solid supports, which are
particularly useful for immunoassays or purification of the target
antigen. Such solid supports include, but are not limited to,
glass, cellulose, polyacrylamide, nylon, polystyrene, polyvinyl
chloride or polypropylene.
5.2 Therapies Useful in Combination with IL-9 Antibodies
[0246] The present invention also provides methods for preventing,
managing, treating, and/or ameliorating diseases and disorders
including, but not limited to, disorders characterized by aberrant
expression and/or activity IL-9, disorders characterized by
aberrant expression and/or activity of an IL-9R or one or more
subunits thereof, inflammatory disorders, autoimmune disorders,
proliferative disorders, or infections (preferably, respiratory
infections) comprising administering to a subject in need thereof
an effective amount of one or more antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide and one or more
therapies (e.g., prophylactic or therapeutic agents) other than
antibodies that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide (see
U.S. Provisional Appn. No. 60/477,801, filed Jun. 10, 2003,
entitled "Methods of Preventing or Treating Respiratory
Conditions," U.S. Provisional Appn. No. 60/462,307, filed Apr. 11,
2003, entitled "Methods of Preventing or Treating Respiratory
Conditions," and a U.S. Provisional Application (identified by
Attorney Docket No. 10271-113-999) filed concurrently herewith
(Apr. 12, 2004), entitled "Methods of Preventing or Treating
Respiratory Conditions," which are all incorporated by reference
herein in their entireties). The present invention also provides
compositions comprising one or more antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide and one or more
prophylactic or therapeutic agents other than antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 peptide and methods of
preventing, managing, treating, and/or ameliorating a disease or
disorder utilizing said compositions. Therapeutic or prophylactic
agents include, but are not limited to, small molecules, synthetic
drugs, peptides, polypeptides, proteins, nucleic acids (e.g., DNA
and RNA nucleotides including, but not limited to, antisense
nucleotide sequences, triple helices, RNAi, and nucleotide
sequences encoding biologically active proteins, polypeptides or
peptides) antibodies, synthetic or natural inorganic molecules,
mimetic agents, and synthetic or natural organic molecules.
[0247] Any therapy (e.g., prophylactic or therapeutic agents) which
is known to be useful, or which has been used or is currently being
used for the prevention, management, treatment, or amelioration of
one or more symptoms associated with a disorder characterized by
aberrant expression and/or activity of an IL-9 polypeptide, a
disorder or disease associated with aberrant expression and/or
activity of an IL-9R or one or more subunits thereof, an
inflammatory disorder, an autoimmune disorder, a proliferative
disorder or an infection (preferably, a respiratory infection) can
be used in combination with an antibody that immunospecifically
binds to an IL-9 polypeptide in accordance with the invention
described herein. See, e.g., Gilman et al., Goodman and Gilman's:
The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Tenth Ed., McGraw-Hill,
New York, 2001; The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, Berkow,
M. D. et al. (eds.), 17th Ed., Merck Sharp & Dohme Research
Laboratories, Rahway, N.J., 1999; and Cecil Textbook of Medicine,
20th Ed., Bennett and Plum (eds.), W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia,
1996 for information regarding therapies, in particular
prophylactic or therapeutic agents, which have been or are
currently being used for preventing, treating, managing, and/or
ameliorating disorders associated with aberrant expression and/or
activity of an IL-9 polypeptide, disorders associated with aberrant
expression and/or activity of an IL-9R or one or more subunits
thereof, autoimmune disorders, inflammatory disorders,
proliferative disorders or infections. Examples of prophylactic and
therapeutic agents include, but are not limited to,
immunomodulatory agents, anti-inflammatory agents (e.g.,
adrenocorticoids, corticosteroids (e.g., beclomethasone,
budesonide, flunisolide, fluticasone, triamcinolone,
methlyprednisolone, prednisolone, prednisone, hydrocortisone),
glucocorticoids, steroids, non-steriodal anti-inflammatory drugs
(e.g., aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac, and COX-2 inhibitors), and
leukotreine antagonists (e.g., montelukast, methyl xanthines,
zafirlukast, and zileuton), beta2-agonists (e.g., albuterol,
biterol, fenoterol, isoetharie, metaproterenol, pirbuterol,
salbutamol, terbutalin formoterol, salmeterol, and salbutamol
terbutaline), anticholinergic agents (e.g., ipratropium bromide and
oxitropium bromide), sulphasalazine, penicillamine, dapsone,
antihistamines, anti-malarial agents (e.g., hydroxychloroquine),
anti-viral agents, and antibiotics (e.g., dactinomycin (formerly
actinomycin), bleomycin, erythomycin, penicillin, mithramycin, and
anthramycin (AMC)).
[0248] 5.2.1 Immunomodulatory Therapies
[0249] Any immunomodulatory agent well-known to one of skill in the
art may be used in the methods and compositions of the invention.
Immunomodulatory agents can affect one or more or all aspects of
the immune response in a subject. Aspects of the immune response
include, but are not limited to, the inflammatory response, the
complement cascade, leukocyte and lymphocyte differentiation,
proliferation, and/or effector function, monocyte and/or basophil
counts, and the cellular communication among cells of the immune
system. In certain embodiments of the invention, an
immunomodulatory agent modulates one aspect of the immune response.
In other embodiments, an immunomodulatory agent modulates more than
one aspect of the immune response. In a preferred embodiment of the
invention, the administration of an immunomodulatory agent to a
subject inhibits or reduces one or more aspects of the subject's
immune response capabilities. In a specific embodiment of the
invention, the immunomodulatory agent inhibits or suppresses the
immune response in a subject. In accordance with the invention, an
immunomodulatory agent is not antibody that immunospecifically
binds to an IL-9 polypeptide. In certain embodiments, an
immunomodulatory agent is not an anti-inflammatory agent. In
certain embodiments, an immunomodulatory agent is not an
anti-angiogneic agent. In other embodiments, an immunomodulatory
agent is not an integrin .alpha..sub.v.beta..sub.3 antagonist. In
other embodiments, an immunomodulatory agent is not a TNF a
antagonist. In certain embodiments, an immunomodulatory agent is a
chemotherapeutic agent. In certain embodiments, an immunomodulatory
agent is not a chemotherapeutic agent.
[0250] Examples of immunomodulatory agents include, but are not
limited to, proteinaceous agents such as cytokines, peptide
mimetics, and antibodies (e.g., human, humanized, chimeric,
monoclonal, polyclonal, Fvs, ScFvs, Fab or F(ab).sub.2 fragments or
epitope binding fragments), nucleic acid molecules (e.g., antisense
nucleic acid molecules and triple helices), small molecules,
organic compounds, and inorganic compounds. In particular,
immunomodulatory agents include, but are not limited to,
methotrexate, leflunomide, cyclophosphamide, cytoxan, Immuran,
cyclosporine A, minocycline, azathioprine, antibiotics (e.g., FK506
(tacrolimus)), methylprednisolone (MP), corticosteroids, steroids,
mycophenolate mofetil, rapamycin (sirolimus), mizoribine,
deoxyspergualin, brequinar, malononitriloamindes (e.g.,
leflunamide), T cell receptor modulators, cytokine receptor
modulators, and modulators mast cell modulators.
[0251] For clarification regarding T cell receptor modulators,
cytokine receptor modulators, and mast cell modulators see Section
3.1. Examples of T cell receptor modulators include, but are not
limited to, anti-T cell receptor antibodies (e.g., anti-CD4
antibodies (e.g., cM-T412 (Boeringer), IDEC-CE9.1.RTM. (IDEC and
SKB), mAB 4162W94, Orthoclone and OKTcdr4a (Janssen-Cilag)),
anti-CD3 antibodies (e.g., Nuvion (Product Design Labs), OKT3
(Johnson & Johnson), or Rituxan (IDEC)), anti-CD5 antibodies
(e.g., an anti-CD5 ricin-linked immunoconjugate), anti-CD7
antibodies (e.g., CHH-380 (Novartis)), anti-CD8 antibodies,
anti-CD40 ligand monoclonal antibodies (e.g., IDEC-131 (IDEC)),
anti-CD52 antibodies (e.g., CAMPATH 1H (Ilex)), anti-CD2 antibodies
(e.g., siplizumab (MedImmune, Inc., International Publication Nos.
WO 02/098370 and WO 02/069904)), anti-CD11a antibodies (e.g.,
Xanelim (Genentech)), and anti-B7 antibodies (e.g., IDEC-114)
(IDEC))), CTLA4-immunoglobulin, and LFA-3TIP (Biogen, International
Publication No. WO 93/08656 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,162,432).
[0252] Examples of cytokine receptor modulators include, but are
not limited to, soluble cytokine receptors (e.g., the extracellular
domain of a TNF-.alpha. receptor or a fragment thereof, the
extracellular domain of an IL-11 receptor or a fragment thereof,
and the extracellular domain of an IL-6 receptor or a fragment
thereof), cytokines or fragments thereof (e.g., interleukin IL-2,
IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-9, IL-10, IL-11, IL-12,
IL-13, IL-15, IL-23, TNF-.alpha., TNF-.beta., interferon
(FN)-.alpha., IFN-.beta., IFN-.gamma., and GM-CSF), anti-cytokine
receptor antibodies (e.g., anti-IFN receptor antibodies, anti-IL-2
receptor antibodies (e.g., Zenapax (Protein Design Labs)),
anti-IL-3 receptor antibodies, anti-IL-4 receptor antibodies,
anti-IL-6 receptor antibodies, anti-IL-10 receptor antibodies,
anti-IL-12 receptor antibodies, anti-IL-13 receptor antibodies,
anti-IL-15 receptor antibodies, and anti-IL-23 receptor
antibodies), anti-cytokine antibodies (e.g., anti-IFN antibodies,
anti-TNF-.alpha. antibodies, anti-IL-1.beta. antibodies, anti-IL-3
antibodies, anti-IL-6 antibodies, anti-IL-8 antibodies (e.g.,
ABX-IL-8 (Abgenix)), anti-IL-12 antibodies, anti-IL-13 antibodies,
anti-IL-15 antibodies, and anti-L-23 antibodies).
[0253] In a specific embodiment, a cytokine receptor modulator is
IL-3, IL-4, IL-10, or a fragment thereof. In another embodiment, a
cytokine receptor modulator is an anti-IL-1, antibody, anti-IL-6
antibody, anti-IL-12 receptor antibody, or anti-TNF-.alpha.
antibody. In another embodiment, a cytokine receptor modulator is
the extracellular domain of a TNF-.alpha. receptor or a fragment
thereof. In certain embodiments, a cytokine receptor modulator is
not a TNF-.alpha. antagonist.
[0254] In one embodiment, a cytokine receptor modulator is a mast
cell modulator. In an alternative embodiment, a cytokine receptor
modulator is not a mast cell modulator. Examples of mast cell
modulators include, but are not limited to stem cell factor (c-kit
receptor ligand) inhibitors (e.g., mAb 7H6, mAb 8H7a, pAb 1337,
FK506, CsA, dexamthasone, and fluconcinonide), c-kit receptor
inhibitors (e.g., STI 571 (formerly known as CGP 57148B)), mast
cell protease inhibitors (e.g., GW-45, GW-58, wortmannin, LY
294002, calphostin C, cytochalasin D, genistein, KT5926,
staurosproine, and lactoferrin), relaxin ("RLX"), IgE antagonists
(e.g., antibodies rhuMAb-E25 omalizumab, HMK-12 and 6HD5, and mAB
Hu-901), IL-3 antagonists, IL-4 antagonists, IL-10 antagonists, and
TGF-beta.
[0255] An immunomodulatory agent may be selected to interfere with
the interactions between the T helper subsets (TH1 or TH2) and B
cells to inhibit neutralizing antibody formation. Antibodies that
interfere with or block the interactions necessary for the
activation of B cells by TH (T helper) cells, and thus block the
production of neutralizing antibodies, are useful as
immunomodulatory agents in the methods of the invention. For
example, B cell activation by T cells requires certain interactions
to occur (Durie et al., Immunol. Today, 15(9):406-410 (1994)), such
as the binding of CD40 ligand on the T helper cell to the CD40
antigen on the B cell, and the binding of the CD28 and/or CTLA4
ligands on the T cell to the B7 antigen on the B cell. Without both
interactions, the B cell cannot be activated to induce production
of the neutralizing antibody.
[0256] The CD40 ligand (CD40L)-CD40 interaction is a desirable
point to block the immune response because of its broad activity in
both T helper cell activation and function as well as the absence
of redundancy in its signaling pathway. Thus, in a specific
embodiment of the invention, the interaction of CD40L with CD40 is
transiently blocked at the time of administration of one or more of
the immunomodulatory agents. This can be accomplished by treating
with an agent which blocks the CD40 ligand on the TH cell and
interferes with the normal binding of CD40 ligand on the T helper
cell with the CD40 antigen on the B cell. An antibody to CD40
ligand (anti-CD40L) (available from Bristol-Myers Squibb Co; see,
e.g., European patent application 555,880, published Aug. 18, 1993)
or a soluble CD40 molecule can be selected and used as an
immunomodulatory agent in accordance with the methods of the
invention.
[0257] An immunomodulatory agent may be selected to inhibit the
interaction between TH1 cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes ("CTLs")
to reduce the occurrence of CTL-mediated killing. An
immunomodulatory agent may be selected to alter (e.g., inhibit or
suppress) the proliferation, differentiation, activity and/or
function of the CD4+ and/or CD8.sup.+ T cells. For example,
antibodies specific for T cells can be used as immunomodulatory
agents to deplete, or alter the proliferation, differentiation,
activity and/or function of CD4.sup.+ and/or CD8.sup.+ T cells. In
one embodiment of the invention, an immunomodulatory agent that
reduces or depletes T cells, preferably memory T cells, is
administered to a subject at risk of or with a disease or disorder
associated with or characterized by aberrant expression and/or
activity of an IL-9 polypeptide, a disease or disorder associated
with or characterized by aberrant expression of an IL-9R or one or
more subunits thereof, an autoimmune disease, an inflammatory
disease, a proliferative disease, or an infection (preferably, a
respiratory infection) in accordance with the methods of the
invention. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,658,019. In another
embodiment of the invention, an immunomodulatory agent that
inactivates CD8.sup.+ T cells is administered to a subject at risk
of or with a disease or disorder associated with or characterized
by aberrant expression and/or activity of an IL-9 polypeptide, a
disease or disorder associated with or characterized by aberrant
expression of an IL-9R or one or more subunits thereof, an
autoimmune disease, an inflammatory disease, a proliferative
disease, or an infection (preferably, a respiratory infection) in
accordance with the methods of the invention. In a specific
embodiment, anti-CD8 antibodies are used to reduce or deplete
CD8.sup.+ T cells.
[0258] In another embodiment, an immunomodulatory agent which
reduces or inhibits one or more biological activities (e.g., the
differentiation, proliferation, and/or effector functions) of TH0,
TH1, and/or TH2 subsets of CD4.sup.+ T helper cells is administered
to a subject at risk of or with a disease or disorder associated
with or characterized by aberrant expression and/or activity of an
IL-9 polypeptide, a disease or disorder associated with or
characterized by aberrant expression of an IL-9R or one or more
subunits thereof, an autoimmune disease, an inflammatory disease, a
proliferative disease, or an infection (preferably, a respiratory
infection) in accordance with the methods of the invention. One
example of such an immunomodulatory agent is IL-4. IL-4 enhances
antigen-specific activity of TH2 cells at the expense of the TH1
cell function (see, e.g., Yokota et al, 1986 Proc. Natl. Acad.
Sci., USA, 83:5894-5898; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,017,691). Other
examples of immunomodulatory agents that affect the biological
activity (e.g., proliferation, differentiation, and/or effector
functions) of T-helper cells (in particular, TH1 and/or TH2 cells)
include, but are not limited to, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10,
IL-12, IL-13, IL-15, IL-23, and interferon (IFN)-.gamma..
[0259] In another embodiment, an immunomodulatory agent
administered to a subject at risk of or with a disease or disorder
associated with or characterized by aberrant expression and/or
activity of an IL-9 polypeptide, a disease or disorder associated
with or characterized by aberrant expression of an IL-9R or one or
more subunits thereof, an autoimmune disease, an inflammatory
disease, a proliferative disease, or an infection (preferably, a
respiratory infection) in accordance with the methods of the
invention is a cytokine that prevents antigen presentation. In a
specific embodiment, an immunomodulatory agent used in the methods
of the invention is IL-10. IL-10 also reduces or inhibits
macrophage action which involves bacterial elimination.
[0260] An immunomodulatory agent may be selected to reduce or
inhibit the activation, degranulation, proliferation, and/or
infiltration of mast cells. In certain embodiments, the
immunomodulatory agent interferes with the interactions between
mast cells and mast cell activating agents, including, but not
limited to stem cell factors (c-kit ligands), IgE, IL-4,
environmental irritants, and infectious agents. In a specific
embodiment, the immunomodulatory agent reduces or inhibits the
response of mast cells to environmental irritants such as, but not
limited to pollen, dust mites, tobacco smoke, and/or pet dander. In
another specific embodiment, the immunomodulatory agent reduces or
inhibits the response of mast cells to infectious agents, such as
viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Examples of mast cell modulators that
reduce or inhibit the activation, degranulation, proliferation,
and/or infiltration of mast cells include, but are not limited to,
stem cell factor (c-kit receptor ligand) inhibitors (e.g., mAb 7H6,
mAb 8H7a, and pAb 1337 (see Mendiaz et al., 1996, Eur J Biochem
293(3):842-849), FK506 and CsA (Ito et al., 1999 Arch Dermatol Res
291(5):275-283), dexamthasone and fluconcinonide (see Finooto et
al. J Clin Invest 1997 99(7):1721-1728)), c-kit receptor inhibitors
(e.g., STI 571 (formerly known as CGP 57148B) (see Heinrich et al.,
2000 Blood 96(3):925-932)), mast cell protease inhibitors (e.g.,
GW-45 and GW-58 (see see Temkin et al., 2002 J Immunol
169(5):2662-2669), wortmannin, LY 294002, calphostin C, and
cytochalasin D (see Vosseller et al., 1997, Mol Biol Cell
1997:909-922), genistein, KT5926, and staurosproine (see Nagai et
al. 1995, Biochem Biophys Res Commun 208(2):576-581), and
lactoferrin (see He et al., 2003 Biochem Pharmacol
65(6):1007-1015)), relaxin ("RLX") (see Bani et al., 2002 Int
Immunopharmacol 2(8):1195-1294), IgE antagonists (e.g., antibodies
rhuMAb-E25 omalizumab (see Finn et al., 2003 J Allergy Clin Immuno
111(2):278-284; Corren et al., 2003 J Allergy Clin Immuno
111(1):87-90; Busse and Neaville, 2001 Curr Opin Allergy Clin
Immuno 1(1): 105-108; and Tang and Powell, 2001, Eur J Pediatr
160(12): 696-704), HMK-12 and 6HD5 (see Miyajima et al., 2202 Int
Arch Allergy Immuno 128(1):24-32), and mAB Hu-901 (see van Neerven
et al., 2001 Int Arch Allergy Immuno 124(1-3):400), IL-3
antagonist, IL-4 antagonists, IL-10 antagonists, and TGF-beta (see
Metcalfe et al., 1995, Exp Dermatol 4(4 Pt 2):227-230).
[0261] In a preferred embodiment, proteins, polypeptides or
peptides (including antibodies) that are utilized as
immunomodulatory agents are derived from the same species as the
recipient of the proteins, polypeptides or peptides so as to reduce
the likelihood of an immune response to those proteins,
polypeptides or peptides. In another preferred embodiment, when the
subject is a human, the proteins, polypeptides, or peptides that
are utilized as immunomodulatory agents are human or humanized.
[0262] In accordance with the invention, one or more
immunomodulatory agents are administered to a subject at risk of or
with a disease or disorder associated with or characterized by
aberrant expression and/or activity of an IL-9 polypeptide, a
disease or disorder associated with or characterized by aberrant
expression of an IL-9R or one or more subunits thereof, an
autoimmune disease, an inflammatory disease, a proliferative
disease, or an infection (preferably, a respiratory infection)
prior to, subsequent to, or concomitantly with an antibody that
immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide. Preferably, one or
more immunomodulatory agents are administered in combination with
an antibody that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide to
a subject at risk of or with a disease or disorder associated with
or characterized by aberrant expression and/or activity of an IL-9
polypeptide, a disease or disorder associated with or characterized
by aberrant expression of an EL-9R or one or more subunits thereof,
an autoimmune disease, an inflammatory disease, a proliferative
disease, or an infection (preferably, a respiratory infection) to
reduce or inhibit one or more aspects of the immune response as
deemed necessary by one of skill in the art. Any technique
well-known to one skilled in the art can be used to measure one or
more aspects of the immune response in a particular subject, and
thereby determine when it is necessary to administer an
immunomodulatory agent to said subject. In a preferred embodiment,
a mean absolute lymphocyte count of approximately 500
cells/mm.sup.3, preferably 600 cells/mm.sup.3, 650 cells/mm.sup.3,
700 cells/mm.sup.3, 750 cells/mm.sup.3, 800 cells/mm.sup.3, 900
cells/mm.sup.3, 1000 cells/mm.sup.3, 1100 cells/mm.sup.3, or 1200
cells/mm.sup.3 is maintained in a subject. In another preferred
embodiment, a subject at risk of or with a disease or disorder
associated with or characterized by aberrant expression and/or
activity of an IL-9 polypeptide, a disease or disorder associated
with or characterized by aberrant expression of an IL-9R or one or
more subunits thereof, an autoimmune disease, an inflammatory
disease, a proliferative disease, or an infection (preferably, a
respiratory infection) is not administered an immunomodulatory
agent if their absolute lymphocyte count is 500 cells/mm.sup.3 or
less, 550 cells/mm.sup.3 or less, 600 cells/mm.sup.3 or less, 650
cells/mm.sup.3 or less, 700 cells/mm.sup.3 or less, 750
cells/mm.sup.3 or less, or 800 cells/mm.sup.3 or less.
[0263] In a preferred embodiment, one or more immunomodulatory
agents are administered in combination with an antibody that
immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide to a subject at
risk of or with a disease or disorder associated with or
characterized by aberrant expression and/or activity of an IL-9
polypeptide, a disease or disorder associated with or characterized
by aberrant expression of an IL-9R or one or more subunits thereof,
an autoimmune disease, an inflammatory disease, a proliferative
disease, or an infection (preferably, a respiratory infection) so
as to transiently reduce or inhibit one or more aspects of the
immune response. Such a transient inhibition or reduction of one or
more aspects of the immune system can last for hours, days, weeks,
or months. Preferably, the transient inhibition or reduction in one
or more aspects of the immune response lasts for a few hours (e.g.,
2 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours, 8 hours, 12 hours, 14 hours, 16 hours,
18 hours, 24 hours, 36 hours, or 48 hours), a few days (e.g., 3
days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, 7 days, or 14 days), or a few weeks
(e.g., 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 5 weeks or 6 weeks). The transient
reduction or inhibition of one or more aspects of the immune
response enhances the prophylactic and/or therapeutic effect(s) of
an antibody that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9
polypeptide.
[0264] Nucleic acid molecules encoding proteins, polypeptides, or
peptides with immunomodulatory activity or proteins, polypeptides,
or peptides with immunomodulatory activity can be administered to a
subject at risk of or with a disease or disorder associated with or
characterized by aberrant expression and/or activity of an IL-9
polypeptide, a disease or disorder associated with or characterized
by aberrant expression of an WL-9R or one or more subunits thereof,
an autoimmune disease, an inflammatory disease, a proliferative
disease, or an infection (preferably, a respiratory infection) in
accordance with the methods of the invention. Further, nucleic acid
molecules encoding derivatives, analogs, or fragments of proteins,
polypeptides, or peptides with immunomodulatory activity, or
derivatives, analogs, or fragments of proteins, polypeptides, or
peptides with immunomodulatory activity can be administered to a
subject at risk of or with a disease or disorder associated with or
characterized by aberrant expression and/or activity of an IL-9
polypeptide, a disease or disorder associated with or characterized
by aberrant expression of an IL-9R or one or more subunits thereof,
an autoimmune disease, an inflammatory disease, a proliferative
disease, or an infection (preferably, a respiratory infection) in
accordance with the methods of the invention. Preferably, such
derivatives, analogs, and fragments retain the immunomodulatory
activity of the full-length, wild-type protein, polypeptide, or
peptide.
[0265] Preferably, agents that are commercially available and known
to function as immunomodulatory agents are used in the methods of
the invention. The immunomodulatory activity of an agent can be
determined in vitro and/or in vivo by any technique well-known to
one skilled in the art, including, e.g., by CTL assays,
proliferation assays, and immunoassays (e.g. ELISAs) for the
expression of particular proteins such as co-stimulatory molecules
and cytokines.
[0266] 5.2.2 Anti-Angiogenic Therapies
[0267] Any anti-angiogenic agent well-known to one of skill in the
art can be used in the compositions and methods of the invention.
Non-limiting examples of anti-angiogenic agents include proteins,
polypeptides, peptides, fusion proteins, antibodies (e.g., human,
humanized, chimeric, monoclonal, polyclonal, Fvs, ScFvs, Fab
fragments, F(ab).sub.2 fragments, and antigen-binding fragments
thereof) such as antibodies that immunospecifically bind to
TNF-.alpha., nucleic acid molecules (e.g., antisense molecules or
triple helices), organic molecules, inorganic molecules, and small
molecules that reduce or inhibit angiogenesis. In particular,
examples of anti-angiogenic agents, include, but are not limited
to, endostatin, angiostatin, apomigren, anti-angiogenic
antithrombin III, the 29 kDa N-terminal and a 40 kDa C-terminal
proteolytic fragments of fibronectin, a uPA receptor antagonist,
the 16 kDa proteolytic fragment of prolactin, the 7.8 kDa
proteolytic fragment of platelet factor-4, the anti-angiogenic 24
amino acid fragment of platelet factor-4, the anti-angiogenic
factor designated 13.40, the anti-angiogenic 22 amino acid peptide
fragment of thrombospondin I, the anti-angiogenic 20 amino acid
peptide fragment of SPARC, RGD and NGR containing peptides, the
small anti-angiogenic peptides of laminin, fibronectin, procollagen
and EGF, integrin .alpha..sub.v.beta.3 antagonists, acid fibroblast
growth factor (aFGF) antagonists, basic fibroblast growth factor
(bFGF) antagonists, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
antagonists (e.g., anti-VEGF antibodies), and VEGF receptor (VEGFR)
antagonists (e.g., anti-VEGFR antibodies).
[0268] Examples of integrin .alpha..sub.v.beta..sub.3 antagonists
include, but are not limited to, proteinaceous agents such as
non-catalytic metalloproteinase fragments, RGD peptides, peptide
mimetics, fusion proteins, disintegrins or derivatives or analogs
thereof, and antibodies that immunospecifically bind to integrin
.alpha..sub.v.beta..sub.3, nucleic acid molecules, organic
molecules, and inorganic molecules. Non-limiting examples of
antibodies that immunospecifically bind to integrin
.alpha..sub.v.beta..sub.3 include 11D2 (Searle), LM609 (Scripps),
and VITAXIN.TM. (MedImmune, Inc.). Non-limiting examples of small
molecule peptidometric integrin .alpha..sub.v.beta..sub.3
antagonists include S836 (Searle) and S448 (Searle). Examples of
disintegrins include, but are not limited to, Accutin. The
invention also encompasses the use of any of the integrin
.alpha..sub.v.beta..sub.3 antagonists disclosed in the following
U.S. patents and International publications in the compositions and
methods of the invention: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,149,780; 5,196,511;
5,204,445; 5,262,520; 5,306,620; 5,478,725; 5,498,694; 5,523,209;
5,578,704; 5,589,570; 5,652,109; 5,652,110; 5,693,612; 5,705,481;
5,753,230; 5,767,071; 5,770,565; 5,780,426; 5,817,457; 5,830,678;
5,849,692; 5,955,572; 5,985,278; 6,048,861; 6,090,944; 6,096,707;
6,130,231; 6,153,628; 6,160,099; and 6,171,588; and International
Publication Nos. WO 95/22543; WO 98/33919; WO 00/78815; and WO
02/070007, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety. In a preferred embodiment, the anti-angiogenic agent is
VITAXIN.TM. (MedImmune, Inc.) or an antigen-binding fragment
thereof.
[0269] In a specific embodiment of the invention, an
anti-angiogenic agent is endostatin. Naturally occurring endostatin
consists of the C-terminal .about.180 amino acids of collagen XVIII
(cDNAs encoding two splice forms of collagen XVIII have GenBank
Accession Nos. AF18081 and AF18082). In another embodiment of the
invention, an anti-angiogenic agent is a plasminogen fragment (the
coding sequence for plasminogen can be found in GenBank Accession
Nos. NM.sub.--000301 and A33096). Angiostatin peptides naturally
include the four kringle domains of plasminogen, kringle 1 through
kringle 4. It has been demonstrated that recombinant kringle 1, 2
and 3 possess the anti-angiogenic properties of the native peptide,
whereas kringle 4 has no such activity (Cao et al., 1996, J. Biol.
Chem. 271:29461-29467). Accordingly, the angiostatin peptides
comprises at least one and preferably more than one kringle domain
selected from the group consisting of kringle 1, kringle 2 and
kringle 3. In a specific embodiment, the anti-angiogenic peptide is
the 40 kDa isoform of the human angiostatin molecule, the 42 kDa
isoform of the human angiostatin molecule, the 45 kDa isoform of
the human angiostatin molecule, or a combination thereof. In
another embodiment, an anti-angiogenic agent is the kringle 5
domain of plasminogen, which is a more potent inhibitor of
angiogenesis than angiostatin (angiostatin comprises kringle
domains 1-4). In another embodiment of the invention, an
anti-angiogenic agent is antithrombin III. Antithrombin III, which
is referred to hereinafter as antithrombin, comprises a heparin
binding domain that tethers the protein to the vasculature walls,
and an active site loop which interacts with thrombin. When
antithrombin is tethered to heparin, the protein elicits a
conformational change that allows the active loop to interact with
thrombin, resulting in the proteolytic cleavage of said loop by
thrombin. The proteolytic cleavage event results in another change
of conformation of antithrombin, which (i) alters the interaction
interface between thrombin and antithrombin and (ii) releases the
complex from heparin (Carrell, 1999, Science 285:1861-1862, and
references therein). O'Reilly et al. (1999, Science 285:1926-1928)
have discovered that the cleaved antithrombin has potent
anti-angiogenic activity. Accordingly, in one embodiment, an
anti-angiogenic agent is the anti-angiogenic form of antithrombin.
In another embodiment of the invention, an anti-angiogenic agent is
the 40 kDa and/or 29 kDa proteolytic fragment of fibronectin.
[0270] In another embodiment of the invention, an anti-angiogenic
agent is a urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) receptor
antagonist. In one mode of the embodiment, the antagonist is a
dominant negative mutant of uPA (see, e.g., Crowley et al., 1993,
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:5021-5025). In another mode of the
embodiment, the antagonist is a peptide antagonist or a fusion
protein thereof (Goodson et al., 1994, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA
91:7129-7133). In yet another mode of the embodiment, the
antagonist is a dominant negative soluble uPA receptor (Min et al.,
1996, Cancer Res. 56:2428-2433). In another embodiment of the
invention, a therapeutic molecule of the invention is the 16 kDa
N-terminal fragment of prolactin, comprising approximately 120
amino acids, or a biologically active fragment thereof (the coding
sequence for prolactin can be found in GenBank Accession No.
NM.sub.--000948). In another embodiment of the invention, an
anti-angiogenic agent is the 7.8 kDa platelet factor-4 fragment. In
another embodiment of the invention, a therapeutic molecule of the
invention is a small peptide corresponding to the anti-angiogenic
13 amino acid fragment of platelet factor-4, the anti-angiogenic
factor designated 13.40, the anti-angiogenic 22 amino acid peptide
fragment of thrombospondin I, the anti-angiogenic 20 amino acid
peptide fragment of SPARC, the small anti-angiogenic peptides of
laminin, fibronectin, procollagen, or EGF, or small peptide
antagonists of integrin .alpha..sub.v.beta..sub.3 or the VEGF
receptor. In another embodiment, the small peptide comprises an RGD
or NGR motif. In certain embodiments, an anti-angiogenic agent is a
TNF-.alpha. antagonist. In other embodiments, an anti-angiogenic
agent is not a TNF-.alpha. antagonist.
[0271] Nucleic acid molecules encoding proteins, polypeptides, or
peptides with anti-angiogenic activity, or proteins, polypeptides
or peptides with anti-angiogenic activity can be administered to a
subject at risk of or with a disease or disorder characterized by
aberrant expression and/or activity of an IL-9 polypeptide, a
disease or disorder characterized by aberrant expression and/or
activity of an IL-9R or one or more subunits thereof, an
inflammatory disorder, an autoimmune disorder, a proliferative
disorder, or an infection in accordance with the methods of the
invention. Further, nucleic acid molecules encoding derivatives,
analogs, fragments, or variants of proteins, polypeptides, or
peptides with anti-angiogenic activity, or derivatives, analogs,
fragments, or variants of proteins, polypeptides, or peptides with
anti-angiogenic activity can be administered to a subject at risk
of or with a disease or disorder characterized by aberrant
expression and/or activity of an IL-9 polypeptide, a disease or
disorder characterized by aberrant expression and/or activity of an
IL-9R or one or more subunits thereof, an inflammatory disorder, an
autoimmune disorder, a proliferative disorder, or an infection in
accordance with the methods of the invention. Preferably, such
derivatives, analogs, variants, and fragments retain the
anti-angiogenic activity of the full-length, wild-type protein,
polypeptide, or peptide.
[0272] Proteins, polypeptides, or peptides that can be used as
anti-angiogenic agents can be produced by any technique well-known
in the art or described herein. Proteins, polypeptides or peptides
with anti-angiogenic activity can be engineered so as to increase
the in vivo half-life of such proteins, polypeptides, or peptides
utilizing techniques well-known in the art or described herein.
Preferably, anti-angiogenic agents that are commercially available
are used in the compositions and methods of the invention. The
anti-angiogenic activity of an agent can be determined in vitro
and/or in vivo by any technique well-known to one skilled in the
art.
[0273] 5.2.3 TNF-.alpha. Antagonists
[0274] Any TNF-.alpha. antagonist well-known to one of skill in the
art can be used in the compositions and methods of the invention.
Non-limiting examples of TNF-.alpha. antagonists include proteins,
polypeptides, peptides, fusion proteins, antibodies (e.g., human,
humanized, chimeric, monoclonal, polyclonal, Fvs, ScFvs, Fab
fragments, F(ab).sub.2 fragments, and antigen-binding fragments
thereof) such as antibodies that immunospecifically bind to
TNF-.alpha., nucleic acid molecules (e.g., antisense molecules or
triple helices), organic molecules, inorganic molecules, and small
molecules that blocks, reduces, inhibits or neutralizes a function,
an activity and/or expression of TNF-.alpha.. In various
embodiments, a TNF-.alpha. antagonist reduces the function,
activity and/or expression of TNF-.alpha. by at least 10%, at least
15%, at least 20%, at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at
least 40%, at least 45%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%,
at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least
85%, at least 90%, at least 95% or at least 99% relative to a
control such as phosphate buffered saline (PBS).
[0275] Examples of antibodies that immunospecifically bind to
TNF-.alpha. include, but are not limited to, infliximab
(REMICADE.RTM.; Centacor), D2E7 (Abbott Laboratories/Knoll
Pharmaceuticals Co., Mt. Olive, N.J.), CDP571 which is also known
as HUMICADE.TM. and CDP-870 (both of Celltech/Pharmacia, Slough,
U.K.), and TN.sup.3-19.12 (Williams et al., 1994, Proc. Natl. Acad.
Sci. USA 91: 2762-2766; Thorbecke et al., 1992, Proc. Natl. Acad.
Sci. USA 89:7375-7379). The present invention also encompasses the
use of antibodies that immunospecifically bind to TNF-.alpha.
disclosed in the following U.S. patents in the compositions and
methods of the invention: 5,136,021; 5,147,638; 5,223,395;
5,231,024; 5,334,380; 5,360,716; 5,426,181; 5,436,154; 5,610,279;
5,644,034; 5,656,272; 5,658,746; 5,698,195; 5,736,138; 5,741,488;
5,808,029; 5,919,452; 5,958,412; 5,959,087; 5,968,741; 5,994,510;
6,036,978; 6,114,517; and 6,171,787; each of which are herein
incorporated by reference in their entirety. Examples of soluble
TNF-.alpha. receptors include, but are not limited to, sTNF-R1
(Amgen), etanercept (ENBREL.TM.; Immunex) and its rat homolog
RENBREL.TM., soluble inhibitors of TNF-.alpha. derived from TNFrI,
TNFrII (Kohno et al., 1990, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA
87:8331-8335), and TNF-.alpha. Inh (Seckinger et al, 1990, Proc.
Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87:5188-5192).
[0276] In one embodiment, a TNF-.alpha. antagonist used in the
compositions and methods of the invention is a soluble TNF-.alpha.
receptor. In a specific embodiment, a TNF-.alpha. antagonist used
in the compositions and methods of the invention is etanercept
(ENBREL.TM.; Immunex) or a fragment, derivative or analog thereof.
In another embodiment, a TNF-.alpha. antagonist used in the
compositions and methods of the invention is an antibody that
immunospecifically binds to TNF-.alpha.. In a specific embodiment,
a TNF-.alpha. antagonist used in the compositions and methods of
the invention is infliximab (REMICADE.RTM.; Centacor) a derivative,
analog or antigen-binding fragment thereof.
[0277] Other TNF-.alpha. antagonists encompassed by the invention
include, but are not limited to, IL-10, which is known to block
TNF-.alpha. production via interferon .gamma.-activated macrophages
(Oswald et al. 1992, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:8676-8680),
TNFR-IgG (Ashkenazi et al., 1991, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA
88:10535-10539), the murine product TBP-1 (Serono/Yeda), the
vaccine CytoTAb (Protherics), antisense molecule 104838 (ISIS), the
peptide RDP-58 (SangStat), thalidomide (Celgene), CDC-801
(Celgene), DPC-333 (Dupont), VX-745 (Vertex), AGIX-4207
(AtheroGenics), ITF-2357 (Italfarmaco), NPI-13021-31 (Nereus),
SCIO-469 (Scios), TACE targeter (Immunix/AHP), CLX-120500 (Calyx),
Thiazolopyrim (Dynavax), auranofin (Ridaura) (SmithKline Beecham
Pharmaceuticals), quinacrine (mepacrine dichlorohydrate), tenidap
(Enablex), Melanin (Large Scale Biological), and anti-p38 MAPK
agents by Uriach.
[0278] Nucleic acid molecules encoding proteins, polypeptides, or
peptides with TNF-.alpha. antagonist activity, or proteins,
polypeptides, or peptides with TNF-.alpha. antagonist activity can
be administered to a subject at risk of or with an inflammatory or
autoimmune disease in accordance with the methods of the invention.
Further, nucleic acid molecules encoding derivatives, analogs,
fragments or variants of proteins, polypeptides, or peptides with
TNF-.alpha. antagonist activity, or derivatives, analogs, fragments
or variants of proteins, polypeptides, or peptides with TNF-.alpha.
antagonist activity can be administered to a subject at risk of or
with an inflammatory or autoimmune disease in accordance with the
methods of the invention. Preferably, such derivatives, analogs,
variants and fragments retain the TNF-.alpha. antagonist activity
of the full-length, wild-type protein, polypeptide, or peptide.
[0279] Proteins, polypeptides, or peptides that can be used as
TNF-.alpha. antagonists can be produced by any technique well-known
in the art or described herein. Proteins, polypeptides or peptides
with TNF-.alpha. antagonist activity can be engineered so as to
increase the in vivo half-life of such proteins, polypeptides, or
peptides utilizing techniques well-known in the art or described
herein. Preferably, agents that are commercially available and
known to function as TNF-.alpha. antagonists are used in the
compositions and methods of the invention. The TNF-.alpha.
antagonist activity of an agent can be determined in vitro and/or
in vivo by any technique well-known to one skilled in the art.
[0280] 5.2.4 Anti-Inflammatory Therapies
[0281] Any anti-inflammatory agent, including agents useful in
therapies for inflammatory disorders, well-known to one of skill in
the art can be used in the compositions and methods of the
invention. Non-limiting examples of anti-inflammatory agents
include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs, anticholinergics (e.g., atropine sulfate,
atropine methylnitrate, and ipratropium bromide (ATROVENT.TM.)),
beta2-agonists (e.g., abuterol (VENTOLIN.TM. and PROVENTL.TM.),
bitolterol (TORNALATE.TM.), levalbuterol (XOPONEX.TM.),
metaproterenol (ALUPENT.TM.), pirbuterol (MAXAIR.TM.), terbutlaine
(BRETHAIRE.TM. and BRETHNE.TM.), albuterol (PROVENTIL.TM.,
REPETABS.TM., and VOLMAX.TM.), formoterol (FORADIL AEROLIZER.TM.),
and salmeterol (SEREVENT.TM. and SEREVENT DISKUS.TM.)), and
methylxanthines (e.g., theophylline (UNIPHYL.TM., THEO-DUR.TM.,
SLO-BID.TM., AND TEHO-42.TM.)). Examples of NSAIDs include, but are
not limited to, aspirin, ibuprofen, celecoxib (CELEBREX.TM.),
diclofenac (VOLTAREN.TM.), etodolac (LODINE.TM.), fenoprofen
(NALFON.TM.), indomethacin (INDOCIN.TM.), ketoralac (TORADOL.TM.),
oxaprozin (DAYPRO.TM.), nabumentone (RELAFEN.TM.), sulindac
(CLINORIL.TM.), tolmentin (TOLECTIN.TM.), rofecoxib (VIOXX.TM.),
naproxen (ALEVE.TM., NAPROSYN.TM.), ketoprofen (ACTRON.TM.) and
nabumetone (RELAFEN.TM.). Such NSAIDs function by inhibiting a
cyclooxygenase enzyme (e.g., COX-1 and/or COX-2). Examples of
steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs include, but are not limited to,
glucocorticoids, dexamethasone (DECADRON.TM.), corticosteroids
(e.g., methylprednisolone (MEDROL.TM.)), cortisone, hydrocortisone,
prednisone (PREDNISONE.TM. and DELTASONE.TM.), prednisolone
(PRELONE.TM. and PEDIAPRED.TM.), triamcinolone, azulfidine, and
inhibitors of eicosanoids (e.g., prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and
leukotrienes (see Table 2, infra, for non-limiting examples of
leukotriene and typical dosages of such agents)).
[0282] In certain embodiments, the anti-inflammatory agent is an
agent useful in the prevention, management, treatment, and/or
amelioration of asthma or one or more symptoms thereof.
Non-limiting examples of such agents include adrenergic stimulants
(e.g., catecholamines (e.g., epinephrine, isoproterenol, and
isoetharine), resorcinols (e.g., metaproterenol, terbutaline, and
fenoterol), and saligenins (e.g., salbutamol)), adrenocorticoids,
blucocorticoids, corticosteroids (e.g., beclomethadonse,
budesonide, flunisolide, fluticasone, triamcinolone,
methylprednisolone, prednisolone, and prednisone), other steroids,
beta2-agonists (e.g., albtuerol, bitolterol, fenoterol,
isoetharine, metaproterenol, pirbuterol, salbutamol, terbutaline,
formoterol, salmeterol, and albutamol terbutaline),
anti-cholinergics (e.g., ipratropium bromide and oxitropium
bromide), IL-4 antagonists (including antibodies), IL-5 antagonists
(including antibodies), IL-13 antagonists (including antibodies),
PDE4-inhibitor, NF-Kappa-.beta. inhibitor, VLA-4 inhibitor, CpG,
anti-CD23, selectin antagonists (TBC 1269), mast cell protease
inhibitors (e.g., tryptase kinase inhibitors (e.g., GW-45, GW-58,
and genisteine), phosphatidylinositide-3' (PI3)-kinase inhibitors
(e.g., calphostin C), and other kinase inhibitors (e.g.,
staurosporine) (see Temkin et al., 2002 J Immunol 169(5):2662-2669;
Vosseller et al., 1997 Mol. Biol. Cell 8(5):909-922; and Nagai et
al., 1995 Biochem Biophys Res Commun 208(2):576-581)), a C3
receptor antagonists (including antibodies), immunosuppressant
agents (e.g., methotrexate and gold salts), mast cell modulators
(e.g., cromolyn sodium (INTAL.TM.) and nedocromil sodium
(TELADE.TM.)), and mucolytic agents (e.g., acetylcysteine)). In a
specific embodiment, the anti-inflammatory agent is a leukotriene
inhibitor (e.g., montelukast (SINGULAIR.TM.), zafirlukast
(ACCOLATE.TM.), pranlukast (ONON.TM.), or zileuton (ZYFLO.TM.) (see
Table 2)).
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Leukotriene Inhibitors for Asthma Therapy
Leukotriene Modifier Usual Daily Dosage Montelukast 4 mg for 2-5
years old (SINGULAIR .TM.) 5 mg for 6 to 15 years old 10 mg for 15
years and older Zafirlukast 10 mg b.i.d. for 5 to 12 years old
twice daily (ACCOLATE .TM.) 20 mg b.i.d. for 12 years or older
twice daily Pranlukast Only avialable in Asia (ONON .TM.) Zyleuton
600 mg four times a day for 12 years and (ZYFLO .TM.) older
[0283] In certain embodiments, the anti-inflammatory agent is an
agent useful in preventing, treating, managing, and/or ameliorating
allergies or one or more symptoms thereof. Non-limiting examples of
such agents include antimmediator drugs (e.g., antihistamine, see
Table 3, infra for non-limiting examples of antihistamine and
typical dosages of such agents), corticosteroids, decongestants,
sympathomimetic drugs (e.g., .alpha.-adrenergic and
.beta.-adrenergic drugs), TNX901 (Leung et al., 2003, N Engl J Med
348(11):986-993), IgE antagonists (e.g., antibodies rhuMAb-E25
omalizumab (see Finn et al., 2003 J Allergy Clin Immuno
111(2):278-284; Corren et al., 2003 J Allergy Clin Immuno 111
(1):87-90; Busse and Neaville, 2001 Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immuno
1(1): 105-108; and Tang and Powell, 2001, Eur J Pediatr 160(12):
696-704), HMK-12 and 6HD5 (see Miyajima et al., 2202 Int Arch
Allergy Immuno 128(1):24-32), and mAB Hu-901 (see van Neerven et
al., 2001 Int Arch Allergy Immuno 124(1-3):400), theophylline and
its derivatives, glucocorticoids, and immunotherapies (e.g.,
repeated long-term injection of allergen, short course
desensitization, and venom immunotherapy).
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 H.sub.1 Antihistamines Chemical class and
representative drugs Usual daily dosage Ethanolamine Diphehydramine
25-50 mg every 4-6 hours Clemastine 0.34-2.68 mg every 12 hours
Ethylenediamine Tripelennamine 25-50 mg every 4-6 hours Alkylamine
Brompheniramine 4 mg every 4-6 hours; or 8-12 mg of SR form every
8-12 hour Chlorpheniramine 4 mg every 4-6 hours; or 8-12 mg of SR
form every 8-12 hour Triprolidine (1.25 mg/5 ml) 2.5 mg every 4-6
hours Phenothiazine Promethazine 25 mg at bedtime Piperazine
Hydroxyzine 25 mg every 6-8 hours Piperidines Astemizole
(nonsedating) 10 mg/day Azatadine 1-2 mg every 12 hours Cetirzine
10 mg/day Cyproheptadine 4 mg every 6-8 hour Fexofenadine
(nonsedating) 60 mg every 12 hours Loratidine (nonsedating) 10 mg
every 24 hours
[0284] Anti-inflammatory therapies and their dosages, routes of
administration, and recommended usage are known in the art and have
been described in such literature as the Physician's Desk Reference
(57th ed., 2003).
[0285] 5.2.5 Anti-Cancer Therapies
[0286] Any therapy (e.g., therapeutic or prophylactic agent) which
is known to be useful, has been used, or is currently being used
for the prevention, treatment, management, or amelioration of a
proliferative disorder, such as cancer, or one or more symptoms
thereof can be used in compositions and method of the invention.
Therapies (e.g., therapeutic or prophylactic agents) include, but
are not limited to, peptides, polypeptides, fusion proteins,
nucleic acid molecules, small molecules, mimetic agents, synthetic
drugs, inorganic molecules, and organic molecules. Non-limiting
examples of cancer therapies include chemotherapies, radiation
therapies, hormonal therapies, and/or biological
therapies/immunotherapies.
[0287] In certain embodiments, the anti-cancer agent is an
immunomodulatory agent, such as a chemotherapeutic agent. In
certain other embodiments, the anti-cancer agent is an
immunomodulatory agent other than a chemotherapeutic agent. In
other embodiments, the anti-cancer agent is not an immunomodulatory
agent. In specific embodiments, the anti-cancer agent is an
anti-angiogenic agent. In other embodiments, the anti-cancer agent
is not an anti-angiogenic agent. In specific embodiments, the
anti-cancer agent is an anti-inflammatory agent. In other
embodiments, the anti-cancer agent is not an anti-inflammatory
agent.
[0288] In particular embodiments, the anti-cancer agent is, but not
limited to: acivicin; aclarubicin; acodazole hydrochloride;
acronine; adozelesin; aldesleukin; altretamine; ambomycin;
ametantrone acetate; aminoglutethimide; amsacrine; anastrozole;
anthramycin; asparaginase; asperlin; azacitidine; azetepa;
azotomycin; batimastat; benzodepa; bicalutamide; bisantrene
hydrochloride; bisnafide dimesylate; bisphosphonates (e.g.,
pamidronate (Aredria), sodium clondronate (Bonefos), zoledronic
acid (Zometa), alendronate (Fosamax), etidronate, ibandornate,
cimadronate, risedromate, and tiludromate); bizelesin; bleomycin
sulfate; brequinar sodium; bropirimine; busulfan; cactinomycin;
calusterone; caracemide; carbetimer; carboplatin; carmustine;
carubicin hydrochloride; carzelesin; cedefingol; chlorambucil;
cirolemycin; cisplatin; cladribine; crisnatol mesylate;
cyclophosphamide; cytarabine; dacarbazine; dactinomycin;
daunorubicin hydrochloride; decitabine; dexormaplatin; dezaguanine;
dezaguanine mesylate; diaziquone; docetaxel; doxorubicin;
doxorubicin hydrochloride; droloxifene; droloxifene citrate;
dromostanolone propionate; duazomycin; edatrexate; eflornithine
hydrochloride; EphA2 inhibitors (e.g., anti-EphA2 antibodies that
result in the phosphorylation of EphA2 and the degration of EphA2
(see, U.S. Patent Application No. 60/418,213 which is incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety); elsamitrucin; enloplatin;
enpromate; epipropidine; epirubicin hydrochloride; erbulozole;
esorubicin hydrochloride; estramustine; estramustine phosphate
sodium; etanidazole; etoposide; etoposide phosphate; etoprine;
fadrozole hydrochloride; fazarabine; fenretinide; floxuridine;
fludarabine phosphate; fluorouracil; fluorocitabine; fosquidone;
fostriecin sodium; gemcitabine; gemcitabine hydrochloride;
hydroxyurea; idarubicin hydrochloride; ifosfamide; ilmofosine;
interleukin II (including recombinant interleukin II, or rIL2),
interferon alpha-2a; interferon alpha-2b; interferon alpha-n1;
interferon alpha-n3; interferon beta-I a; interferon gamma-I b;
iproplatin; irinotecan hydrochloride; lanreotide acetate;
letrozole; leuprolide acetate; liarozole hydrochloride; lometrexol
sodium; lomustine; losoxantrone hydrochloride; masoprocol;
maytansine; mechlorethamine hydrochloride; anti-CD2 antibodies
(e.g., siplizumab (MedImmune Inc.; International Publication No. WO
02/098370, which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety)); megestrol acetate; melengestrol acetate; melphalan;
menogaril; mercaptopurine; methotrexate; methotrexate sodium;
metoprine; meturedepa; mitindomide; mitocarcin; mitocromin;
mitogillin; mitomalcin; mitomycin; mitosper; mitotane; mitoxantrone
hydrochloride; mycophenolic acid; nocodazole; nogalamycin;
ormaplatin; oxisuran; paclitaxel; pegaspargase; peliomycin;
pentamustine; peplomycin sulfate; perfosfamide; pipobroman;
piposulfan; piroxantrone hydrochloride; plicamycin; plomestane;
porfimer sodium; porfiromycin; prednimustine; procarbazine
hydrochloride; puromycin; puromycin hydrochloride; pyrazofurin;
riboprine; rogletimide; safingol; safingol hydrochloride;
semustine; simtrazene; sparfosate sodium; sparsomycin;
spirogermanium hydrochloride; spiromustine; spiroplatin;
streptonigrin; streptozocin; sulofenur; talisomycin; tecogalan
sodium; tegafur; teloxantrone hydrochloride; temoporfin;
teniposide; teroxirone; testolactone; thiamiprine; thioguanine;
thiotepa; tiazofurin; tirapazamine; toremifene citrate; trestolone
acetate; triciribine phosphate; trimetrexate; trimetrexate
glucuronate; triptorelin; tubulozole hydrochloride; uracil mustard;
uredepa; vapreotide; verteporfin; vinblastine sulfate; vincristine
sulfate; vindesine; vindesine sulfate; vinepidine sulfate;
vinglycinate sulfate; vinleurosine sulfate; vinorelbine tartrate;
vinrosidine sulfate; vinzolidine sulfate; vorozole; zeniplatin;
zinostatin; zorubicin hydrochloride.
[0289] Other anti-cancer drugs include, but are not limited to:
20-epi-1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3; 5-ethynyluracil; abiraterone;
aclarubicin; acylfulvene; adecypenol; adozelesin; aldesleukin;
ALL-TK antagonists; altretamine; ambamustine; amidox; amifostine;
aminolevulinic acid; armubicin; amsacrine; anagrelide; anastrozole;
andrographolide; angiogenesis inhibitors; antagonist D; antagonist
G; antarelix; anti-dorsalizing morphogenetic protein-1;
antiandrogen, prostatic carcinoma; antiestrogen; antineoplaston;
antisense oligonucleotides; aphidicolin glycinate; apoptosis gene
modulators; apoptosis regulators; apurinic acid; ara-CDP-DL-PTBA;
argine deaminase; asulacrine; atamestane; atrimustine; axinastatin
1; axinastatin 2; axinastatin 3; azasetron; azatoxin; azatyrosine;
baccatin III derivatives; balanol; batimastat; BCR/ABL antagonists;
benzochlorins; benzoylstaurosporine; beta lactam derivatives;
beta-alethine; betaclamycin B; betulinic acid; bFGF inhibitor;
bicalutamide; bisantrene; bisaziridinylspermine; bisnafide;
bistratene A; bizelesin; breflate; bropirimine; budotitane;
buthionine sulfoximine; calcipotriol; calphostin C; camptothecin
derivatives; canarypox IL-2; capecitabine;
carboxamide-amino-triazole; carboxyamidotriazole; CaRest M3; CARN
700; cartilage derived inhibitor; carzelesin; casein kinase
inhibitors (ICOS); castanospermine; cecropin B; cetrorelix;
chlorlns; chloroquinoxaline sulfonamide; cicaprost; cis-porphyrin;
cladribine; clomifene analogues; clotrimazole; collismycin A;
collismycin B; combretastatin A4; combretastatin analogue;
conagenin; crambescidin 816; crisnatol; cryptophycin 8;
cryptophycin A derivatives; curacin A; cyclopentanthraquinones;
cycloplatam; cypemycin; cytarabine ocfosfate; cytolytic factor;
cytostatin; dacliximab; decitabine; dehydrodidemnin B; deslorelin;
dexamethasone; dexifosfamide; dexrazoxane; dexverapamil;
diaziquone; didemnin B; didox; diethylnorspermine;
dihydro-5-azacytidine; dihydrotaxol, dioxamycin; diphenyl
spiromustine; docetaxel; docosanol; dolasetron; doxifluridine;
droloxifene; dronabinol; duocarmycin SA; ebselen; ecomustine;
edelfosine; edrecolomab; eflomithine; elemene; emitefur;
epirubicin; epristeride; estramustine analogue; estrogen agonists;
estrogen antagonists; etanidazole; etoposide phosphate; exemestane;
fadrozole; fazarabine; fenretinide; filgrastim; finasteride;
flavopiridol; flezelastine; fluasterone; fludarabine;
fluorodaunorunicin hydrochloride; forfenimex; formestane;
fostriecin; fotemustine; gadolinium texaphyrin; gallium nitrate;
galocitabine; ganirelix; gelatinase inhibitors; gemcitabine;
glutathione inhibitors; HMG CoA reductase inhibitors (e.g.,
atorvastatin, cerivastatin, fluvastatin, lescol, lupitor,
lovastatin, rosuvastatin, and simvastatin); hepsulfam; heregulin;
hexamethylene bisacetamide; hypericin; ibandronic acid; idarubicin;
idoxifene; idramantone; ilmofosine; ilomastat; imidazoacridones;
imiquimod; immunostimulant peptides; insulin-like growth factor-1
receptor inhibitor; interferon agonists; interferons; interleukins;
iobenguane; iododoxorubicin; ipomeanol, 4-iroplact; irsogladine;
isobengazole; isohomohalicondrin B; itasetron; jasplakinolide;
kahalalide F; lamellarin-N triacetate; lanreotide; leinamycin;
lenograstim; lentinan sulfate; leptolstatin; letrozole; leukemia
inhibiting factor; leukocyte alpha interferon;
leuprolide+estrogen+progesterone; leuprorelin; levamisole; LFA-3TIP
(Biogen, Cambridge, Mass.; International Publication No. WO 93/0686
and U.S. Pat. No. 6,162,432); liarozole; linear polyamine analogue;
lipophilic disaccharide peptide; lipophilic platinum compounds;
lissoclinamide 7; lobaplatin; lombricine; lometrexol; lonidamine;
losoxantrone; lovastatin; loxoribine; lurtotecan; lutetium
texaphyrin; lysofylline; lytic peptides; maitansine; mannostatin A;
marimastat; masoprocol; maspin; matrilysin inhibitors; matrix
metalloproteinase inhibitors; menogaril; merbarone; meterelin;
methioninase; metoclopramide; MIF inhibitor; mifepristone;
miltefosine; mirimostim; mismatched double stranded RNA;
mitoguazone; mitolactol; mitomycin analogues; mitonafide; mitotoxin
fibroblast growth factor-saporin; mitoxantrone; mofarotene;
molgramostim; monoclonal antibody, human chorionic gonadotrophin;
monophosphoryl lipid A+myobacterium cell wall sk; mopidamol;
multiple drug resistance gene inhibitor; multiple tumor suppressor
1-based therapy; mustard anticancer agent; mycaperoxide B;
mycobacterial cell wall extract; myriaporone; N-acetyldinaline;
N-substituted benzamides; nafarelin; nagrestip;
naloxone+pentazocine; napavin; naphterpin; nartograstim;
nedaplatin; nemorubicin; neridronic acid; neutral endopeptidase;
nilutamide; nisamycin; nitric oxide modulators; nitroxide
antioxidant; nitrullyn; O6-benzylguanine; octreotide; okicenone;
oligonucleotides; onapristone; ondansetron; ondansetron; oracin;
oral cytokine inducer; ormaplatin; osaterone; oxaliplatin;
oxaunomycin; paclitaxel; paclitaxel analogues; paclitaxel
derivatives; palauamine; palmitoylrhizoxin; pamidronic acid;
panaxytriol; panomifene; parabactin; pazelliptine; pegaspargase;
peldesine; pentosan polysulfate sodium; pentostatin; pentrozole;
perflubron; perfosfamide; perillyl alcohol; phenazinomycin;
phenylacetate; phosphatase inhibitors; picibanil; pilocarpine
hydrochloride; pirarubicin; piritrexim; placetin A; placetin B;
plasminogen activator inhibitor; platinum complex; platinum
compounds; platinum-triamine complex; porfimer sodium;
porfiromycin; prednisone; propyl bis-acridone; prostaglandin J2;
proteasome inhibitors; protein A-based immune modulator; protein
kinase C inhibitor; protein kinase C inhibitors, microalgal;
protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors; purine nucleoside
phosphorylase inhibitors; purpurins; pyrazoloacridine;
pyridoxylated hemoglobin polyoxyethylene conjugate; raf
antagonists; raltitrexed; ramosetron; ras farnesyl protein
transferase inhibitors; ras inhibitors; ras-GAP inhibitor;
retelliptine demethylated; rhenium Re 186 etidronate; rhizoxin;
ribozymes; RII retinamide; rogletimide; rohitukine; romurtide;
roquinimex; rubiginone B1; ruboxyl; safingol; saintopin; SarCNU;
sarcophytol A; sargramostim; Sdi 1 mimetics; semustine; senescence
derived inhibitor 1; sense oligonucleotides; signal transduction
inhibitors; signal transduction modulators; single chain antigen
binding protein; sizofuran; sobuzoxane; sodium borocaptate; sodium
phenylacetate; solverol; somatomedin binding protein; sonermin;
sparfosic acid; spicamycin D; spiromustine; splenopentin;
spongistatin 1; squalamine; stem cell inhibitor; stem-cell division
inhibitors; stipiamide; stromelysin inhibitors; sulfinosine;
superactive vasoactive intestinal peptide antagonist; suradista;
suramin; swainsonine; synthetic glycosaminoglycans; tallimustine;
5-fluorouracil; leucovorin; tamoxifen methiodide; tauromustine;
tazarotene; tecogalan sodium; tegafur; tellurapyrylium; telomerase
inhibitors; temoporfin; temozolomide; teniposide;
tetrachlorodecaoxide; tetrazomine; thaliblastine; thiocoraline;
thrombopoietin; thrombopoietin mimetic; thymalfasin; thymopoietin
receptor agonist; thymotrinan; thyroid stimulating hormone; tin
ethyl etiopurpurin; tirapazamine; titanocene bichloride; topsentin;
toremifene; totipotent stem cell factor; translation inhibitors;
tretinoin; triacetyluridine; triciribine; trimetrexate;
triptorelin; tropisetron; turosteride; tyrosine kinase inhibitors;
tyrphostins; UBC inhibitors; ubenimex; urogenital sinus-derived
growth inhibitory factor; urokinase receptor antagonists;
vapreotide; variolin B; vector system, erythrocyte gene therapy;
thalidomide; velaresol; veramine; verdins; verteporfin;
vinorelbine; vinxaltine; VITAX.TM. (see U.S. Patent Pub. No. US
2002/0168360 A1, dated Nov. 14, 2002, entitled "Methods of
Preventing or Treating Inflammatory or Autoimmune Disorders by
Administering Integrin .alpha..sub.v.beta..sub.3 Antagonists in
Combination With Other Prophylactic or Therapeutic Agents");
vorozole; zanoterone; zeniplatin; zilascorb; and zinostatin
stimalamer.
[0290] In specific embodiments, radiation therapy comprising the
use of x-rays, gamma rays and other sources of radiation to destroy
the cancer cells is used in combination with the antibodies of the
invention. In preferred embodiments, the radiation treatment is
administered as external beam radiation or teletherapy, wherein the
radiation is directed from a remote source. In other preferred
embodiments, the radiation treatment is administered as internal
therapy or brachytherapy wherein a radioactive source is placed
inside the body close to cancer cells or a tumor mass.
[0291] Cancer therapies and their dosages, routes of administration
and recommended usage are known in the art and have been described
in such literature as the Physician's Desk Reference (56h ed.,
2002).
[0292] 5.2.6 Anti-Viral Agents
[0293] Any anti-viral agent well-known to one of skill in the art
can be used in the compositions and the methods of the invention.
Non-limiting examples of anti-viral agents include proteins,
polypeptides, peptides, fusion proteins antibodies, nucleic acid
molecules, organic molecules, inorganic molecules, and small
molecules that inhibit and/or reduce the attachment of a virus to
its receptor, the internalization of a virus into a cell, the
replication of a virus, or release of virus from a cell. In
particular, anti-viral agents include, but are not limited to,
nucleoside analogs (e.g., zidovudine, acyclovir, gangcyclovir,
vidarabine, idoxuridine, trifluridine, and ribavirin), foscarnet,
arnantadine, rimantadine, saquinavir, indinavir, ritonavir,
alpha-interferons and other interferons, and AZT.
[0294] In specific embodiments, the anti-viral agent is an
immunomodulatory agent that is immunospecific for a viral antigen.
As used herein, the term "viral antigen" includes, but is not
limited to, any viral peptide, polypeptide and protein (e.g., HIV
gp120, HIV nef, RSV F glycoprotein, RSV G glycoprotein, influenza
virus neuraminidase, influenza virus hemagglutinin, HTLV tax,
herpes simplex virus glycoprotein (e.g., gB, gC, gD, and gE) and
hepatitis B surface antigen) that is capable of eliciting an immune
response. Antibodies useful in this invention for treatment of a
viral infectious disease include, but are not limited to,
antibodies against antigens of pathogenic viruses, including as
examples and not by limitation: adenovirdiae (e.g., mastadenovirus
and aviadenovirus), herpesviridae (e.g., herpes simplex virus 1,
herpes simplex virus 2, herpes simplex virus 5, and herpes simplex
virus 6), leviviridae (e.g., levivirus, enterobacteria phase MS2,
allolevirus), poxyiridae (e.g., chordopoxyirinae, parapoxvirus,
avipoxvirus, capripoxvirus, leporiipoxvirus, suipoxvirus,
molluscipoxvirus, and entomopoxyirinae), papovaviridae (e.g.,
polyomavirus and papillomavirus), paramyxoviridae (e.g.,
paramyxovirus, parainfluenza virus 1, mobillivirus (e.g., measles
virus), rubulavirus (e.g., mumps virus), pneumonovirinae (e.g.,
pneumovirus, human respiratory synctial virus), and metapneumovirus
(e.g., avian pneumovirus and human metapneumovirus)),
picornaviridae (e.g., enterovirus, rhinovirus, hepatovirus (e.g.,
human hepatits A virus), cardiovirus, and apthovirus), reoviridae
(e.g., orthoreovirus, orbivirus, rotavirus, cypovirus, fijivirus,
phytoreovirus, and oryzavirus), retroviridae (e.g., mammalian type
B retroviruses, mammalian type C retroviruses, avian type C
retroviruses, type D retrovirus group, BLV-HTLV retroviruses,
lentivirus (e.g. human immunodeficiency virus 1 and human
immunodeficiency virus 2), spumavirus), flaviviridae (e.g.,
hepatitis C virus), hepadnaviridae (e.g., hepatitis B virus),
togaviridae (e.g., alphavirus (e.g., sindbis virus) and rubivirus
(e.g., rubella virus)), rhabdoviridae (e.g., vesiculovirus,
lyssavirus, ephemerovirus, cytorhabdovirus, and necleorhabdovirus),
arenaviridae (e.g., arenavirus, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus,
Ippy virus, and lassa virus), and coronaviridae (e.g., coronavirus
and torovirus).
[0295] Specific examples of antibodies available useful for the
treatment of a viral infectious disease include, but are not
limited to, PRO542 (Progenics) which is a CD4 fusion antibody
useful for the treatment of HIV infection; Ostavir (Protein Design
Labs, Inc., CA) which is a human antibody useful for the treatment
of hepatitis B virus; and Protovir (Protein Design Labs, Inc., CA)
which is a humanized IgG1 antibody useful for the treatment of
cytomegalovirus (CMV); and palivizumab (SYNAGIS.RTM.; MedImmune,
Inc.; International Publication No. WO 02/43660) which is a
humanized antibody useful for treatment of RSV.
[0296] In a specific embodiment, the anti-viral agents used in the
compositions and methods of the invention inhibit or reduce a
pulmonary or respiratory virus infection, inhibit or reduce the
replication of a virus that causes a pulmonary or respiratory
infection, or inhibit or reduce the spread of a virus that causes a
pulmonary or respiratory infection to other cells or subjects. In
another preferred embodiment, the anti-viral agents used in the
compositions and methods of the invention inhibit or reduce
infection by RSV, hMPV, or PIV, inhibit or reduce the replication
of RSV, hMPV, or PIV, or inhibit or reduce the spread of RSV, hMPV,
or PIV to other cells or subjects. Examples of such agents and
methods of treatment of RSV, hMPV, and/or PIV infections include,
but are not limited to, nucleoside analogs, such as zidovudine,
acyclovir, gangcyclovir, vidarabine, idoxuridine, trifluridine, and
ribavirin, as well as foscamet, amantadine, rimantadine,
saquinavir, indinavir, ritonavir, and the alpha-interferons. See
U.S. Prov. Patent App. No. 60/398,475 filed Jul. 25, 2002, entitled
"Methods of Treating and Preventing RSV, HMPV, and PIV Using
Anti-RSV, Anti-HMPV, and Anti-PIV Antibodies," and U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/371,122 filed Feb. 21, 2003, which are
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0297] In preferred embodiments, the viral infection is RSV and the
anti-viral antigen is an antibody that immunospecifically binds to
an antigen of RSV. In certain embodiments, the anti-RSV-antigen
antibody binds immunospecifically to an RSV antigen of the Group A
of RSV. In other embodiments, the anti-RSV-antigen antibody binds
immunospecifically to an RSV antigen of the Group B of RSV. In
other embodiments, an antibody binds to an antigen of RSV of one
Group and cross reacts with the analogous antigen of the other
Group. In particular embodiments, the anti-RSV-antigen antibody
binds immunospecifically to a RSV nucleoprotein, RSV
phosphoprotein, RSV matrix protein, RSV small hydrophobic protein,
RSV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, RSV F protein, and/or RSV G
protein. In additional specific embodiments, the anti-RSV-antigen
antibody binds to allelic variants of a RSV nucleoprotein, a RSV
nucleocapsid protein, a RSV phosphoprotein, a RSV matrix protein, a
RSV attachment glycoprotein, a RSV fusion glycoprotein, a RSV
nucleocapsid protein, a RSV matrix protein, a RSV small hydrophobic
protein, a RSV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, a RSV F protein, a RSV
L protein, a RSV P protein, and/or a RSV G protein.
[0298] It should be recognized that antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to a RSV antigen are known in the art. For
example, palivizumab (SYNAGIS.RTM.) is a humanized monoclonal
antibody presently used for the prevention of RSV infection in
pediatric patients. In a specific embodiment, an antibody to be
used with the methods of the present invention is palivizumab or an
antibody-binding fragment thereof (e.g., a fragment containing one
or more complementarity determining regions (CDRs) and preferably,
the variable domain of palivizumab). The amino acid sequence of
palivizumab is disclosed, e.g., in Johnson et al., 1997, J.
Infectious Disease 176:1215-1224, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,824,307 and
International Application Publication No.: WO 02/43660, entitled
"Methods of Administering/Dosing Anti-RSV Antibodies for
Prophylaxis and Treatment", by Young et al., which are incorporated
herein by reference in their entireties.
[0299] One or more antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof
that bind immunospecifically to a RSV antigen comprise a Fc domain
with a higher affinity for the FcRn receptor than the Fc domain of
palivizumab can also be used in accordance with the invention. Such
antibodies are described in U.S. Pat. Appn. No. 10/020,354, filed
Dec. 12, 2001, which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entireties. Further, one or more of the anti-RSV-antigen antibodies
A4B4; P12f2 P12f4; P11d4; Ale9; A12a6; A13c4; A17d4; A4B4;
IX-493L1; FR H3-3F4; M3H9; Y10H6; DG; AFFF; AFFF(1); 6H8; L1-7E5;
L2-15B10; A13a11; A1h5; A4B4(1); A4B4-F52S; or A4B4L1FR-S28R can be
used in accordance with the invention. These antibodies are
disclosed in International Application Publication No.: WO
02/43660, entitled "Methods of Administering/Dosing Anti-RSV
Antibodies for Prophylaxis and Treatment", by Young et al., and
U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/398,475 filed Jul. 25, 2002,
entitled "Methods of Treating and Preventing RSV, HMPV, and PIV
Using Anti-RSV, Anti-HMPV, and Anti-PIV Antibodies" which are
incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
[0300] In certain embodiments, the anti-RSV-antigen antibodies are
the anti-RSV-antigen antibodies of or are prepared by the methods
of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/724,531, filed Nov. 28, 2000; Ser.
No. 09/996,288, filed Nov. 28, 2001; and U.S. Pat. Publication No.
US2003/0091584 A1, published May 15, 2003, all entitled "Methods of
Administering/Dosing Anti-RSV Antibodies for Prophylaxis and
Treatment", by Young et al., which are incorporated by reference
herein in their entireties. Methods and composition for stabilized
antibody formulations that can be used in the methods of the
present invention are disclosed in U.S. Provisional Application
Nos. 60/388,921, filed Jun. 14, 2002, and 60/388,920, filed Jun.
14, 2002, which are incorporated by reference herein in their
entireties.
[0301] Anti-viral therapies and their dosages, routes of
administration and recommended usage are known in the art and have
been described in such literature as the Physician's Desk Reference
(56.sup.th ed., 2002). Additional information on respiratory viral
infections is available in Cecil Textbook of Medicine (18th ed.,
1988).
[0302] 5.2.7 Anti-Bacterial Agents
[0303] Anti-bacterial agents and therapies well known to one of
skill in the art for the prevention, treatment, management, or
amelioration of bacterial infections can be used in the
compositions and methods of the invention. Non-limiting examples of
anti-bacterial agents include proteins, polypeptides, peptides,
fusion proteins, antibodies, nucleic acid molecules, organic
molecules, inorganic molecules, and small molecules that inhibit or
reduce a bacterial infection, inhibit or reduce the replication of
bacteria, or inhibit or reduce the spread of bacteria to other
subjects. In particular, examples of anti-bacterial agents include,
but are not limited to, penicillin, cephalosporin, imipenem,
axtreonam, vancomycin, cycloserine, bacitracin, chloramphenicol,
erythromycin, clindamycin, tetracycline, streptomycin, tobramycin,
gentamicin, amikacin, kanamycin, neomycin, spectinomycin,
trimethoprim, norfloxacin, rifampin, polymyxin, amphotericin B,
nystatin, ketocanazole, isoniazid, metronidazole, and
pentamidine.
[0304] In a preferred embodiment, the anti-bacterial agent is an
agent that inhibits or reduces a pulmonary or respiratory bacterial
infection, inhibits or reduces the replication of a bacteria that
causes a pulmonary or respiratory infection, or inhibits or reduces
the spread of a bacteria that causes a pulmonary or respiratory
infection to other subjects. In cases in which the pulmonary or
respiratory bacterial infection is a mycoplasma infection (e.g.,
pharyngitis, tracheobronchitis, and pneumonia), the anti-bacterial
agent is preferably a tetracycline, erythromycin, or spectinomycin.
In cases in which the pulmonary or respiratory bacterial infection
is pneumonia caused by an aerobic gram negative bacilli (GNB), the
anti-bacterial agent is preferably penicillin, first second, or
third generation cephalosporin (e.g., cefaclor, cefadroxil,
cephalexin, or cephazolin), erythomycin, clindamycin, an
aminoglycoside (e.g., gentamicin, tobramycin, or amikacine), or a
monolactam (e.g., aztreonam). In cases in which the pulmonary or
respiratory bacterial infection is tuberculosis, the anti-bacterial
agent is preferably, rifampcin, isonaizid, pyranzinamide,
ethambutol, and streptomycin. In cases in which the respiratory
infection is recurrent aspiration pneumonia, the anti-bacterial
agent is preferably penicillin, an aminoglycoside, or a second or
third generation cephalosporin.
[0305] Anti-bacterial therapies and their dosages, routes of
administration and recommended usage are known in the art and have
been described in such literature as the Physician's Desk Reference
(56t ed., 2002). Additional information on respiratory infections
and anti-bacterial therapies is available in Cecil Textbook of
Medicine (18th ed., 1988).
[0306] 5.2.8 Anti-Fungal Agents
[0307] Anti-fungal agents and therapies well known to one of skill
in the art for prevention, management, treatment, and/or
amelioration of a fungal infection or one or more symptoms thereof
(e.g., a fungal respiratory infection) can be used in the
compositions and methods of the invention. Non-limiting examples of
anti-fungal agents include proteins, polypeptides, peptides, fusion
proteins, antibodies, nucleic acid molecules, organic molecules,
inorganic molecules, and small molecules that inhibit and/or reduce
fungal infection, inhibit and/or reduce the replication of fungi,
or inhibit and/or reduce the spread of fungi to other subjects.
Specific examples of anti-fungal agents include, but are not
limited to, azole drugs (e.g., miconazole, ketoconazole
(NIZORAL.RTM.), caspofungin acetate (CANCIDAS.RTM.), imidazole,
triazoles (e.g., fluconazole (DIFLUCAN.RTM.)), and itraconazole
(SPORANOX.RTM.)), polyene (e.g., nystatin, amphotericin B
(FUNGIZONE.RTM.), amphotericin B lipid complex ("ABLC")
(ABELCET.RTM.), amphotericin B colloidal dispersion ("ABCD")
(AMPHOTEC.RTM.), liposomal amphotericin B (AMBISONE.RTM.)),
potassium iodide (KI), pyrimidine (e.g., flucytosine
(ANCOBON.RTM.)), and voriconazole (VFEND.RTM.). See, e.g., Table 4
for a list of specific anti-fungal agents and their recommended
dosages.
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Anti-fungal Agents Anti-fungal Agent Dosage
Amphotericin B ABELCET .RTM. (lipid 5 mg/kg/day complex injection)
AMBISOME .RTM. (liposome 3-5 mg/kg/day for injection) AMPHOTEC
.RTM. (complex 3-4 mg/kg/day for injection) Caspofungin acetate 70
mg on day one followed by 50 (CANCIDAS .RTM.) mg/day Fluconazole up
to 400 mg/day (adults) (DIFLUCAN .RTM.) up to 12 mg/kg/day
(children) Itraconazole 200-400 mg/day (SPORANOX .RTM.) Flucytosine
50-150 mg/kg/day in divided dose (ANCOBON .RTM.) every 6 hours
Liposomal nystatin 1-4 mg/kg Ketoconazole 200 mg single daily dose
up to (NIZORAL .RTM.) 400 mg/day in two divided doses (adults)
3.3-6.6 mg/kg/day for children 2 years old and older Voriconazole 6
mg/kg i.v. loading dose every 12 (VFEND .RTM.) hours for two doses,
followed by maintenance dose of 4 mg/kg i.v. every 12 hours, then
oral maintenance dose of 200-100 mg tablet
[0308] In certain embodiments, the anti-fungal agent is an agent
that inhibits or reduces a respiratory fungal infection, inhibits
or reduces the replication of a fungus that causes a pulmonary or
respiratory infection, or inhibits or reduces the spread of a
fungus that causes a pulmonary or respiratory infection to other
subjects. In cases in which the pulmonary or respiratory fungal
infection is Blastomyces dermatitidis, the anti-fungal agent is
preferably itraconazole, amphotericin B, fluconazole, or
ketoconazole. In cases in which the pulmonary or respiratory fungal
infection is pulmonary aspergilloma, the anti-fungal agent is
preferably amphotericin B, liposomal amphotericin B, itraconazole,
or fluconazole. In cases in which the pulmonary or respiratory
fungal infection is histoplasmosis, the anti-fungal agent is
preferably amphotericin B, itraconazole, fluconazole, or
ketoconazole. In cases in which the pulmonary or respiratory fungal
infection is coccidioidomycosis, the anti-fungal agent is
preferably fluconazole or amphotericin B. In cases in which the
pulmonary or respiratory fungal infection is cryptococcosis, the
anti-fungal agent is preferably amphotericin B, fluconazole, or
combination of the two agents. In cases in which the pulmonary or
respiratory fungal infection is chromomycosis, the anti-fungal
agent is preferably itraconazole, fluconazole, or flucytosine. In
cases in which the pulmonary or respiratory fungal infection is
mucormycosis, the anti-fungal agent is preferably amphotericin B or
liposomal amphotericin B. In cases in which the pulmonary or
respiratory fungal infection is pseudoallescheriasis, the
anti-fungal agent is preferably itraconazole ore miconazole.
[0309] Anti-fungal therapies and their dosages, routes of
administration, and recommended usage are known in the art and have
been described in such literature as Dodds et al., 2000
Pharinacotherapy 20(11) 1335-1355, the Physician's Desk Reference
(57th ed., 2003) and the Merk Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy (17th
ed., 1999).
5.3 Prophylactic &Therapeutic Uses of Antibodies
[0310] The present invention is directed to therapies which involve
administering one of more antibodies of the invention and
compositions comprising said antibodies to a subject, preferably a
human subject, for preventing, treating, managing, and/or
ameliorating disease or disorder or one or more symptoms thereof.
In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of preventing,
treating, managing, and/or ameliorating a disease or disorder or
one or more symptoms thereof, said method comprising administering
to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of one or more
antibodies of the invention. In certain embodiments, an effective
amount of one or more polypeptides, peptides, and proteins
comprising one or more antibodies or antibody fragments of the
invention is administered to a subject in need thereof to prevent,
treat, manage, and/or ameliorate a disease or disorder or one or
more symptoms thereof.
[0311] The invention also provides methods of preventing, treating,
managing, and/or ameliorating a disease or disorder or one or more
symptoms thereof, said methods comprising administering to a
subject in need thereof one or more of the antibodies of the
invention and one or more therapies (e.g., one or more prophylactic
or therapeutic agents) other than antibodies of the invention that
are currently being used, have been used, or are known to be useful
in the prevention, treatment, management, and/or amelioration of
said disease or disorder or one or more symptoms thereof. The
prophylactic or therapeutic agents of the combination therapies of
the invention can be administered sequentially or concurrently. In
a specific embodiment, the combination therapies of the invention
comprise an effective amount of one or more antibodies of the
invention and an effective amount of at least one other therapy
which has the same mechanism of action as said antibodies. In a
specific embodiment, the combination therapies of the invention
comprise an effective amount of one or more antibodies of the
invention and an effective amount of at least one other therapy
(e.g., prophylactic or therapeutic agent) which has a different
mechanism of action than said antibodies. In certain embodiments,
the combination therapies of the present invention improve the
prophylactic or therapeutic effect of one or more antibodies of the
invention by functioning together with the antibodies to have an
additive or synergistic effect. In certain embodiments, the
combination therapies of the present invention reduce the side
effects associated with the prophylactic or therapeutic agents.
[0312] The prophylactic or therapeutic agents of the combination
therapies can be administered to a subject, preferably a human
subject, in the same pharmaceutical composition. Alternatively, the
prophylactic or therapeutic agents of the combination therapies can
be administered concurrently to a subject in separate
pharmaceutical compositions. The prophylactic or therapeutic agents
may be administered to a subject by the same or different routes of
administration. See co-pending U.S. Provisional Appn. (identified
by Attorney Docket Number 10271-126-888) filed concurrently
herewith, entitled "Anti-IL-9 Antibody Formulations and Uses
Thereof," which is incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
[0313] In a specific embodiment, a pharmaceutical composition
comprising one or more antibodies of the invention described herein
is administered to a subject, preferably a human, to prevent,
treat, manage, and/or ameliorate a disease or disorder or one or
more symptoms thereof. In accordance with the invention,
pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may also comprise one
or more therapies (e.g., prophylactic or therapeutic agents), other
than antibodies of the invention, which are currently being used,
have been used, or are known to be useful in the prevention,
treatment or amelioration of one or more symptoms associated with a
disease or disorder.
[0314] Diseases and disorders which can be prevented, treated,
managed, and/or ameliorated by administering an effective amount of
one or more antibodies of the invention include, but are not
limited to, diseases or disorders associated with aberrant
expression and/or activity of an IL-9 polypeptide and diseases,
disorders associated with aberrant expression and/or activity of an
IL-9R or one or more subunits thereof, autoimmune disorders (e.g.,
lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis), inflammatory
disorders (e.g., asthma, allergic disorders, and arthritis),
proliferative disorders (e.g., leukemia, fibrosis, carcinoma, and
lymphoma), and infections (preferably, respiratory infections). In
another embodiment, the antibodies of the invention and
compositions comprising said antibodies are administered to a
subject, preferably a human subject, according to the methods of
the invention to prevent, treat, manage, and/or ameliorate one or
more symptoms of a disease or disorder associated with aberrant
expression and/or activity of an IL-9 polypeptide or a disease or
disorder associated with aberrant expression and/or activity of an
IL-9R or one or more subunits thereof. In a specific embodiment,
the antibodies of the invention and compositions comprising the
same are used to prevent, treat, manage, and/or ameliorate a
proliferative disorder. In another embodiment, the antibodies of
the invention and compositions comprising the same are used to
prevent, treat, manage, and/or ameliorate an inflammatory disorder
or one or more symptoms thereof. In another embodiment, the
antibodies of the invention and compositions comprising the same
are used to prevent, treat, manage, and/or ameliorate asthma or one
or more symptoms thereof. In another specific embodiment, the
antibodies of the invention and compositions comprising said
antibodies are used to prevent, treat, manage, and/or ameliorate an
allergic condition including, but not limited to, rhinitis, eczema,
chronic urticaria, atopic dermatitis, and allergic asthma. In
another embodiment, the antibodies of the invention and
compositions comprising the same are used to prevent, treat,
manage, and/or ameliorate an autoimmune disorder. In another
embodiment, the antibodies of the invention and compositions
comprising the same are used to prevent, treat, manage, and/or
ameliorate an infection, preferably a respiratory infection, or one
or more symptoms thereof. In another embodiment, the antibodies of
the invention and compositions comprising said antibodies are used
to prevent, treat, manage, and/or ameliorate disorders and diseases
in which overproduction or abnormal production of mucin is involved
in the disease pathology. Examples of such diseases and disorders
include, but not limited to, cystic fibrosis, emphysema and
COPD.
[0315] 5.3.1 Proliferative Disorders
[0316] The antibodies of the invention and compositions comprising
said antibodies can be used to prevent, treat, manage, and/or
ameliorate a proliferative disorder or one or more symptoms
thereof. In a specific embodiment, the proliferative disorder is
characterized by aberrant proliferation (e.g. uncontrolled
proliferation or lack of proliferation) of cells that IL-9 mediates
the growth of, including, but not limited to T cells, erythroid
progenitors, B cells, mast cells, eosinophils, neutrophils, and
fetal thymocytes.
[0317] The present invention provides methods for preventing,
treating, managing, and/or ameliorating one or more symptoms of a
non-cancerous disorder (i.e., a disorder that does not have the
potential to metasasize) associated with IL-9 mediated cellular
hyperproliferation, particularly of epithelial cells (e.g., as in
asthma, COPD, lung fibrosis, bronchial hyperresponsiveness,
psoriasis, lymphoproliferative disorder, and seborrheic dermatitis)
and endothelial cells (e.g., as in restenosis, hyperproliferative
vascular disease, Behcet's Syndrome, atherosclerosis, and macular
degeneration), said methods comprising administering to a subject
in need thereof an effective amount of one or more antibodies of
the invention. The present invention also provides methods for
preventing, managing, treating, and/or ameliorating a non-cancerous
disorder associated with IL-9 mediated cellular hyperproliferation,
said methods comprising of administering to a subject in need
thereof an effective amount of one or more antibodies of the
invention and an effective amount of one or more other therapies
(e.g., one or more prophylactic or therapeutic agents) other than
antibodies of the invention useful for the prevention, treatment,
management, and/or amelioration of said disorder. Non-limiting
examples of such therapies include the agents described in section
5.2, supra, and in particular, the immunomodulatory agents
described in section 5.2.1, the anti-angiogenic agents described in
section 5.2.2, the TNF-.alpha. antagonists described in section
5.2.3, the anti-inflammatory agents described in section 5.2.4.,
the anti-cancer agents described in section 5.2.5, and the
anti-viral agents described in section 5.2.6. One or more of the
antibodies of the invention may also be used in combination with an
anti-cancer therapy such as radiation therapy as described in
section 5.2.5.
[0318] The invention provides methods for preventing, treating,
managing, and/or ameliorating one or more symptoms of a
non-cancerous disorder associated with L-9 mediated cellular
hyperproliferation in a subject refractory to conventional
therapies for such disorder, said methods comprising administering
to subject an effective amount of one or more antibodies,
compositions, or combination therapies of the invention. In certain
embodiments, a patient with a non-cancerous disorder associated
with IL-9 mediated cellular hyperproliferation is refractory to a
therapy when the hyperproliferation has not been eradicated and/or
the symptoms have not been alleviated. The determination of whether
a patient is refractory can be made either in vivo or in vitro by
any method known in the art for assaying the effectiveness of a
treatment of non-cancerous hyperproliferation disorders, using
art-accepted meanings of "refractory" such a context. In various
embodiments, a patient with a non-cancerous disorder associated
with IL-9 mediated cellular hyperproliferation is refractory when
the patient's levels of IL-9 remain abnormal and/or if cellular
proliferation has not been decreased. The present invention also
provides methods for preventing, managing, treating, and/or
ameliorating a non-cancerous disorder associated with IL-9 mediated
cellular hyperproliferation in a subject refractory to conventional
therapies for such disorder, said methods comprising of
administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of
one or more antibodies of the invention and an effective amount of
one or more other therapies (e.g., one or more prophylactic or
therapeutic agents) other than antibodies of the invention useful
for the prevention, treatment, management, and/or amelioration of
said disorder. Non-limiting examples of such therapies include the
agents described in section 5.2, supra, and in particular, the
immunomodulatory agents described in section 5.2.1, the
anti-angiogenic agents described in section 5.2.2, the TNF-.alpha.
antagonists described in section 5.2.3, the anti-inflammatory
agents described in section 5.2.4., the anti-cancer agents
described in section 5.2.5, and the anti-viral agents described in
section 5.2.6. One or more of the antibodies of the invention may
also be used in combination with an anti-cancer therapy such as
radiation therapy as described in section 5.2.5.
[0319] The present invention provides methods for preventing,
treating, managing, and/or ameliorating cancer or one or more
symptoms thereof, said methods comprising administering to a
subject in need thereof an effective amount of one or more
antibodies of the invention. The invention also provides methods
for preventing, treating, managing, and/or ameliorating cancer in
which an effective amount of one or more antibodies of the
invention are administered in combination with one or more other
therapies (e.g., one or more prophylactic or therapeutic agents)
other than antibodies of the invention useful for the prevention,
treatment, management, or amelioration of cancer or a secondary
condition associated therewith (e.g., a viral, bacterial, or fungal
infection). Non-limiting examples of such therapies include the
agents described in section 5.2, supra, and in particular, the
immunomodulatory agents described in section 5.2.1, the
anti-angiogenic agents described in section 5.2.2, the TNF-.alpha.
antagonists described in section 5.2.3, the anti-inflammatory
agents described in section 5.2.4., the anti-cancer agents
described in section 5.2.5, the anti-viral agents described in
section 5.2.6, the anti-bacterial agents described in section
5.2.7, and the anti-fungul agents described in section 5.2.8. One
or more of the antibodies of the invention may also be used in
combination with an anti-cancer therapy such as radiation therapy
as described in section 5.2.5.
[0320] In a specific embodiment, an effective amount of one or more
antibodies of the invention is administered in combination with an
effective amount of VITAXIN.TM. (MedImmune, Inc., International
Publication No. WO 00/78815, International Publication No. WO
02/070007 A1, dated Sep. 12, 2002, entitled "Methods of Preventing
or Treating Inflammatory or Autoimmune Disorders by Administering
Integrin AlphaV Beta3 Antagonists," International Publication No.
WO 03/075957 A1, dated Sep. 18, 2003, entitled "The Prevention or
Treatment of Cancer Using Integrin AlphaVBeta3 Antagonists in
Combination With Other Agents," U.S. Patent Pub. No. US
2002/0168360 A1, dated Nov. 14, 2002, entitled "Methods of
Preventing or Treating Inflammatory or Autoimmune Disorders by
Administering Integrin .alpha..sub.v.beta..sub.3 Antagonists in
Combination With Other Prophylactic or Therapeutic Agents," and
International Publication No. WO 03/075741 A2, dated Sep. 18, 2003,
entitled, "Methods of Preventing or Treating Disorders by
Administering an Integrin .alpha..sub.v.beta..sub.3 Antagonist in
Combination With an HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor or a
Bisphosphonate," each of which is incorporated herewith by
reference in its entirety) to a subject at risk of or with a
proliferative disorder. In another embodiment, an effective amount
of one or more antibodies of the invention is administered in
combination with an effective amount of siplizumab (MedImmune,
Inc., International Publication No. WO 02/069904, which is
incorporated herewith by reference) to a subject to prevent, treat,
manage, and/or ameliorate a proliferative disorder. In another
embodiment, an effective amount of one or more antibodies of the
invention is administered in combination with an effective amount
of one or more EphA2 inhibitors (e.g., one or more anti-EphA2
antibodies (MedImmune, Inc.; International Publication No. WO
02/102974 A4, dated Dec. 27, 2002, entitled "Mutant Proteins, High
Potency Inhibitory Antibodies and FIMCH Crystal Structure,"
International Publication No. 03/094859 A2, dated Nov. 20, 2003,
entitled "EphA2 Monoclonal Antibodies and Methods of Use Thereof,"
U.S. Appn. No. 10/436,783; and U.S. Appn. No. 60/379,368, each of
which is incorporated herewith by reference)) to a subject to
prevent, treat, manage, and/or ameliorate a proliferative disorder.
In yet another embodiment, an effective amount of one or more
antibodies of the invention is administered in combination with an
effective amount of VITAXIN.TM., siplizumab, and/or EphA2 inhibitor
to a subject to prevent, treat, manage, and/or ameliorate a
proliferative disorder. In another preferred embodiment, an
antibody derivative such as MT103, part of a class of antibody
derivatives known as Bi-Specific T Cell Engagers (BiTE.TM.;
MedImmune, Inc.), may also be used in combination with one or more
antibodies of the present invention.
[0321] The antibodies of the invention or combination therapies of
the invention may be used as the first, second, third, fourth, or
fifth therapy to prevent, manage, treat, and/or ameliorate a
proliferative disorder or one or more symptom thereof. The
invention also includes methods of preventing, treating, managing,
and/or ameliorating a proliferative disorder or one or more
symptoms thereof in a patient undergoing therapies for other
disease or disorders. The invention encompasses methods of
preventing, managing, treating, and/or ameliorating a proliferative
disorder or one or more symptoms thereof in a patient before any
adverse effects or intolerance to therapies other than antibodies
of the invention develops. The invention also encompasses methods
of preventing, managing, treating, and/or ameliorating a
proliferative disorder or a symptom thereof in patients who are
susceptible to adverse reactions to conventional therapies.
[0322] The invention encompasses methods for preventing, managing,
treating, and/or ameliorating cancer or one or more symptoms
thereof in patients with cancer that are immunosuppressed as a
result of having previously undergone other cancer therapies. The
invention also encompasses methods for preventing, managing,
treating, and/or ameliorating cancer or one or more symptoms
thereof in patients who have proven refractory to other therapies
but are no longer on these therapies. The invention also
encompasses alternative therapies for preventing, managing,
treating, and/or ameliorating cancer or one or more symptoms
thereof patients in which chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormonal
therapy, and/or biological therapy/immunotherapy has proven or may
prove too toxic, i.e., results in unacceptable or unbearable side
effects, for the patient being undergoing said therapy. The
invention also encompasses methods for preventing, managing,
treating, and/or ameliorating cancer or one or more symptoms
thereof in patients predisposed to cancer. The invention also
encompasses methods for preventing, managing, treating, and/or
ameliorating cancer or one or more symptoms thereof in patients
with mean absolute lymphocyte cell counts of at least 500
cells/mm.sup.3, preferably at least 600 cells/mm.sup.3, more
preferably at least 750 cells/mm.sup.3. The invention also
encompasses methods for preventing the onset or development of one
or more symptoms in patients with cancer. The invention also
encompasses methods to prevent, treat, manage, and/or ameliorate
one or more symptoms in patients with incurable cancer, in
particular hospice patients. Further, the invention provides
methods for preventing cancer in patients who have been treated for
cancer but have no disease activity.
[0323] In a preferred embodiment, the invention encompasses methods
for managing for preventing, managing, treating, and/or
ameliorating cancer or one or more symptoms thereof in patients
that have undergone or are undergoing chemotherapy. In accordance
with this embodiment, such patients include patients that have
undergone or are undergoing radiation therapy, hormonal therapy,
biological therapy/immunotherapy and/or surgery. Examples of
chemotherapeutic agents that are used to treat cancer include, but
not limited to methotrexate, taxol, mercaptopurine, thioguanine,
hydroxyurea, cytarabine, cyclosporin A, cyclophosphamide,
ifosfamide, nitrosoureas, cisplatin, carboplatin, mitomycin,
dacarbazine, procarbizine, etoposides, campathecins, bleomycin,
doxorubicin, idarubicin, daunorubicin, dactinomycin, plicamycin,
mitoxantrone, asparaginase, vinblastine, vincristine, vinorelbine,
paclitaxel, docetaxel, etc.
[0324] In a specific embodiment, the invention encompasses methods
for preventing, managing, treating, and/or ameliorating cancer or
one or more symptoms thereof in cancer patients that have undergone
or are undergoing radiation therapy. In accordance with this
embodiment, such patients include patients that have undergone or
are undergoing chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, biological
therapy/immunotherapy and/or surgery. In another embodiment, the
invention encompasses methods for treating or managing patients
that have undergone or are undergoing hormonal therapy and/or
biological therapy/immunotherapy. In accordance with this
embodiment, such patients include patients that have undergone or
are undergoing chemotherapy, radiation therapy and/or surgery.
[0325] The invention encompasses methods for preventing, treating,
managing, and/or ameliorating a proliferative disorder or a symptom
thereof in a patient who has proven refractory to therapies other
than antibodies, compositions, or combination therapies of the
invention. In certain embodiments, a patient with a proliferative
disorder is refractory to a therapy when proliferation disorders
has not been eradicated and/or the symptoms have not been
alleviated. The determination of whether a patient is refractory
can be made either in vivo or in vitro by any method known in the
art for assaying the effectiveness of a treatment of proliferative
disorders, using art-accepted meanings of "refractory" such a
context. In various embodiments, a patient with a proliferative
disorder is refractory when the patient's levels of IL-9 remain
abnormal and/or if cellular proliferation has not been
decreased.
[0326] The present invention provides methods for preventing,
treating, managing, and/or ameliorating a proliferative disorder or
one or more symptoms thereof as an alternative to other
conventional therapies. In specific embodiments, the patient being
managed or treated in accordance with the methods of the invention
is to other therapies or is susceptible to adverse reactions from
such therapies. The patient may be a person with a suppressed
immune system (e.g., post-operative patients, chemotherapy
patients, and patients with immunodeficiency disease), a person
with impaired renal or liver function, the elderly, children,
infants, persons with neuropsychiatric disorders or those who take
psychotropic drugs, persons with histories of seizures, or persons
on medication that would negatively interact with conventional
agents used to manage or treat a proliferative disorder.
[0327] The invention encompasses methods for preventing, managing,
treating, and/or ameliorating one or more symptoms of a cancer in a
subject refractory to existing single agent therapies for such a
cancer. The invention also encompasses methods for preventing,
treating, managing, and/or ameliorating cancer or a secondary
condition associated thereof in patients who have proven refractory
to other therapies but are no longer on these therapies. The
invention also encompasses methods for the prevention, treatment,
management, or amelioration of cancer in a patent immunosuppressed
by reason of having previously undergone other cancer therapies.
The invention provides alternative methods for the prevention,
treatment, management, or amelioration of cancer where
chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, and/or
biological therapy/immunotherapy has proven or may prove too toxic,
i.e., results in unacceptable or unbearable side effects, for the
subject being undergoing therapy. Further, the invention
encompasses methods for preventing the recurrence of cancer in
patients that have been treated and have no disease.
[0328] Cancers that can be treated by the methods encompassed by
the invention include, but are not limited to, neoplasms, tumors,
metastases, or any disease or disorder characterized by
uncontrolled cell growth. The cancer may be a primary or metastatic
cancer. Specific examples of cancers that can be treated by the
methods encompassed by the invention include, but are not limited
to, cancer of the head, neck, eye, mouth, throat, esophagus, chest,
bone, lung, colon, rectum, stomach, prostate, breast, ovaries,
kidney, liver, pancreas, and brain. Additional cancers include, but
are not limited to, the following: leukemias such as but not
limited to, acute leukemia, acute lymphocytic leukemia, acute
myelocytic leukemias such as myeloblastic, promyelocytic,
myelomonocytic, monocytic, erythroleukemia leukemias and
myelodysplastic syndrome, chronic leukemias such as but not limited
to, chronic myelocytic (granulocytic) leukemia, chronic lymphocytic
leukemia, hairy cell leukemia; polycythemia vera; lymphomas such as
but not limited to Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's disease;
multiple myelomas such as but not limited to smoldering multiple
myeloma, nonsecretory myeloma, osteosclerotic myeloma, plasma cell
leukemia, solitary plasmacytoma and extramedullary plasmacytoma;
Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia; monoclonal gammopathy of
undetermined significance; benign monoclonal gammopathy; heavy
chain disease; bone cancer and connective tissue sarcomas such as
but not limited to bone sarcoma, myeloma bone disease, multiple
myeloma, cholesteatoma-induced bone osteosarcoma, Paget's disease
of bone, osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma, malignant
giant cell tumor, fibrosarcoma of bone, chordoma, periosteal
sarcoma, soft-tissue sarcomas, angiosarcoma (hemangiosarcoma),
fibrosarcoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, liposarcoma,
lymphangiosarcoma, neurilemmoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and synovial
sarcoma; brain tumors such as but not limited to, glioma,
astrocytoma, brain stem glioma, ependymoma, oligodendroglioma,
nonglial tumor, acoustic neurinoma, craniopharyngioma,
medulloblastoma, meningioma, pineocytoma, pineoblastoma, and
primary brain lymphoma; breast cancer including but not limited to
adenocarcinoma, lobular (small cell) carcinoma, intraductal
carcinoma, medullary breast cancer, mucinous breast cancer, tubular
breast cancer, papillary breast cancer, Paget's disease (including
juvenile Paget's disease) and inflammatory breast cancer; adrenal
cancer such as but not limited to pheochromocytom and
adrenocortical carcinoma; thyroid cancer such as but not limited to
papillary or follicular thyroid cancer, medullary thyroid cancer
and anaplastic thyroid cancer; pancreatic cancer such as but not
limited to, insulinoma, gastrinoma, glucagonoma, vipoma,
somatostatin-secreting tumor, and carcinoid or islet cell tumor;
pituitary cancers such as but limited to Cushing's disease,
prolactin-secreting tumor, acromegaly, and diabetes insipius; eye
cancers such as but not limited to ocular melanoma such as iris
melanoma, choroidal melanoma, and cilliary body melanoma, and
retinoblastoma; vaginal cancers such as squamous cell carcinoma,
adenocarcinoma, and melanoma; vulvar cancer such as squamous cell
carcinoma, melanoma, adenocarcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, sarcoma,
and Paget's disease; cervical cancers such as but not limited to,
squamous cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma; uterine cancers such
as but not limited to endometrial carcinoma and uterine sarcoma;
ovarian cancers such as but not limited to, ovarian epithelial
carcinoma, borderline tumor, germ cell tumor, and stromal tumor;
esophageal cancers such as but not limited to, squamous cancer,
adenocarcinoma, adenoid cyctic carcinoma, mucoepidermoid carcinoma,
adenosquamous carcinoma, sarcoma, melanoma, plasmacytoma, verrucous
carcinoma, and oat cell (small cell) carcinoma; stomach cancers
such as but not limited to, adenocarcinoma, fungaling (polypoid),
ulcerating, superficial spreading, diffusely spreading, malignant
lymphoma, liposarcoma, fibrosarcoma, and carcinosarcoma; colon
cancers; rectal cancers; liver cancers such as but not limited to
hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatoblastoma, gallbladder cancers
such as adenocarcinoma; cholangiocarcinomas such as but not limited
to pappillary, nodular, and diffuse; lung cancers such as non-small
cell lung cancer, squamous cell carcinoma (epidermoid carcinoma),
adenocarcinoma, large-cell carcinoma and small-cell lung cancer;
testicular cancers such as but not limited to germinal tumor,
seminoma, anaplastic, classic (typical), spermatocytic,
nonseminoma, embryonal carcinoma, teratoma carcinoma,
choriocarcinoma (yolk-sac tumor), prostate cancers such as but not
limited to, adenocarcinoma, leiomyosarcoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma;
penal cancers; oral cancers such as but not limited to squamous
cell carcinoma; basal cancers; salivary gland cancers such as but
not limited to adenocarcinoma, mucoepidermoid carcinoma, and
adenoidcystic carcinoma; pharynx cancers such as but not limited to
squamous cell cancer, and verrucous; skin cancers such as but not
limited to, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and
melanoma, superficial spreading melanoma, nodular melanoma, lentigo
malignant melanoma, acral lentiginous melanoma; kidney cancers such
as but not limited to renal cell cancer, adenocarcinoma,
hypemephroma, fibrosarcoma, transitional cell cancer (renal pelvis
and/or uterer); Wilms' tumor; bladder cancers such as but not
limited to transitional cell carcinoma, squamous cell cancer,
adenocarcinoma, carcinosarcoma. In addition, cancers include
myxosarcoma, osteogenic sarcoma, endotheliosarcoma,
lymphangioendotheliosarcoma, mesothelioma, synovioma,
hemangioblastoma, epithelial carcinoma, cystadenocarcinoma,
bronchogenic carcinoma, sweat gland carcinoma, sebaceous gland
carcinoma, papillary carcinoma and papillary adenocarcinomas (for a
review of such disorders, see Fishman et al., 1985, Medicine, 2d
Ed., J.B. Lippincott Co., Philadelphia and Murphy et al., 1997,
Informed Decisions: The Complete Book of Cancer Diagnosis,
Treatment, and Recovery, Viking Penguin, Penguin Books U.S.A.,
Inc., United States of America). It is also contemplated that
cancers caused by aberrations in apoptosis can also be treated by
the methods and compositions of the invention. Such cancers may
include, but not be limited to, follicular lymphomas, carcinomas
with p53 mutations, hormone dependent tumors of the breast,
prostate and ovary, and precancerous lesions such as familial
adenomatous polyposis, and myelodysplastic syndromes.
[0329] Therapies and dosages, routes of administration, and
recommended usage of therapies for preventing, treating, managing,
and/or ameliorating proliferative disorders or one or more symptoms
thereof are known in the art and have been described in such
literature as the Physician's Desk Reference (57th ed., 2003).
[0330] 5.3.2 Inflammatory Disorders
[0331] One or more antibodies of the invention and compositions
comprising of said antibodies can be used to prevent, treat,
manage, and/or ameliorate an inflammatory disorder or one or more
symptoms thereof. The antibodies of the invention or compositions
comprising said antibodies may also be administered in combination
with one or more other therapies (e.g., one or more prophylactic or
therapeutic agents other than antibodies of the invention) useful
for the prevention, treatment, management, and/or amelioration of
an inflammatory disorder or one or more symptoms thereof.
Non-limiting examples of such therapies include the agents
described in section 5.2, supra, and in particular, the
immunomodulatory agents described in section 5.2.1, the
anti-angiogenic agents described in section 5.2.2, the TNF-.alpha.
antagonists described in section 5.2.3, the anti-inflammatory
agents described in section 5.2.4., the anti-cancer agents
described in section 5.2.5, the anti-viral agents described in
section 5.2.6, the anti-bacterial agents described in section
5.2.7, and the anti-fungal agents described in section 5.2.8.
[0332] In a specific embodiment, the invention provides a method of
preventing, treating, managing, and/or ameliorating an inflammatory
disorder or one or more symptoms thereof, said method comprising
administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount one
or more antibodies of the invention. In another embodiment, the
invention provides a method of preventing, treating, managing,
and/or ameliorating an inflammatory disorder or one or more
symptoms thereof, said method comprising administering to a subject
in need thereof of an effective amount of one or more of the
antibodies of the invention and an effective amount of one or more
therapies (e.g., one or more prophylactic or therapeutic agents)
other than antibodies of the invention.
[0333] The invention provides methods for preventing, treating,
managing, and/or ameliorating an inflammatory disorder or one or
more symptoms thereof in a subject refractory to conventional
therapies (e.g., methotrexate and a TNF-.alpha. antagonist (e.g.,
REMICADE.TM. or ENBREL.TM.)) for such an inflammatory disorder,
said methods comprising administering to said subject an effective
amount of one or more antibodies of the invention. The invention
also provides methods for preventing, treating, managing, and/or
ameliorating an inflammatory disorder or one or more symptoms
thereof in a subject refractory to existing single agent therapies
for such an inflammatory disorder, said methods comprising
administering to said subject in need thereof an effective amount
of one or more antibodies of the invention and an effective amount
of one or more therapies (e.g., one or more prophylactic or
therapeutic agents), other than antibodies of the invention. The
invention also provides methods for preventing, treating, managing,
and/or ameliorating an inflammatory disorder in patients who have
proven refractory to other therapies but are no longer on these
therapies. The invention also provides alternative methods for the
prevention, treatment, management, and/or amelioration of an
inflammatory disorder where another therapy has proven or may prove
too toxic, i.e., results in unacceptable or unbearable side
effects, for the subject being treated. Further, the invention
provides methods for preventing the recurrence of an inflammatory
disorder in patients that have been treated and have no disease
activity.
[0334] Examples of the inflammatory disorders which can be
prevented, managed, treated, and/or ameliorated in accordance with
the methods of the invention, include, but are not limited to,
asthma, allergic disorders, inflammatory disorders characterized by
type-2 mediated inflammation, pulmonary fibrosis, chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), encephilitis, inflammatory
bowel disease, septic shock, undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy,
undifferentiated arthropathy, arthritis, inflammatory osteolysis,
and chronic inflammation resulting from chronic viral or bacteria
infections. In a preferred embodiment, the inflammatory disorder
which is prevented, treated, managed, and/or ameliorated in
accordance with the methods of the invention is an inflammatory
disorder characterized as a type 2-mediated inflammation. Type
2-mediated inflammation is characterized by eosinophilic and
basophilic tissue infiltration and/or extensive mast cell
degranulation, a process dependent on cross-linking of
surface-bound IgE. In another preferred embodiment, the
inflammatory disorder which is prevented, treated, managed, and/or
ameliorated in accordance with the methods of the invention is
asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary
fibrosis, or an allergic disorder.
[0335] In a specific embodiment, an effective amount of one or more
antibodies of the invention is administered to a subject to
prevent, treat, manage, and/or ameliorate asthma or one or more
symptoms thereof in combination with an effective amount of one or
more therapies (e.g., one or more prophylactic or therapeutic
agents) other than antibodies of the invention useful, in
preventing, treating, managing, and/or ameliorating asthma or one
or more symptoms thereof. Non-limiting examples of such therapies
include agents such as adrenergic stimulants (e.g., catecholamines
(e.g., epinephrine, isoproterenol, and isoetharine), resorcinols
(e.g., metaproterenol, terbutaline, and fenoterol), saligenins
(e.g. salbutamol)), anticholinergics (e.g., atropine sulfate,
atropine methylnitrate, and ipratropium bromide (ATROVENT.TM.)),
beta2-agonists (e.g. abuterol (VENTOLIN.TM. and PROVENTIL.TM.),
bitolterol (TORNALATE.TM.), levalbuterol (XOPONEX.TM.),
metaproterenol (ALUPENT.TM.), pirbuterol (MAXAIR.TM.), terbutlaine
(BRETHAIRE.TM. and BRETHINE.TM.), albuterol (PROVENTL.TM.,
REPETABS.TM., and VOLMAX.TM.), formoterol (FORADIL AEROLIZER.TM.),
and salmeterol (SEREVENT.TM. and SEREVENT DISKUS.TM.)),
corticosteroids (e.g., methlyprednisolone (MEDROL.TM.), prednisone
(PREDNISONE.TM. and DELTASONE.TM.), and prednisolone (PRELONE.TM.,
PEDIAPRED.TM.)), glucocorticoids (e.g. oral steroids or other
systemic or oral steroids, and inhaled gucocoritcoids), other
steroids, immunosuppressant agents (e.g. methotrexate and gold
salts), leukotriene inhibitors (e.g., montelukast (SINGULAIR.TM.),
zafirlukast (ACCOLATE.TM.), and zileuton (ZYFLO.TM.)), mast cell
modulators (e.g., cromolyn sodium (INTAL.TM.) and nedocromil sodium
(TILADE.TM.)), methylxanthines (e.g., theophylline (UNIPHYL.TM.,
THEO-DUR.TM., SLO-BID.TM., AND TEHO-42.TM.)), and mucolytic agents
(e.g., acetylcysteine)). In a specific embodiment, one or more
antibodies of the invention are administered in combination with
siplizumab (MedImmune, Inc.) to a subject to prevent, treat,
manage, and/or ameliorate asthma or one or more symptoms
thereof.
[0336] The invention encompasses methods of preventing the
development of asthma in a patent expected to suffer from, or at
risk of developing asthma, e.g., patients with genetic disposition
for asthma, patients who have or have had one or more respiratory
infections, infants, infants born prematurely, children, the
elderly, or patients who work with toxic chemicals (i.e., at risk
of developing occupational asthma). In specific embodiments, the
subjects are children who are at risk of developing asthma, e.g.,
children who have or have had a respiratory infection,
particularly, PIV, RSV, and hMPV, have elevated IgE levels, a
family history of asthma, have been exposed to asthma triggers
and/or allergens (e.g., animals, cockroach allergens, and tobacco
smoke), or have experienced wheezing or bronchial
hyperresponsiveness. For a discussion of risk factors for asthma,
see, e.g., Klinnert et al., 2001, Pediatrics 108(4):E69; London et
al., 2001, Epidemiology, 12(5):577-83; Melen et al., 2001, Allergy,
56(7): 464-52; Mochizuki et al., 2001, J Asthma 38(1):1-21; Arruda
et al., 2001, Curr Opin Pulm Med, 7(1):14-19; Castro-Rodriguez et
al., 2000, Am J Respir Crit. Care Med 162: 1403-6; Gold, 2000,
Environ Health Perspect 108: 643-51; and Csonka et al., 2000,
Pediatr Allergy Immuno, 11(4): 225-9.
[0337] In a specific embodiment, an effective amount of one or more
antibodies of the invention is administered to a subject to
prevent, treat, manage, and/or ameliorate an allergy or one or more
symptoms thereof in combination with an effective amount of one or
more therapies (e.g., one or more prophylactic or therapeutic
agents) useful in preventing, treating, managing, and/or
ameliorating allergies or one or more symptoms thereof.
Non-limiting examples of such therapies include agents such as
antimmediator drugs (e.g., antihistamine, see Table 5),
corticosteroids, decongestants, sympathomimetic drugs (e.g.,
.alpha.-adrenergic and .beta.-adrenergic drugs), theophylline and
its derivatives, glucocorticoids, and immunotherapies (e.g.,
repeated long-term injection of allergen, short course
desensitization, and venom immunotherapy).
TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 H.sub.1 Antihistamines Chemical class and
representative drugs Usual daily dosage Ethanolamine Diphehydramine
25-50 mg every 4-6 hours Clemastine 0.34-2.68 mg every 12 hours
Ethylenediamine Tripelennamine 25-50 mg every 4-6 hours Alkylamine
Brompheniramine 4 mg every 4-6 hours; or 8-12 mg of SR form every
8-12 hour Chlorpheniramine 4 mg every 4-6 hours; or 8-12 mg of SR
form every 8-12 hours Triprolidine (1.25 mg/5 ml) 2.5 mg every 4-6
hours Phenothiazine Promethazine 25 mg at bedtime Piperazine
Hydroxyzine 25 mg every 6-8 hours Piperidines Astemizole
(nonsedating) 10 mg/d Azatadine 1-2 mg every 12 hours Cetirzine 10
mg/d Cyproheptadine 4 mg every 6-8 hour Fexofenadine (nonsedating)
60 mg every 12 hours Loratidine (nonsedating) 10 mg every 24
hours
[0338] In one embodiment, an effective amount of one or more
antibodies that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide is
administered in combination with an effective amount of one or more
anti-IgE antibodies to a subject to prevent, treat, manage, and/or
ameliorate an allergy or one or more symptoms thereof. In another
embodiment, an effective amount of one or more antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide is administered with
an effective amount of anti-IgE antibody TNX901 to a subject to
prevent, treat, manage, and/or ameliorate allergy or one or more
symptoms thereof. In another embodiment, an effective amount of one
or more antibodies that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9
polypeptide is administered with an effective amount of anti-IgE
antibody rhuMAb-E25 omalizumab to a subject to prevent, treat,
manage, and/or ameliorate an allergy or one or more symptoms
thereof. In another embodiment, an effective amount of one or more
antibodies that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide is
administered in combination with an effective amount of anti-IgE
antibody HMK-12 to a subject to prevent, treat, manage, and/or
ameliorate an allergy or one or more symptoms. In another
embodiment, an effective amount of one or more antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide is administered in
combination with an effective amount of anti-IgE antibody 6HD5 to a
subject to prevent, treat, manage, and/or ameliorate an allergy or
one or more symptoms. In another embodiment, an effective amount of
one or more antibodies that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9
polypeptide is administered in combination with an effective amount
of anti-IgE antibody MAb Hu-901 to a subject at risk of or with
allergies to a subject to prevent, treat, manage, and/or ameliorate
an allergy or one or more symptoms.
[0339] In a specific embodiment, an effective amount of one or more
antibodies of the invention is administered to a subject in
combination with an effect amount of one or more therapies (e.g.,
prophylactic or therapeutic agents) other than an antibody that
immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide that useful in
preventing, treating, managing, and/or ameliorating COPD or one or
more symptoms thereof. Non-limiting examples of such therapies
include agents such as bronchodilators (e.g. short-acting
.beta..sub.2-adrenergic agonist (e.g., albuterol, pirbuterol,
terbutaline, and metaproterenol), long-acting
.beta..sub.2-adrenergic agonists (e.g., oral sustained-release
albuterol and inhaled salmeterol), anticholinergics (e.g.,
ipratropium bromide), and theophylline and its derivatives
(therapeutic range for theophylline is preferably 10-20 .mu.g/mL)),
glucocorticoids, exogenous .alpha..sub.1AT (e.g., .alpha..sub.1AT
derived from pooled human plasma administered intravenously in a
weekly dose of 60 mg/kg), oxygen, lung transplantation, lung volume
reduction surgery, endotracheal intubation, ventilation support,
yearly influenza vaccine and pneumococcal vaccination with
23-valent polysaccharide, exercise, and smoking cessation.
[0340] In a specific embodiment, an effective amount of one or more
antibodies of the invention is administered to a subject in need
thereof in combination with an effective amount of one or more
therapies (e.g., prophylactic or therapeutic agents) other than
antibodies of the invention useful in preventing, treating,
managing, and/or ameliorating pulmonary fibrosis or one or more
symptoms thereof. Non-limiting examples of such therapies include,
oxygen, corticosteroids (e.g., daily administration of prednisone
beginning at 1-1.5 mg/kg/d (up to 100 mg/d) for six weeks and
tapering slowly over 3-6 months to a minimum maintenance dose of
0.25 mg/kg/d), cytotoxic drugs (e.g., cyclophosphamide at 100-120
mg orally once daily and azathioprine at 3 mg/kg up to 200 mg
orally once daily), bronchodilators (e.g., short- and long-acting
P.sub.2-adrenergic agonists, anticholinergics, and theophylline and
its derivatives), and antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine and
doxylamine).
[0341] In a specific embodiment, an effective amount of one or more
antibodies of the invention is administered in combination with an
effective amount of VITAXIN.TM. (MedImmune, Inc., International
Publication No. WO 00/78815, International Publication No. WO
02/070007 A1, dated Sep. 12, 2002, entitled "Methods of Preventing
or Treating Inflammatory or Autoimmune Disorders by Administering
Integrin AlphaV Beta3 Antagonists," International Publication No.
WO 03/075957 A1, dated Sep. 18, 2003, entitled "The Prevention or
Treatment of Cancer Using Integrin AlphaVBeta3 Antagonists in
Combination With Other Agents," U.S. Patent Pub. No. US
2002/0168360 A1, dated Nov. 14, 2002, entitled "Methods of
Preventing or Treating Inflammatory or Autoimmune Disorders by
Administering Integrin .alpha..sub.v.beta.3 Antagonists in
Combination With Other Prophylactic or Therapeutic Agents," and
International Publication No. WO 03/075741 A2, dated Sep. 18, 2003,
entitled, "Methods of Preventing or Treating Disorders by
Administering an Integrin .alpha..sub.v.beta..sub.3 Antagonist in
Combination With an HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor or a
Bisphosphonate," each of which is incorporated herewith by
reference in its entirety) to a subject to prevent, treat, manage,
and/or ameliorate an inflammatory disorder or one or more symptoms
thereof. In another embodiment, an effective amount of one or more
antibodies of the invention is administered in combination with an
effective amount of siplizumab (MedImmune, Inc., International
Publication No. WO 02/069904) to a subject to prevent, treat,
manage, and/or ameliorate an inflammatory disorder or one or more
symptoms thereof. In another embodiment, an effective amount of one
or more antibodies of the invention is administered in combination
with an effective amount of one or more EphA2 inhibitors (e.g., one
or more anti-EphA2 antibodies (MedImmune, Inc.; International
Publication No. WO 02/102974 A4, dated Dec. 27, 2002, entitled
"Mutant Proteins, High Potency Inhibitory Antibodies and FIMCH
Crystal Structure," International Publication No. 03/094859 A2,
dated Nov. 20, 2003, entitled "EphA2 Monoclonal Antibodies and
Methods of Use Thereof," U.S. Appn. No. 10/436,783; and U.S. Appn.
No. 60/379,368, each of which is incorporated herewith by
reference)) to a subject to prevent, treat, manage, and/or
ameliorate an inflammatory disorder or one or more symptoms
thereof. In yet another preferred embodiment, an effective amount
of one or more antibodies of the invention is administered in
combination with an effective amount of VITAXIN.TM., siplizumab,
and/or EphA2 inhibitor to a subject to prevent, treat, manage,
and/or ameliorate an inflammatory disorder or one or more symptoms
thereof.
[0342] In one embodiment, an effective amount of one or more
antibodies of the invention is administered in combination with an
effective amount of a stem cell factor (c-kit ligand) inhibitor,
such as, but not limited to MAb 7H6, MAb 8H7a, pAb 1337, FK506, and
CsA to a subject to prevent, treat, manage, and/or ameliorate an
inflammatory disorder or one or more symptoms thereof. In
accordance with this embodiment, the stem cell factor inhibitor is
preferably administered locally in the affected area (i.e., the
inflamed area). In another embodiment, an effective amount of one
or more antibodies of the invention is administered in combination
with an effective amount of one or more c-kit receptor inhibitors,
such as, but not limited to STI 571 to a subject to prevent, treat,
manage, and/or ameliorate an inflammatory disorder or one or more
symptoms thereof. In accordance with this embodiment, the c-kit
receptor inhibitor is preferably administered locally in the
affected area.
[0343] In one embodiment, an effective amount of one or more
antibodies of the invention is administered in combination with a
mast cell protease inhibitor to a subject at risk of or with an
inflammatory disorder. In another embodiment, the mast cell
protease inhibitor is a tryptase kinase inhibitor, such as, but not
limited to GW-45, GW-58, and genisteine. In a specific embodiment,
the mast cell protease inhibitor is phosphatidylinositide-3'
(PI3)-kinase inhibitors, such as, but not limited to calphostin C.
In another embodiment, the mast cell protease inhibitor is a
protein kinase inhibitor such as, but not limited to staurosporine.
In accordance with this embodiments, the mast cell protease
inhibitor is preferably administered locally to the affected
area.
[0344] The antibodies of the invention or combination therapies of
the invention may be used as the first, second, third, fourth, or
fifth therapy to prevent, manage, treat, and/or ameliorate an
inflammatory disorder or one or more symptom thereof. The invention
also includes methods of preventing, treating, managing, and/or
ameliorating an inflammatory disorder or one or more symptoms
thereof in a patient undergoing therapies for other disease or
disorders. The invention encompasses methods of preventing,
managing, treating, and/or ameliorating an inflammatory disorder or
one or more symptoms thereof in a patient before any adverse
effects or intolerance to therapies other than antibodies of the
invention develops. The invention also encompasses methods of
preventing, treating, managing, and/or ameliorating an inflammatory
disorder or a symptom thereof in refractory patients. The invention
encompasses methods for preventing, treating, managing, and/or
ameliorating a proliferative disorder or a symptom thereof in a
patient who has proven refractory to therapies other than
antibodies, compositions, or combination therapies of the
invention. The determination of whether a patient is refractory can
be made either in vivo or in vitro by any method known in the art
for assaying the effectiveness of a treatment of proliferative
disorders, using art-accepted meanings of "refractory" such a
context. In certain embodiments, a patient with an inflammatory
disorder is refractory to a therapy when inflammation is not
prevented, managed, and/or alleviated. The invention further
encompasses methods of preventing, managing, treating, and/or
ameliorating an inflammatory disorder or a symptom thereof in
patients who are susceptible to adverse reactions to conventional
therapies.
[0345] The invention encompasses methods for preventing, treating,
managing, and/or ameliorating an inflammatory disorder or a symptom
thereof in a patient who has proven refractory to therapies other
than antibodies that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide
but are no longer on these therapies. In certain embodiments, the
patients being managed or treated in accordance with the methods of
this invention are patients already being treated with
anti-inflammatory agents, antibiotics, anti-viral therapy,
anti-fungals, or other biological therapy/immunotherapy. Among
these patients are refractory patients, patients who are too young
for conventional therapies, and patients with reoccurring
inflammatory disorders despite management or treatment with
existing therapies.
[0346] The present invention encompasses methods for preventing,
treating, managing, and/or ameliorating an inflammatory disorder or
one or more symptoms thereof as an alternative to other
conventional therapies. In specific embodiments, the patient being
managed or treated in accordance with the methods of the invention
is refractory to other therapies or is susceptible to adverse
reactions from such therapies. The patient may be a person with a
suppressed immune system (e.g., post-operative patients,
chemotherapy patients, and patients with immunodeficiency disease,
patients with broncho-pulmonary dysplasia, patients with congenital
heart disease, patients with cystic fibrosis, patients with
acquired or congenital heart disease, and patients suffering from
an infection), a person with impaired renal or liver function, the
elderly, children, infants, infants born prematurely, persons with
neuropsychiatric disorders or those who take psychotropic drugs,
persons with histories of seizures, or persons on medication that
would negatively interact with conventional agents used to prevent,
manage, treat, or ameliorate a viral respiratory infection or one
or more symptoms thereof.
[0347] Anti-inflammatory therapies and their dosages, routes of
administration and recommended usage are known in the art and have
been described in such literature as the Physician's Desk Reference
(57th ed., 2003).
[0348] 5.3.3 Autoimmune Disorders
[0349] One or more antibodies of the invention and compositions
comprising said antibodies can be used to prevent, treat, manage,
and/or ameliorate an autoimmune disorder or one or more symptoms
thereof. An effective amount of one or more of the antibodies of
the invention may also be administered to a subject to prevent,
manage, treat, and/or ameliorate an autoimmune disorder or one or
more symptoms thereof in combination with an effective amount one
or more other therapies (e.g., one or more prophylactic or
therapeutic agents) other than antibodies of the invention which
are useful for the prevention, treatment, management, and/or
amelioration of an autoimmune disorder, to a subject in need
thereof to prevent, treat, manage, and/or ameliorate an autoimmune
disorder or one or more symptoms thereof. Non-limiting examples of
such therapies include the agents described in section 5.2, supra,
and in particular, the immunomodulatory agents described in section
5.2.1, the anti-angiogenic agents described in section 5.2.2, the
TNF-.alpha. antagonists described in section 5.2.3, the
anti-inflammatory agents described in section 5.2.4., the
anti-cancer agents described in section 5.2.5, the anti-viral
agents described in section 5.2.6, the anti-bacterial agents
described in section 5.2.7, and the anti-fungal agents described in
section 5.2.8.
[0350] In a specific embodiment, the invention provides a method of
preventing, treating, managing, and/or ameliorating an autoimmune
disorder or one or more symptoms thereof, said method comprising
administering to a subject in need thereof a dose of an effective
amount of one or more antibodies of the invention. In another
embodiment, the invention provides a method of preventing,
treating, managing, and/or ameliorating an autoimmune disorder or
one or more symptoms thereof, said method comprising administering
to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of one or more
antibodies of the invention and an effective amount of one or more
therapies (e.g., prophylactic or therapeutic agents), other than
antibodies of the invention.
[0351] In autoimmune disorders, the immune system triggers an
immune response when there are no foreign substances to fight and
the body's normally protective immune system causes damage to its
own tissues by mistakenly attacking self. There are many different
autoimmune disorders which affect the body in different ways. For
example, the brain is affected in individuals with multiple
sclerosis, the gut is affected in individuals with Crohn's disease,
and the synovium, bone and cartilage of various joints are affected
in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. As autoimmune disorders
progress destruction of one or more types of body tissues, abnormal
growth of an organ, or changes in organ function may result. The
autoimmune disorder may affect only one organ or tissue type or may
affect multiple organs and tissues. Organs and tissues commonly
affected by autoimmune disorders include red blood cells, blood
vessels, connective tissues, endocrine glands (e.g., the thyroid or
pancreas), muscles, joints, and skin. Examples of autoimmune
disorders that can be prevented, treated, managed, and/or
ameliorated by the methods of the invention include, but are not
limited to, adrenergic drug resistance, alopecia greata, ankylosing
spondylitis, antiphospholipid syndrome, autoimmune Addison's
disease, autoimmune diseases of the adrenal gland, allergic
encephalomyelitis, autoiimmune hemolytic anemia, autoimmune
hepatitis, autoimmune inflammatory eye disease, autoimmune neonatal
thrombocytopenia, autoimmune neutropenia, autoimmune oophoritis and
orchitis, autoimmune thrombocytopenia, autoimmune thyroiditis,
Behcet's disease, bullous pemphigoid, cardiomyopathy, cardiotomy
syndrome, celiac sprue-dermatitis, chronic active hepatitis,
chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS), chronic
inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, Churg-Strauss syndrome,
cicatrical pemphigoid, CREST syndrome, cold agglutinin disease,
Crohn's disease, dense deposit disease, discoid lupus, essential
mixed cryoglobulinemia, fibromyalgia-fibromyositis,
glomerulonephritis (e.g., IgA nephrophathy), gluten-sensitive
enteropathy, Goodpasture's syndrome, Graves' disease,
Guillain-Barre, hyperthyroidism (i.e., Hashimoto's thyroiditis),
idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, idiopathic Addison's disease,
idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP), IgA neuropathy, juvenile
arthritis, lichen planus, lupus erthematosus, Meniere's disease,
mixed connective tissue disease, multiple sclerosis, Myasthenia
Gravis, myocarditis, type 1 or immune-mediated diabetes mellitus,
myasthenia gravis, myocarditis, neuritis, other endocrine gland
failure, pemphigus vulgaris, pernicious anemia, polyarteritis
nodosa, polychrondritis, Polyendocrinopathies, polyglandular
syndromes, polymyalgia rheumatica, polymyositis and
dermatomyositis, post-MI, primary agammaglobulinemia, primary
biliary cirrhosis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Raynauld's
phenomenon, relapsing polychondritis, Reiter's syndrome, rheumatic
heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, scleroderma,
Sjogren's syndrome, stiff-man syndrome, systemic lupus
erythematosus, lupus erythematosus, takayasu arteritis, temporal
arteristis/giant cell arteritis, ulcerative colitis, urticaria,
uveitis, Uveitis Opthalmia, vasculitides such as dermatitis
herpetiformis vasculitis, vitiligo, and Wegener's
granulomatosis.
[0352] In specific embodiment, an effective amount of one or more
antibodies of the invention is administered to prevent, treat,
manage, and/or ameliorate multiple sclerosis or one or more
symptoms thereof in combination with an effective amount of one or
more therapies (e.g., one or more prophylactic or therapeutic
agents), other than antibodies of the invention, useful in
preventing, treating, managing, and/or ameliorating multiple
sclerosis (MS) or one or more symptoms thereof. Non-limiting
examples of such therapies include agents such as IFN-.beta.1b
(BETSERON.RTM.) (e.g., 8.0 million international unites (MIU) is
administered by subcutaneous injection every other day),
IFN-.beta.1a (AVONEX.TM.) (e.g., 6.0 MIU is administered by
intramuscular injection once every week), glatiramer acetate
(COPAXONE.RTM.) (e.g., 20 mg is administered by subcutaneous
injection every day), mitoxantrone (e.g., 12 mg/m.sup.2 is
administered by intravenous infusion every third month),
azathioprine (e.g., 2-3 mg/kg body weight is administered orally
each day), methotrexate (e.g., 7.5 mg is administered orally once
each week), cyclophosphamide, intravenous immunoglobulin (e.g.,
0.15-0.2 g/kg body weight administered monthly for up to 2 years),
glucocorticoids, methylprednisolone (e.g., administered in
bimonthly cycles at high doses), 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine (e.g.,
cladribine (LEUSTATIN.RTM.), baclofen (e.g., 15 to 80 mg/d in
divided doses, or orally in higher doses up to 240 mg/d, or
intrathecally via an indwelling catheter), cycloenzaprine
hydrochloride (e.g., 5-10 mg bid or tid), clonazepam (e.g., 0.5 to
1.0 mg tid, including bedtime dose), clonidine hydrochloride (e.g.,
0.1 to 0.2 mg tid, including a bedtime dose), carbamazepine (e.g.,
100-1200 mg/d in divided, escalating doses), gabapentin (e.g.,
300-3600 mg/d), dilantin (e.g., 300-400 mg/d), amitriptyline (e.g.,
25-150 mg/d), baclofen (e.g., 10-80 mg/d), primidone (e.g., 125-250
mg bid or tid), ondansetron (e.g., 4 to 8 mg bid or tid), isoniazid
(e.g., up to 1200 mg in divided doses), oxybutynin (e.g., 5 mg bid
or tid), tolterodine (e.g., 1-2 mg bid), propantheline (e.g., 7.5
to 15 mg qid), bethanecol (e.g., 10-50 mg tid or qid), terazosin
hydrochloride (e.g., 1-5 mg at bedtime), sildenafil citrate (e.g.,
50-100 mg po pm), amantading (e.g., 100 mg bid), pemoline (e.g.,
37.5 mg bid), high dose vitamins, calcium orotate, gancyclovir,
antibiotic, and plasma exchange.
[0353] In specific embodiment, an effective amount of one or more
antibodies of the invention is administered to a subject to
prevent, manage, treat, and/or ameliorate psoriasis or one or more
symptoms thereof in combination with an effective amount of one or
more therapies (e.g., one or more prophylactic or therapeutic
agents), other than antibodies of the invention, useful in
preventing, treating, managing, and/or ameliorating psoriasis or
one or more symptoms thereof. Non-limiting examples of such
therapies include agents such as a topical steroid cream or
ointment, tar (e.g., ESTAR.RTM., PSORIGEL.RTM., FOTOTAR.RTM., and
LCD 10% in Nutraderm lotion or mixed directly with triamcinolone
0.1% cream)), occlusion, topical vitamin D analogue (e.g.,
calcipotriene ointment), ultraviolet light PUVA (psoralen plus
ultraviolet A), methotrexate (e.g., up to 25 mg once weekly or in
divided doses every 12 hours for three doses once a week),
synthetic retinoid (e.g., etretinate in dosage of 0.5-1 mg/kg/d),
immunomodulatory therapy (e.g., cyclosporine); and sulfasalazine
(e.g., in dosages of 1 g three times daily).
[0354] In specific embodiment, an effective amount of one or more
antibodies of the invention is administered to a subject to
prevent, treat, manage, and/or ameliorate Crohn's disease or a
symptom thereof in combination with an effective amount of one or
more therapies (e.g., one or more prophylactic or therapeutic
agents), other than antibodies of the invention, useful in
preventing, treating, managing, and/or ameliorating Crohn's disease
or one or more symptoms thereof. Non-limiting examples of such
therapies include antidiarrheals (e.g., loperamide 2-4 mg up to 4
times a day, diphenoxylate with atropine 1 tablet up to 4 times a
day, tincture of opium 8-15 drops up to 4 times a day,
cholestyramine 2-4 g or colestipol 5 g once or twice daily),
antispasmodics (e.g., propantheline 15 mg, dicyclomine 10-20 mg, or
hyoscyamine 0.125 mg given before meals), 5-aminosalicylic acid
agents (e.g., sulfasalazine 1.5-2 g twice daily, mesalamine
(ASACOL.RTM.) and its slow release form (PENTASA.RTM.), especially
at high dosages, e.g., PENTASA.RTM. 1 g four times daily and
ASACOL.RTM. 0.8-1.2 g four times daily), corticosteroids,
immunomodulatory drugs (e.g., azathioprine (1-2 mg/kg),
mercaptopurine (50-100 mg), cyclosporine, and methotrexate),
antibiotics, TNF inhibitors (e.g., inflixmab (REMICADE.RTM.)),
immunosuppressive agents (e.g., tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil,
and thalidomide), anti-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-10 and
IL-11), nutritional therapies, enteral therapy with elemental diets
(e.g., Vivonex for 4 weeks), and total parenteral nutrition.
[0355] In another specific embodiment, an effective amount of one
or more antibodies of the invention is administered to a subject to
prevent, treat, manage, and/or ameliorate lupus erythematosus or
one or more symptoms thereof in combination with an effective
amount of one or more therapies (e.g., prophylactic or therapeutic
agents), other than antibodies of the invention, useful in
preventing, treating, managing, and/or ameliorating lupus
erythematosus or one or more symptoms thereof. Non-limiting
examples of such therapies include antimalarials (e.g.,
hydroxychloroquine), glucocorticoids (e.g., low dose, high dose, or
high-dose intravenous pulse therapy), immunosuppressive agents
(e.g., cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, and azanthioprine),
cytotoxic agents (e.g., methotrexate and mycophenolate mofetil),
androgenic steroids (e.g., danazol), and anticoagulants (e.g.,
warfarin).
[0356] In a specific embodiment, an prophylactically or
therapeutically effective amount of one or more antibodies of the
invention is administered in combination with an effective amount
of VITAXI M (MedImmune, Inc., International Publication No. WO
00/78815, International Publication No. WO 02/070007 A1, dated Sep.
12, 2002, entitled "Methods of Preventing or Treating Inflammatory
or Autoimmune Disorders by Administering Integrin AlphaV Beta3
Antagonists," International Publication No. WO 03/075957 A1, dated
Sep. 18, 2003, entitled "The Prevention or Treatment of Cancer
Using Integrin AlphaVBeta3 Antagonists in Combination With Other
Agents," U.S. Patent Pub. No. US 2002/0168360 A1, dated Nov. 14,
2002, entitled "Methods of Preventing or Treating Inflammatory or
Autoimmune Disorders by Administering Integrin .alpha..sub.v.beta.3
Antagonists in Combination With Other Prophylactic or Therapeutic
Agents," and International Publication No. WO 03/075741 A2, dated
Sep. 18, 2003, entitled, "Methods of Preventing or Treating
Disorders by Administering an Integrin .alpha..sub.v.beta..sub.3
Antagonist in Combination With an HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor or a
Bisphosphonate," each of which is incorporated herewith by
reference in its entirety) to a subject to prevent, treat, manage,
and/or ameliorate an autoimmune disorder or one or more symptoms
thereof. In another preferred embodiment, an effective amount of
one or more antibodies of the invention is administered in
combination with an effective amount of siplizumab (MedImmune,
Inc., International Publication No. WO 02/069904) to a subject to
prevent, treat, manage, and/or ameliorate an autoimmune disorder or
one or more symptoms thereof. In another embodiment, an effective
amount of one or more antibodies of the invention is administered
in combination with an effective amount of one or more EphA2
inhibitors (e.g., one or more anti-EphA2 antibodies (MedImmune,
Inc.; International Publication No. WO 02/102974 A4, dated Dec. 27,
2002, entitled "Mutant Proteins, High Potency Inhibitory Antibodies
and FIMCH Crystal Structure," International Publication No.
03/094859 A2, dated Nov. 20, 2003, entitled "EphA2 Monoclonal
Antibodies and Methods of Use Thereof," U.S. Appn. No. 10/436,783;
and U.S. Appn. No. 60/379,368, each of which is incorporated
herewith by reference)) to a subject to prevent, treat, manage,
and/or ameliorate an autoimmune disorder or one or more symptoms
thereof. In yet another embodiment, an effective amount of one or
more antibodies of the invention is administered in combination
with an effective amount of VITAXIN.TM., siplizumab, and/or EphA2
inhibitor to a subject to prevent, treat, manage, and/or ameliorate
an autoimmune disorder or one or more symptoms thereof.
[0357] The antibodies of the invention or combination therapies of
the invention may be used as the first, second, third, fourth, or
fifth therapy to prevent, manage, treat, and/or ameliorate an
autoimmune disorder or one or more symptom thereof. The invention
also includes methods of preventing, treating, managing, and/or
ameliorating an autoimmune disorder or one or more symptoms thereof
in a patient undergoing therapies for other disease or disorders.
The invention encompasses methods of preventing, managing,
treating, and/or ameliorating an autoimmune disorder or one or more
symptoms thereof in a patient before any adverse effects or
intolerance to therapies other than antibodies of the invention
develops. The invention also encompasses methods of preventing,
treating, managing, and/or ameliorating an autoimmune disorder or a
symptom thereof in refractory patients. The invention encompasses
methods for preventing, treating, managing, and/or ameliorating a
proliferative disorder or a symptom thereof in a patient who has
proven refractory to therapies other than antibodies, compositions,
or combination therapies of the invention. The determination of
whether a patient is refractory can be made either in vivo or in
vitro by any method known in the art for assaying the effectiveness
of a treatment of autoimmune disorders, using art-accepted meanings
of "refractory" such a context. In certain embodiments, a patent
with an autoimmune disorder is refractory to a therapy when one or
more symptoms of an autoimmune disorder is not prevented, managed,
and/or alleviated. The invention also encompasses methods of
preventing, managing, treating, and/or ameliorating an autoimmune
disorder or a symptom thereof in patients who are susceptible to
adverse reactions to conventional therapies.
[0358] The invention encompasses methods for preventing, treating,
managing, and/or ameliorating an proliferative disorder or a
symptom thereof in a patient who has proven refractory to therapies
other than antibodies that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9
polypeptide but are no longer on these therapies. In certain
embodiments, the patients being managed or treated in accordance
with the methods of this invention are patients already being
treated with anti-inflammatory agents, immunomodulatory agents,
antibiotics, anti-viral therapy, anti-fungals, or other biological
therapy/immunotherapy. Among these patients are refractory
patients, patients who are too young for conventional therapies,
and patients with reoccurring allergic reactions despite management
or treatment with existing therapies.
[0359] The present invention encompasses methods for preventing,
treating, managing, and/or ameliorating an autoimmune disorder or
one or more symptoms thereof as an alternative to other
conventional therapies. In specific embodiments, the patient being
managed or treated in accordance with the methods of the invention
is refractory to other therapies or is susceptible to adverse
reactions from such therapies. The patient may be a person with a
suppressed immune system (e.g., post-operative patients,
chemotherapy patients, and patients with immunodeficiency disease,
patients with broncho-pulmonary dysplasia, patients with congenital
heart disease, patients with cystic fibrosis, patients with
acquired or congenital heart disease, and patients suffering from
an infection), a person with impaired renal or liver function, the
elderly, children, infants, infants born prematurely, persons with
neuropsychiatric disorders or those who take psychotropic drugs,
persons with histories of seizures, or persons on medication that
would negatively interact with conventional agents used to prevent,
manage, treat, or ameliorate a viral respiratory infection or one
or more symptoms thereof.
[0360] Autoimmune therapies and their dosages, routes of
administration and recommended usage are known in the art and have
been described in such literature as the Physician's Desk Reference
(57th ed., 2003).
[0361] 5.3.4 Viral Infections
[0362] One or more antibodies of the invention and compositions
comprising said antibodies can be administered to a subject to
prevent, treat, manage, and/or ameliorate a viral infection or one
or more symptoms thereof. One or more antibodies of the invention
and compositions comprising said antibodies may be administered in
combination with one or more other therapies (e.g., one or more
prophylactic or therapeutic agents) other than antibodies of the
invention useful for the prevention, treatment, management, or
amelioration of a viral infection to a subject predisposed to or
with a viral infection, preferably a respiratory viral infection.
Non-limiting examples of such therapies include the agents
described in section 5.2, supra, and in particular, the
immunomodulatory agents described in section 5.2.1, the
anti-angiogenic agents described in section 5.2.2, the TNF-.alpha.
antagonists described in section 5.2.3, the anti-inflammatory
agents described in section 5.2.4., the anti-cancer agents
described in section 5.2.5, the anti-viral agents described in
section 5.2.6, the anti-bacterial agents described in section
5.2.7, and the anti-fungal agents described in section 5.2.8.
[0363] In a specific embodiment, the invention provides methods of
preventing, treating, managing, and/or ameliorating a viral
respiratory infection or one or more symptoms thereof, said method
comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective
amount of one or more antibodies of the invention. In another
embodiment, the invention provides a method of preventing,
treating, managing, and/or ameliorating a viral respiratory
infection or one or more symptoms thereof, said method comprising
administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of
one or more antibodies of the invention and an effective amount of
one or more therapies (e.g., one or more prophylactic or
therapeutic agents) other than antibodies of the invention.
[0364] In certain embodiments, an effective amount of one or more
antibodies of the invention is administered in combination with an
effective amount of one or more therapies (e.g., one or more
prophylactic or therapeutic agents) currently being used, have been
used, or are known to be useful in the prevention, management,
treatment, and/or amelioration of a viral infection, preferably a
viral respiratory infection, or one or more symptoms thereof to a
subject in need thereof. Therapies for a viral infection,
preferably a viral respiratory infection include, but are not
limited to, anti-viral agents such as amantadine, oseltamivir,
ribaviran, palivizumab, and anamivir. In certain embodiments, an
effective amount of one or more antibodies of the invention is
administered in combination with one or more supportive measures to
a subject in need thereof to prevent, manage, treat, and/or
ameliorate a viral infection or one or more symptoms thereof.
Non-limiting examples of supportive measures include humidification
of the air by an ultrasonic nebulizer, aerolized racemic
epinephrine, oral dexamethasone, intravenous fluids, intubation,
fever reducers (e.g., ibuprofen, acetometaphin), and antibiotic
and/or anti-fungal therapy (i.e., to prevent or treat secondary
bacterial infections).
[0365] Any type of viral infection or condition resulting from or
associated with a viral infection (e.g., a respiratory condition)
can be prevented, treated, managed, and/or ameliorated in
accordance with the methods of the invention, said methods
comprising administering an effective amount of one or more
antibodies of the invention alone or in combination with an
effective amount of another therapy (e.g., a prophylactic or
therapeutic agent other than antibodies of the invention). Examples
of viruses which cause viral infections include, but are not
limited to, retroviruses (e.g., human T-cell lymphotrophic virus
(HTLV) types I and II and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)),
herpes viruses (e.g., herpes simplex virus (HSV) types I and II,
Epstein-Barr virus, HHV6-HHV8, and cytomegalovirus), arenavirues
(e.g., lassa fever virus), paramyxoviruses (e.g., morbillivirus
virus, human respiratory syncytial virus, mumps, hMPV, and
pneumovirus), adenoviruses, bunyaviruses (e.g., hantavirus),
comaviruses, filoviruses (e.g., Ebola virus), flaviviruses (e.g.,
hepatitis C virus (HCV), yellow fever virus, and Japanese
encephalitis virus), hepadnaviruses (e.g., hepatitis B viruses
(HBV)), orthomyoviruses (e.g., influenza viruses A, B and C and
PIV), papovaviruses (e.g., papillomavirues), picornaviruses (e.g.,
rhinoviruses, enteroviruses and hepatitis A viruses), poxviruses,
reoviruses (e.g., rotavirues), togaviruses (e.g., rubella virus),
and rhabdoviruses (e.g., rabies virus). Biological responses to a
viral infection include, but not limited to, elevated levels of IgE
antibodies, increased proliferation and/or infiltration of T cells,
increased proliferation and/or infiltration of B cells, epithelial
hyperplasia, and mucin production. In a specific embodiment, the
invention also provides methods of preventing, treating, managing,
and/or ameliorating viral respiratory infections that are
associated with or cause the common cold, viral pharyngitis, viral
laryngitis, viral croup, viral bronchitis, influenza, parainfluenza
viral diseases ("PIV") diseases (e.g., croup, bronchiolitis,
bronchitis, pneumonia), respiratory syncytial virus ("RSV")
diseases, metapneumavirus diseases, and adenovirus diseases (e.g.,
febrile respiratory disease, croup, bronchitis, pneumonia), said
method comprising administering an effective amount of one or more
antibodies of the invention alone or in combination with an
effective amount of another therapy.
[0366] In a specific embodiment, influenza virus infections, PIV
infections, hMPV infections, adenovirus infections, and/or RSV
infections, or one or more of symptoms thereof are prevented,
treated, managed, and/and/or ameliorated in accordance with the
methods of the invention. In a specific embodiment, the invention
provides methods for preventing, treating, managing, and/or
ameliorating a RSV respiratory infection or one or more symptoms
thereof, said methods comprising administering to a subject in need
thereof an effective amount of one or more antibodies of the
invention alone or in combination with one or more anti-viral
agents such as, but not limited to, amantadine, rimantadine,
oseltamivir, znamivir, ribaviran, RSV-IVIG (i.e., intravenous
immune globulin infusion) (RESPIGAM.TM.), and palivizumab. In a
specific embodiment, the invention provides methods for preventing,
treating, managing, and/or ameliorating a PIV infection or one or
more symptoms thereof, said methods comprising administering to a
subject in need thereof an effective amount of one or more
antibodies of the invention alone or in combination with an
effective amount of one or more anti-viral agents such as, but not
limited to, amantadine, rimantadine, oseltamivir, znamivir,
ribaviran, and palivizumab. In another specific embodiment, the
invention provides methods for preventing, treating, managing,
and/or ameliorating a hMPV infection or one or more symptoms
thereof, said methods comprising of administering an effective
amount of one or more antibodies of the invention alone or in
combination with an effective amount of one or more anti-viral
agents, such as, but not limited to, amantadine, rimantadine,
oseltamivir, znamivir, ribaviran, and palivizumab to a subject in
need thereof. In a specific embodiment, the invention provides
methods for preventing, treating, managing, and/or ameliorating
influenza, said methods comprising administering an effective
amount of one or more antibodies of the invention alone or in
combination with an effective amount of an anti-viral agent such
as, but not limited to zanamivir (RELENZA.RTM.), oseltamivir
(TAMWFLU.RTM.), rimantadine, and amantadine (SYMADINE.RTM.;
SYMMETREL.RTM.) to a subject in need thereof.
[0367] The invention provides methods for preventing the
development of asthma in a subject who suffers from or had suffered
from a viral respiratory infection, said methods comprising
adminsitering an effective amount of one or more antibodies of the
invention alone or in combination with an effective amount of
another therapy. In a specific embodiment, the subject is an infant
born prematurely, an infant, or a child. In another specific
embodiment, the subject suffered from or suffers from RSV
infection.
[0368] In a specific embodiment, the invention provides methods for
preventing, treating, managing, and/or ameliorating one or more
secondary responses to a primary viral infection, said methods
comprising of administering an effective amount of one or more
antibodies of the invention alone or in combination with an
effective amount of other therapies (e.g., other prophylactic or
therapeutic agents). Examples of secondary responses to a primary
viral infection, particularly a primary viral respiratory
infection, include, but are not limited to, asthma-like
responsiveness to mucosal stimula, elevated total respiratory
resistance, increased susceptibility to secondary viral, bacterial,
and fungal infections, and development of such conditions such as,
but not limited to, pneumonia, croup, and febrile bronchitis.
[0369] In a specific embodiment, the invention provides methods of
preventing, treating, managing, and/or ameliorating a viral
infection or one or more symptoms thereof, said methods comprising
administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of
one or more antibodies of the invention in combination with an
effective amount of VITAXIN.TM. (MedImmune, Inc., International
Publication No. WO 00/78815, International Publication No. WO
02/070007 A1, dated Sep. 12, 2002, entitled "Methods of Preventing
or Treating Inflammatory or Autoimmune Disorders by Administering
Integrin AlphaV Beta3 Antagonists," International Publication No.
WO 03/075957 A1, dated Sep. 18, 2003, entitled "The Prevention or
Treatment of Cancer Using Integrin AlphaVBeta3 Antagonists in
Combination With Other Agents," U.S. Patent Pub. No. US
2002/0168360 A1, dated Nov. 14, 2002, entitled "Methods of
Preventing or Treating Inflammatory or Autoimmune Disorders by
Administering Integrin .alpha..sub.v.beta.3 Antagonists in
combination With Other Prophylactic or Therapeutic Agents," and
International Publication No. WO 03/075741 A2, dated Sep. 18, 2003,
entitled, "Methods of Preventing or Treating Disorders by
Administering an Integrin .alpha.v.beta.3 Antagonist in Combination
With an HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor or a Bisphosphonate," each of
which is incorporated herewith by reference in its entirety). In
another specific embodiment, the invention provides methods for
preventing, treating, managing, and/or ameliorating a viral
infection or one or more symptoms thereof, said methods comprising
administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of
one or more antibodies of the invention in combination with an
effective amount of siplizumab (MedImmune, Inc., International Pub.
No. WO 02/069904). In another embodiment, the invention provides
methods for preventing, treating, managing, and/or ameliorating a
viral infection or one or more symptoms thereof, said methods
comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective
amount of one or more antibodies of the invention in combination
with an effective amount of one or more EphA2 inhibitors (e.g., one
or more anti-EphA2 antibodies (MedImmune, Inc.; International
Publication No. WO 02/102974 A4, dated Dec. 27, 2002, entitled
"Mutant Proteins, High Potency Inhibitory Antibodies and FIMCH
Crystal Structure," International Publication No. 03/094859 A2,
dated Nov. 20, 2003, entitled "EphA2 Monoclonal Antibodies and
Methods of Use Thereof," U.S. Appn. No. 10/436,783; and U.S. Appn.
No. 60/379,368, each of which is incorporated herewith by
reference)). In yet another embodiment, the invention provides
methods for preventing, treating, managing, and/or ameliorating a
viral infection or one or more symptoms thereof, said methods
comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective
amount of one or more antibodies of the invention in combination
with an effective amount of VITAXIN.TM., siplizumab, and/or
EphA2.
[0370] In one embodiment, an effective amount of one or more
antibodies of the invention is administered in combination with an
effective amount of one or more anti-IgE antibodies to a subject to
prevent, treat, manage, and/or ameliorate a viral infection or one
or more symptoms thereof. In a specific embodiment, an effective
amount of one or more antibodies of the invention is administered
in combination with an effective amount of anti-IgE antibody TNX901
to a subject to prevent, treat, manage, and/or ameliorate a viral
infection or one or more symptoms thereof. In a specific
embodiment, an effective amount of one or more antibodies of the
invention is administered in combination with an effective amount
of anti-gE antibody rhuMAb-E25 omalizumab to a subject to prevent,
treat, manage, and/or ameliorate a viral infection or one or more
symptoms thereof. In another embodiment, an effective amount of one
or more antibodies of the invention is administered in combination
with an effective amount of anti-IgE antibody HMK-12 to a subject
to prevent, treat, manage, and/or ameliorate a viral infection or
one or more symptoms thereof. In a specific embodiment, an
effective amount of one or more antibodies of the invention is
administered in combination with an effective amount of anti-IgE
antibody 6HD5 to a subject to prevent, treat, manage, and/or
ameliorate a viral infection or one or more symptoms thereof. In
another embodiment, an effective amount of one or more antibodies
of the invention is administered in combination with an effective
amount of anti-IgE antibody MAb Hu-901 to a subject to prevent,
treat, manage, and/or ameliorate a viral infection or one or more
symptoms thereof.
[0371] The invention encompasses methods for preventing the
development of viral infections, preferably viral respiratory
infections, in a patient expected to suffer from a viral infection
or at increased risk of such an infection, e.g., patients with
suppressed immune systems (e.g., organ-transplant recipients, AIDS
patients, patients undergoing chemotherapy, the elderly, infants
born prematurely, infants, children, patients with carcinoma of the
esophagus with obstruction, patients with tracheobronchial fistula,
patients with neurological diseases (e.g., caused by stroke,
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, and myopathies),
and patients already suffering from a respiratory infection). The
patients may or may not have been previously treated for a
respiratory infection.
[0372] The antibodies of the invention, compositions, or
combination therapies of the invention may be used as the first,
second, third, fourth, or fifth therapy to prevent, manage, treat,
and/or ameliorate a viral infection, preferably a viral respiratory
infection, or one or more symptom thereof. The invention also
includes methods of preventing, treating, managing, and/or
ameliorating a viral infection, preferably a viral respiratory
infection, or one or more symptoms thereof in a patient undergoing
therapies for other diseases or disorders associated with or
characterized by aberrant expression and/or activity of an IL-9
polypeptide, disease or disorders associated with or characterized
by aberrant expression and/or activity of an IL-9R or one or more
subunits thereof, inflammatory disorders, autoimmune disorders,
proliferative disorders, or infections (preferably, respiratory
infections). The invention encompasses methods of preventing,
managing, treating, and/or ameliorating a viral infection,
preferably a viral respiratory infection, or one or more symptoms
thereof in a patient before any adverse effects or intolerance to
therapies other than antibodies of the invention develops. The
invention also encompasses methods of preventing, treating,
managing, and/or ameliorating a viral infection, preferably a viral
respiratory infection, or a symptom thereof in refractory patients.
In certain embodiments, a patient with a viral infection,
preferably a viral respiratory infection, is refractory to a
therapy when the infection has not significantly been eradicated
and/or the symptoms have not been significantly alleviated. The
determination of whether a patient is refractory can be made either
in vivo or in vitro by any method known in the art for assaying the
effectiveness of a treatment of infections, using art-accepted
meanings of "refractory" in such a context. In various embodiments,
a patient with a viral respiratory infection is refractory when
viral replication has not decreased or has increased. The invention
also encompasses methods of preventing the onset or reoccurrence of
viral respiratory infections in patients at risk of developing such
infections. The invention also encompasses methods of preventing,
managing, treating, and/or ameliorating a viral infection,
preferably a viral respiratory infection, or a symptom thereof in
patients who are susceptible to adverse reactions to conventional
therapies. The invention further encompasses methods for
preventing, treating, managing, and/or ameliorating a viral
infection, preferably a viral respiratory infection, for which no
anti-viral therapy is available.
[0373] The invention encompasses methods for preventing, treating,
managing, and/or ameliorating a viral infection, preferably a viral
respiratory infection, or a symptom thereof in a patient who has
proven refractory to therapies other than antibodies of the
invention but are no longer on these therapies. In certain
embodiments, the patients being managed or treated in accordance
with the methods of this invention are patients already being
treated with antibiotics, anti-virals, anti-fungals, or other
biological therapy/immunotherapy. Among these patients are
refractory patients, patients who are too young for conventional
therapies, and patients with reoccurring viral infections despite
management or treatment with existing therapies.
[0374] The present invention encompasses methods for preventing,
treating, managing, and/or ameliorating a viral infection,
preferably a viral respiratory infection, or one or more symptoms
thereof as an alternative to other conventional therapies. In
specific embodiments, the patient being managed or treated in
accordance with the methods of the invention is refractory to other
therapies or is susceptible to adverse reactions from such
therapies. The patient may be a person with a suppressed immune
system (e.g., post-operative patients, chemotherapy patients, and
patients with immunodeficiency disease), a person with impaired
renal or liver function, the elderly, children, infants, infants
born prematurely, persons with neuropsychiatric disorders or those
who take psychotropic drugs, persons with histories of seizures, or
persons on medication that would negatively interact with
conventional agents used to prevent, manage, treat, and/or
ameliorate a viral infection or one or more symptoms thereof.
[0375] Viral infection therapies and their dosages, routes of
administration and recommended usage are known in the art and have
been described in such literature as the Physician's Desk Reference
(57th ed., 2003).
[0376] 5.3.5 Bacterial Infections
[0377] The invention provides a method of preventing, treating,
managing, and/or ameliorating a bacterial infection or one or more
symptoms thereof, said method comprising administering to a subject
in need thereof an effective amount of one or more antibodies of
the invention. In another embodiment, the invention provides a
method of preventing, treating, managing, and/or ameliorating a
bacterial infection or one or more symptoms thereof, said method
comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective
amount of a one or more antibodies of the invention and an
effective amount of one or more therapies (e.g., one or more
prophylactic or therapeutic agents), other than antibodies of the
invention. Non-limiting examples of such therapies include the
agents described in section 5.2, supra, and in particular, the
immunomodulatory agents described in section 5.2.1, the
anti-inflammatory agents described in section 5.2.4., the
anti-cancer agents described in section 5.2.5, the anti-viral
agents described in section 5.2.6, the anti-bacterial agents
described in section 5.2.7, and the anti-fungal agents described in
section 5.2.8.
[0378] Any type of bacterial infection or condition resulting from
or associated with a bacterial infection (e.g., a respiratory
infection) can be prevented, treated, managed, and/or ameliorated
in accordance with the methods of invention. Examples of bacteria
which cause bacterial infections include, but not limited to, the
Aquaspirillum family, Azospirillum family, Azotobacteraceae family,
Bacteroidaceae family, Bartonella species, Bdellovibrio family,
Campylobacter species, Chlamydia species (e.g., Chlamydia
pneumoniae), clostridium, Enterobacteriaceae family (e.g.,
Citrobacter species, Edwardsiella, Enterobacter aerogenes, Erwinia
species, Escherichia coli, Hafnia species, Klebsiella species,
Morganella species, Proteus vulgaris, Providencia, Salmonella
species, Serratia marcescens, and Shigella flexneri), Gardinella
family, Haemophilus influenzae, Halobacteriaceae family,
Helicobacter family, Legionallaceae family, Listeria species,
Methylococcaceae family, mycobacteria (e.g., Mycobacterium
tuberculosis), Neisseriaceae family, Oceanospirillum family,
Pasteurellaceae family, Pneumococcus species, Pseudomonas species,
Rhizobiaceae family, Spirillum family, Spirosomaceae family,
Staphylococcus (e.g., methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus
and Staphylococcus pyrogenes), Streptococcus (e.g., Streptococcus
enteritidis, Streptococcus fasciae, and Streptococcus pneumoniae),
Vampirovibr Helicobacter family, and Vampirovibrio family.
[0379] In a specific embodiment, the invention provides methods for
preventing, treating, managing, and/or ameliorating a bacterial
respiratory infection or one or more symptoms thereof, said method
comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective
amount of one or more antibodies of the invention. In another
embodiment, the invention provides a method of preventing,
treating, managing, and/or ameliorating a bacterial respiratory
infection or one or more symptoms thereof, said method comprising
administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a
one or more antibodies of the invention and an effective amount of
one or more therapies (e.g., prophylactic or therapeutic agents),
other than antibodies of the invention. Non-limiting examples of
such therapies include the agents described in section 5.2, supra,
and in particular, the immunomodulatory agents described in section
5.2.1, the anti-inflammatory agents described in section 5.2.4.,
the anti-cancer agents described in section 5.2.5, the anti-viral
agents described in section 5.2.6, the anti-bacterial agents
described in section 5.2.7, and the anti-fungal agents described in
section 5.2.8.
[0380] In certain embodiments, the invention provides methods to
prevent, treat, manage, and/or ameliorate a bacterial infection,
preferably a bacterial respiratory infection, or one or more of the
symptoms, said methods comprising administering to a subject in
need tehreof one or more antibodies of the invention in combination
with and effective amount of one or more therapies (e.g., one or
more prophylactic or therapeutic agents), other than antibodies of
the invention, used to prevent, treat, manage, and/or ameliorate
bacterial infections. Therapies for bacterial infections,
particularly, bacterial respiratory infections include, but are not
limited to, anti-bacterial agents (e.g., aminoglycosides (e.g.,
gentamicin, tobramycin, amikacin, netilimicin) aztreonam,
celphalosporins (e.g., cefaclor, cefadroxil, cephalexin,
cephazolin), clindamycin, erythromycin, penicillin (e.g.,
penicillin V, crystalline penicillin G, procaine penicillin G),
spectinomycin, and tetracycline (e.g., chlortetracycline,
doxycycline, oxytetracycine)) and supportive respiratory therapy,
such as supplemental and mechanical ventilation. In certain
embodiments, one or more antibodies of the invention are
administered in combination with one or more supportive measures to
a subject in need thereof to prevent, manage, treat, and/or
ameliorate a bacterial infection or one or more symptoms thereof.
Non-limiting examples of supportive measures include humidification
of air by ultrasonic nebulizer, aerolized racemic epinephrine, oral
dexamethasone, intravenous fluids, intubation, fever reducers
(e.g., ibuprofen, acetometaphin), and more preferably, antibiotic
or anti-viral therapy (i.e., to prevent or treat secondary
infections).
[0381] The invention provides methods for preventing, managing,
treating, and/or ameliorating a biological response to a bacterial
infection, preferably a bacterial respiratory infection, such as,
but not limited to, elevated levels of IgE antibodies, mast cell
proliferation, degranulation, and/or infiltration, increased
proliferation and/or infiltration of B cells, and increased
proliferation and/or infiltration of T cells, said methods
comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective
amount of one or more antibodies of the invention alone or in
combination with an effective amount one or more therapies (e.g. a
prophylactic or therapeutic agent) other than antibodies of the
invention. The invention also provides methods of preventing,
treating, managing, and/or ameliorating respiratory conditions
caused by or associated with bacterial infections, preferably
bacterial respiratory infections, such as, but not limited to,
pneumonococcal pneumonia, pneumonia caused by aerobic gram-negative
bacilli, recurrent aspiration pneumonia, legionellosis,
streptococcal disease, infections caused by Hemophilus, whooping
cough, meningitis, or tuberculosis, said methods comprising
administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of
one or more antibodies of the invention alone or in combination
with an effective amount of another therapy.
[0382] In a specific embodiment, the methods of the invention are
utilized to prevent, treat, manage, and/or ameliorate a bacterial
respiratory infection caused by Pneumonococcus, Mycobacteria,
aerobic gram-negative bacilli, Streptococcus, or Hemophilus or one
or more symptoms thereof, said method comprising administering to a
subject in need thereof of an effective amount of one or more
antibodies of the invention alone or in combination with an
effective amount of one or more other therapies (e.g., one or more
prophylactic or therapeutic agents) other than antibodies of the
invention.
[0383] In a specific embodiment, the invention provides methods for
preventing, treating, managing, and/or ameliorating one or more
secondary conditions or responses to a primary bacterial infection,
preferably a primary bacterial respiratory infection, said method
comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective
amount of one or more antibodies of the invention alone or in
combination with an effective amount of other therapies (e.g.,
other prophylactic or therapeutic agents). Examples of secondary
conditions or responses to a primary bacterial infection,
particularly a bacterial respiratory infection, include, but are
not limited to, asthma-like responsiveness to mucosal stimula,
elevated total respiratory resistance, increased susceptibility to
secondary viral, bacterial, and fungal infections, and development
of such conditions such as, but not limited to, pneumonia, croup,
and febrile bronchitits.
[0384] In a specific embodiment, the methods of the invention are
used to prevent, manage, treat, and/or ameliorate a bacterial
infection, preferably a bacterial respiratory infection, or one or
more symptoms thereof, said methods comprising administering to a
subject in need thereof an effective amount of one or more
antibodies of the invention in combination with an effective amount
of VITAXIN.TM. (MedImmune, Inc., International Publication No. WO
00/78815, International Publication No. WO 02/070007 A1, dated Sep.
12, 2002, entitled "Methods of Preventing or Treating Inflammatory
or Autoimmune Disorders by Administering Integrin AlphaV Beta3
Antagonists," International Publication No. WO 03/075957 A1, dated
Sep. 18, 2003, entitled "The Prevention or Treatment of Cancer
Using Integrin AlphaVBeta3 Antagonists in combination With Other
Agents," U.S. Patent Pub. No. US 2002/0168360 A1, dated Nov. 14,
2002, entitled "Methods of Preventing or Treating Inflammatory or
Autoimmune Disorders by Administering Integrin
.alpha..sub.v.beta..sub.3 Antagonists in Combination With Other
Prophylactic or Therapeutic Agents," and International Publication
No. WO 03/075741 A2, dated Sep. 18, 2003, entitled, "Methods of
Preventing or Treating Disorders by Administering an Integrin
.alpha..sub.v.beta..sub.3 Antagonist in Combination With an HMG-CoA
Reductase Inhibitor or a Bisphosphonate," each of which is
incorporated herewith by reference in its entirety). In another
specific embodiment, the methods of the invention are used to
prevent, manage, treat, and/or ameliorate a bacterial infection,
preferably a bacterial respiratory infection, or one or more
symptoms thereof, said methods comprising administering to a
subject in need thereof an effective amount of one or more
antibodies of the invention in combination with an effective amount
of siplizumab (MedImmune, Inc., International Pub. No. WO
02/069904). In another embodiment, the methods of the invention are
used to prevent, manage, treat, and/or ameliorate a bacterial
infection, preferably a bacterial respiratory infection, or one or
more symptoms thereof, said methods comprising administering to a
subject in need thereof an effective amount of one or more
antibodies of the invention in combination with an effective amount
of one or more EphA2 inhibitors (e.g., one or more anti-EphA2
antibodies (MedImmune, Inc.; International Publication No. WO
02/102974 A4, dated Dec. 27, 2002, entitled "Mutant Proteins, High
Potency Inhibitory Antibodies and FIMCH Crystal Structure,"
International Publication No. 03/094859 A2, dated Nov. 20, 2003,
entitled "EphA2 Monoclonal Antibodies and Methods of Use Thereof,"
U.S. Appn. No. 10/436,783; and U.S. Appn. No. 60/379,368, each of
which is incorporated herewith by reference)). In yet another
embodiment, the invention provides methods of preventing, treating,
managing, and/or ameliorating a bacterial infection, preferably a
bacterial respiratory infection, or one or more symptoms thereof,
said methods comprising administering an effective amount of one or
more antibodies of the invention in combination with an effective
amount of VITAXIN.TM., siplizumab, and/or EphA2.
[0385] The invention encompasses methods for preventing the
development of bacterial infections, preferably bacterial
respiratory infections, in a patient expected to suffer from a
bacterial respiratory infection or at increased risk of such an
infection, e.g., patients with suppressed immune systems (e.g.,
organ-transplant recipients, AIDS patients, patients undergoing
chemotherapy, the elderly, infants born prematurely, infants,
children, patients with carcinoma of the esophagus with
obstruction, patients with tracheobronchial fistula, patients with
neurological diseases (e.g., caused by stroke, amyotrophic lateral
sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, and myopathies), and patients
already suffering from an infection, particularly a respiratory
infection). The patients may or may not have been previously
treated for an infection.
[0386] The antibodies of the invention or combination therapies of
the invention may be used as the first, second, third, fourth, or
fifth therapy to prevent, manage, treat, and/or ameliorate a
bacterial infection, preferably a bacterial respiratory infection,
or one or more symptom thereof. The invention also includes methods
of preventing, treating, managing, and/or ameliorating a bacterial
infection, preferably a bacterial respiratory infection, or one or
more symptoms thereof in a patient undergoing therapies for other
diseases or disorders. The invention encompasses methods of
preventing, managing, treating, and/or ameliorating a bacterial
infection, preferably a bacterial respiratory infection, or one or
more symptoms thereof in a patient before any adverse effects or
intolerance to therapies other than antibodies of the invention
develops. The invention also encompasses methods of preventing,
treating, managing, and/or ameliorating a bacterial infection,
preferably a bacterial respiratory infection, or a symptom thereof
in refractory patients. In certain embodiments, a patient with a
bacterial respiratory infection is refractory to a therapy when the
infection has not significantly been eradicated and/or the symptoms
have not been significantly alleviated. The determination of
whether a patient is refractory can be made either in vivo or in
vitro by any method known in the art for assaying the effectiveness
of a treatment of infections, using art-accepted meanings of
"refractory" in such a context. In various embodiments, a patient
with a bacterial respiratory infection is refractory when bacterial
replication has not decreased or has increased. The invention also
encompasses methods of preventing the onset or reoccurrence of a
bacterial infection, preferably a bacterial respiratory infection,
in patients at risk of developing such infection. The invention
also encompasses methods of preventing, managing, treating, and/or
ameliorating a bacterial infection, preferably a bacterial
respiratory infection, or a symptom thereof in patients who are
susceptible to adverse reactions to conventional therapies. The
invention further encompasses methods for preventing, treating,
managing, and/or ameliorating bacterial infections, preferably
bacterial respiratory infections, for which no anti-bacterial
therapy is available.
[0387] The invention encompasses methods for preventing, treating,
managing, and/or ameliorating a bacterial infection, preferably a
bacterial respiratory infection, or a symptom thereof in a patient
who has proven refractory to therapies other than antibodies of the
invention, but are no longer on these therapies. In certain
embodiments, the patients being managed or treated in accordance
with the methods of this invention are patients already being
treated with anti-inflammatory agents, antibiotics, anti-virals,
anti-fungals, or other biological therapy/immunotherapy. Among
these patients are refractory patients, patients who are too young
for conventional therapies, and patients with reoccurring bacterial
infections despite management or treatment with existing
therapies.
[0388] The present invention encompasses methods for preventing,
treating, managing, and/or ameliorating a bacterial infection,
preferably a bacterial respiratory infection, or one or more
symptoms thereof as an alternative to other conventional therapies.
In specific embodiments, the patient being managed or treated in
accordance with the methods of the invention is refractory to other
therapies or is susceptible to adverse reactions from such
therapies. The patient may be a person with a suppressed immune
system (e.g., post-operative patients, chemotherapy patients, and
patients with immunodeficiency disease), a person with impaired
renal or liver function, the elderly, children, infants, infants
born prematurely, persons with neuropsychiatric disorders or those
who take psychotropic drugs, persons with histories of seizures, or
persons on medication that would negatively interact with
conventional agents used to prevent, manage, treat, and/or
ameliorate a bacterial infection, preferably a bacterial
respiratory infection, or one or more symptoms thereof.
[0389] Bacterial infection therapies and their dosages, routes of
administration and recommended usage are known in the art and have
been described in such literature as the Physician's Desk Reference
(57th ed., 2003).
[0390] 5.3.6 Fungal Infections
[0391] One or more antibodies of the invention can be administered
according to methods of the invention to a subject to prevent,
treat, manage, and/or ameliorate a fungal infection or one or more
symptoms thereof. One or more antibodies of the invention may be
also administered to a subject to treat, manage, and/or ameliorate
a fungal infection and/or one or more symptoms thereof in
combination with one or more other therapies (e.g., one or more
prophylactic or therapeutic agents) other than antibodies of the
invention which are useful for the prevention, treatment,
management, or amelioration of a fungal infection or one or more
symptoms thereof. Non-limiting examples of such therapies include
the agents described in section 5.2, supra, and in particular, the
immunomodulatory agents described in section 5.2.1, the
anti-inflammatory agents described in section 5.2.4, the anti-viral
agents described in section 5.2.6, the anti-bacterial agents
described in section 5.2.7, and the anti-fungal agents described in
section 5.2.8.
[0392] In a specific embodiment, the invention provides a method of
preventing, treating, managing, and/or ameliorating a fungal
infection or one or more symptoms thereof, said method comprising
administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of
one or more antibodies of the invention. In another embodiment, the
invention provides a method of preventing, treating, managing,
and/or ameliorating a fungal infection or one or more symptoms
thereof, said method comprising administering to a subject in need
thereof an effective amount of a one or more antibodies of the
invention and an effective amount of one or more therapies (e.g.,
prophylactic or therapeutic agents), other than antibodies of the
invention.
[0393] Any type of fungal infection or condition resulting from or
associated with a fungal infection (e.g., a respiratory infection)
can be prevented, treated, managed, and/or ameliorated in
accordance with the methods of invention. Examples of fungus which
cause fungal infections include, but not limited to, Absidia
species (e.g., Absidia corymbifera and Absidia ramosa), Aspergillus
species, (e.g., Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus,
Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus terreus),
Basidiobolus ranarum, Blastomyces dernatitidis, Candida species
(e.g., Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida kerr, Candida
krusei, Candida parapsilosis, Candida pseudotropicalis, Candida
quillennondii, Candida rugosa, Candida stellatoidea, and Candida
tropicalis), Coccidioides immitis, Conidiobolus species,
Cryptococcus neoforms, Cunninghamella species, dermatophytes,
Histoplasma capsulatum, Microsporum gypseum, Mucor pusillus,
Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, Pseudallescheria boydii,
Rhinosporidium seeberi, Pneumocystis carinii, Rhizopus species
(e.g., Rhizopus arrhizus, Rhizopus oryzae, and Rhizopus
microsporus), Saccharomyces species, Sporothrix schenckii,
zygomycetes, and classes such as Zygomycetes, Ascomycetes, the
Basidiomycetes, Deuteromycetes, and Oomycetes.
[0394] In a specific embodiment, the invention provides a method of
preventing, treating, managing, and/or ameliorating a fungal
respiratory infection or one or more symptoms thereof, said method
comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective
amount of one or more antibodies of the invention. In another
embodiment, the invention provides a method of preventing,
treating, managing, and/or ameliorating a fungal respiratory
infection or one or more symptoms thereof, said method comprising
administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of
one or more antibodies of the invention and an effective amount of
one or more therapies (e.g., one or more prophylactic or
therapeutic agents) other than antibodies of the invention.
Non-limiting examples of such therapies include the agents
described in section 5.2, supra, and in particular, the
immunomodulatory agents described in section 5.2.1, the
anti-inflammatory agents described in section 5.2.4, the anti-viral
agents described in section 5.2.6, the anti-bacterial agents
described in section 5.2.7, and the anti-fungal agents described in
section 5.2.8.
[0395] In certain embodiments, an effective amount of one or more
antibodies is administered in combination with an effective amount
of one or more therapies (e.g., one or more prophylactic or
therapeutic agents), other than antibodies of the invention, which
are currently being used, have been used, or are known to be useful
in the prevention, management, treatment, or amelioration of a
fungal infection, preferably a fungal respiratory infection, to a
subject in need thereof. Therapies for fungal infections include,
but are not limited to, anti-fungal agents such as azole drugs
e.g., miconazole, ketoconazole (NIZORAL.RTM.), caspofungin acetate
(CANCIDAS.RTM.), imidazole, triazoles (e.g., fluconazole
(DWFLUCAN.RTM.)), and itraconazole (SPORANOX.RTM.)), polyene (e.g.,
nystatin, amphotericin B colloidal dispersion ("ABCD")
(AMPHOTEC.RTM.), liposomal amphotericin B (AMBISONE.RTM.)),
postassium iodide (KI), pyrimidine (e.g., flucytosine
(ANCOBON.RTM.)), and voriconazole (VFEND.RTM.). In certain
embodiments, an effective amount of one or more antibodies of the
invention are administered in combination with one or more
supportive measures to a subject in need thereof to prevent,
manage, treat, and/or ameliorate a fungal infection or one or more
symptoms thereof. Non-limiting examples of supportive measures
include humidification of the air by an ultrasonic nebulizer,
aerolized racemic epinephrine, oral desamethasone, intravenous
fluids, intubation, fever reducers (e.g., ibuprofen and
acetometaphin), and anti-viral or anti-bacterial therapy (i.e., to
prevent or treat secondary viral or bacterial infections).
[0396] The invention also provides methods for preventing,
managing, treating and/or ameliorating a biological response to a
fungal respiratory infection such as, but not limited to, elevated
levels of IgE antibodies, elevated nerve growth factor (NGF)
levels, mast cell proliferation, degranulation, and/or
infiltration, increased proliferation and/or infiltration of B
cells, and increased proliferation and/or infiltration of T cells,
said methods comprising administration of an effective amount of
one or more antibodies that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9
polypeptide alone or in combination with one or more other
therapies.
[0397] In a specific embodiment, the invention provides methods for
preventing, treating, managing, and/or ameliorating one or more
secondary conditions or responses to a primary fungal infection,
preferably a primary fungal respiratory infection, said method
comprising of administering to a subject in need thereof an
effective amount of one or more antibodies of the invention alone
or in combination with an effective amount of other therapies
(e.g., other prophylactic or therapeutic agents) other than
antibodies of the invention. Examples of secondary conditions or
responses to a primary fungal infections, particularly primary
fungal respiratory infection include, but are not limited to,
asthma-like responsiveness to mucosal stimula, elevated total
respiratory resistance, increased susceptibility to secondary
viral, fungal, and fungal infections, and development of such
conditions such as, but not limited to, pneumonia, croup, and
febrile bronchitits.
[0398] In a specific embodiment, the invention provides methods to
prevent, treat, manage, and/or ameliorate a fungal infection,
preferably a fungal respiratory infection, or one or more symptoms
thereof, said methods comprising administering to a subject in need
thereof an effective amount of one or more antibodies of the
invention in combination with an effective amount of VITAXIN.TM.
(MedImmune, Inc., International Publication No. WO 00/78815,
International Publication No. WO 02/070007 A1, dated Sep. 12, 2002,
entitled "Methods of Preventing or Treating Inflammatory or
Autoimmune Disorders by Administering Integrin AlphaV Beta3
Antagonists," International Publication No. WO 03/075957 A1, dated
Sep. 18, 2003, entitled "The Prevention or Treatment of Cancer
Using Integrin AlphaVBeta3 Antagonists in Combination With Other
Agents," U.S. Patent Pub. No. US 2002/0168360 A1, dated Nov. 14,
2002, entitled "Methods of Preventing or Treating Inflammatory or
Autoimmune Disorders by Administering Integrin avp3 Antagonists in
Combination With Other Prophylactic or Therapeutic Agents," and
International Publication No. WO 03/075741 A2, dated Sep. 18, 2003,
entitled, "Methods of Preventing or Treating Disorders by
Administering an Integrin .alpha..sub.v.beta..sub.3 Antagonist in
Combination With an HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor or a
Bisphosphonate," each of which is incorporated herewith by
reference in its entirety) to a subject in need thereof. In another
specific embodiment, the invention provides methods of preventing,
treating, managing, and/or ameliorating a fungal respiratory
infection or one or more symptoms thereof, said methods comprising
administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of
one or more antibodies of the invention in combination with an
effective amount of siplizumab (Medhnmune, Inc., International Pub.
No. WO 02/069904) to a subject in need thereof. In another
embodiment, the invention provides methods of preventing, treating,
managing, and/or ameliorating a fungal respiratory infection or one
or more symptoms thereof, said methods comprising administering an
effective amount of one or more antibodies of the invention in
combination with an effective amount of one or more EphA2
inhibitors (e.g., one or more anti-EphA2 antibodies (MedImmune,
Inc.; International Publication No. WO 02/102974 A4, dated Dec. 27,
2002, entitled "Mutant Proteins, High Potency Inhibitory Antibodies
and FIMCH Crystal Structure," International Publication No.
03/094859 A2, dated Nov. 20, 2003, entitled "EphA2 Monoclonal
Antibodies and Methods of Use Thereof," U.S. Appn. No. 10/436,783;
and U.S. Appn. No. 60/379,368, each of which is incorporated
herewith by reference)) to a subject in need thereof. In yet
another embodiment, the invention provides methods of preventing,
treating, managing, and/or ameliorating a fungal infection,
preferably a fungal respiratory infection, or one or more symptoms
thereof, said methods comprising administering an effective amount
of one or more antibodies of the invention in combination with an
effective amount of VITAXIN.TM., siplizumab, and/or EphA2 to a
subject in need thereof.
[0399] The invention encompasses methods for preventing the
development of fungal respiratory infections in a patient expected
to suffer from a fungal infection, preferably a fungal respiratory
infection, or at increased risk of such an infection. Such subjects
include, but are not limited to, patients with suppressed immune
systems (e.g., patients organ-transplant recipients, AIDS patients,
patients undergoing chemotherapy, patients with carcinoma of the
esophagus with obstruction, patients with tracheobronchial fistula,
patients with neurological diseases (e.g., caused by stroke,
amyotorphic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, and myopathies),
and patients already suffering from a respiratory condition,
particularly a respiratory infection). In a specific embodiment,
the patient suffers from bronchopulmonary dysplasia, congenital
heart disease, cystic fibrosis, and/or acquired or congenital
immunodeficiency. In another specific embodiment, the patient is an
infant born prematurely, an infant, a child, an elderly human, or a
human in a group home, nursing home, or some other type of
institution. The invention also encompasses methods of preventing,
managing, treating, and/or ameliorating a respiratory condition or
one or more symptoms thereof in patients who are susceptible to
adverse reactions to conventional therapies for respiratory
conditions for which no therapies are available.
[0400] The antibodies of the invention or combination therapies of
the invention may be used as the first, second, third, fourth, or
fifth therapy to prevent, manage, treat, and/or ameliorate a fungal
infection, preferably a fungal respiratory infection or one or more
symptom thereof. The invention also includes methods of preventing,
treating, managing, and/or ameliorating a fungal infection,
preferably a fungal respiratory infection or one or more symptoms
thereof in a patient undergoing therapies for other disease or
disorders. The invention encompasses methods of preventing,
managing, treating, and/or ameliorating a fungal infection,
preferably a fungal respiratory infection or one or more symptoms
thereof in a patient before any adverse effects or intolerance to
therapies other antibodies of the invention develops. The invention
also encompasses methods of preventing, treating, managing, and/or
ameliorating a fungal infection, preferably a fungal respiratory
infection or a symptom thereof in refractory patients. In certain
embodiments, a patient with a fungal infection, preferably a fungal
respiratory infection, is refractory to a therapy when the
infection has not significantly been eradicated and/or the symptoms
have not been significantly alleviated. The determination of
whether a patient is refractory can be made either in vivo or in
vitro by any method known in the art for assaying the effectiveness
of a treatment of infections, using art-accepted meanings of
"refractory" in such a context. In various embodiments, a patient
with a fungal infection, preferably a fungal respiratory infection,
is refractory when fungal replication has not decreased or has
increased. The invention also encompasses methods of preventing the
onset or reoccurrence of fungal infections, preferably fungal
respiratory infections, in patients at risk of developing such
infections. The invention also encompasses methods of preventing,
managing, treating, and/or ameliorating a fungal infection,
preferably a fungal respiratory infection, or a symptom thereof in
patients who are susceptible to adverse reactions to conventional
therapies. The invention further encompasses methods for
preventing, treating, managing, and/or ameliorating fungal
infections, preferably fungal respiratory infections, for which no
anti-fungal therapy is available.
[0401] The invention encompasses methods for preventing, treating,
managing, and/or ameliorating a fungal infection, preferably a
fungal respiratory infection, or a symptom thereof in a patient who
has proven refractory to therapies other than antibodies of the
invention but are no longer on these therapies. In certain
embodiments, the patients being managed or treated in accordance
with the methods of this invention are patients already being
treated with antibiotics, anti-virals, anti-fungals, or other
biological therapy/immunotherapy. Among these patients are
refractory patients, patients who are too young for conventional
therapies, and patients with reoccurring fungal infections despite
management or treatment with existing therapies.
[0402] The present invention provides methods for preventing,
treating, managing, and/or ameliorating a fungal infection,
preferably a fungal respiratory infection, or one or more symptoms
thereof as an alternative to other conventional therapies. In
specific embodiments, the patient being managed or treated in
accordance with the methods of the invention is refractory to other
therapies or is susceptible to adverse reactions from such
therapies. The patient may be a person with a suppressed immune
system (e.g., post-operative patients, chemotherapy patients, and
patients with immunodeficiency disease), a person with impaired
renal or liver function, the elderly, children, infants, infants
born prematurely, persons with neuropsychiatric disorders or those
who take psychotropic drugs, persons with histories of seizures, or
persons on medication that would negatively interact with
conventional agents used to prevent, manage, treat, and/or
ameliorate a fungal infection, preferably a fungal respiratory
infection, or one or more symptoms thereof.
[0403] Fungal infection therapies and their dosages, routes of
administration and recommended usage are known in the art and have
been described in such literature as the Physician's Desk Reference
(57th ed., 2003).
5.4 Compositions & Methods of Administering Antibodies
[0404] The invention provides for the prevention, treatment,
management, and/or amelioration of disorders associated with
aberrant expression and/or activity of an IL-9 polypeptide,
disorders associated with aberrant expression and/or activity of an
IL-9R or one or more subunits thereof, autoimmune disorders,
inflammatory disorders, and infections (preferably, respiratory
infections, or one or more symptoms thereof. In a specific
embodiment, a composition comprises one or more antibodies of the
invention. In another embodiment, a composition comprises one or
more antibodies of the invention and one or more prophylactic or
therapeutic agents, other than the antibodies of the invention,
said agents known to be useful for or having been or currently used
for the prevention, treatment, management, and/or amelioration of
disorders associated with aberrant expression and/or activity of an
IL-9 polypeptide, disorders associated with aberrant expression
and/or activity of an IL-9R or one or more subunits thereof,
autoimmune disorders, inflammatory disorders, and infections
(preferably, respiratory infections, or one or more symptoms
thereof.
[0405] In one embodiment, a composition comprises one or more
peptides, polypeptides, or proteins comprising a fragment of an
antibody of the invention that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9
polypeptide. In another embodiment, a compositions comprises one or
more peptides, polypeptides, or proteins comprising a fragment of
an antibody of the invention that immunospecifically binds to an
IL-9 polypeptide in combination with one or more other therapies
(e.g., one or more prophylactic or therapeutic agents), other than
a peptide, polypeptide, or protein comprising a fragment of an
antibody of the invention.
[0406] In a specific embodiment, a composition comprises one or
more antibodies of the invention, or one or more polypeptides,
peptides, or proteins comprising an antibody fragment of the
invention, and one or more immunomodulatory agents. In a specific
embodiment, a composition comprises one or more antibodies of the
invention, or one or more polypeptides, peptides, or proteins
comprising an antibody fragment of the invention, and one or more
mast cell modulators. In another embodiment, a composition
comprises one or more antibodies of the invention, or one or more
polypeptides, peptides, or proteins comprising an antibody fragment
of the invention, and one or more anti-angiogenic agents. In
another embodiment, a composition comprises one or more antibodies
of the invention, or one or more polypeptides, peptides, or
proteins comprising an antibody fragment of the invention, and one
or more anti-inflammatory agents. In another embodiment, a
composition comprises one or more antibodies of the invention, or
one or more polypeptides, peptides, or proteins comprising an
antibody fragment of the invention, and one or more anti-cancer
agents. In accordance with this embodiment, the anti-cancer agent
may or may not be an immunomodulatory agent or an anti-angiogenic
agent. In another embodiment, a composition comprises one or more
antibodies of the invention, or one or more polypeptides, peptides,
or proteins comprising an antibody fragment of the invention, and
one or more anti-viral agents. In another embodiment, a composition
comprising one or more antibodies of the invention, or one or more
polypeptides, peptides, or proteins comprising an antibody fragment
of the invention, or one or more anti-bacterial agents. In another
embodiment, a composition comprising one or more antibodies of the
invention, or one or more polypeptides, peptides, or proteins
comprising an antibody fragment of the invention, or one or more
anti-fungal agents. In yet another embodiment, a composition
comprises one or more antibodies of the invention, or one or more
polypeptides, peptides, or proteins comprising an antibody fragment
of the invention, and any combination of one, two, three, or more
of each of the following prophylactic or therapeutic agents: an
immunomodulatory agent, a mast cell modulator, an anti-angiogenic
agent, an anti-cancer agent other than an immunomodulatory agent or
anti-angiogenic agent, an anti-inflammatory agent, an anti-viral
agent, an anti-bacterial agent, an anti-fungal agent.
[0407] In a specific embodiment, a composition comprises one or
more antibodies of the invention, or one or more polypeptides,
peptides, or proteins comprising an antibody fragment of the
invention and one or more TNF-.alpha. antagonists (e.g., ENBREL.TM.
and/or REMICADE.RTM.). In another embodiment, a composition
comprises one or more antibodies of the invention, or one or more
polypeptides, peptides, or proteins comprising an antibody fragment
of the invention, and one or more integrin .alpha..sub.v.beta.
antagonists. In another embodiment, a composition comprises one or
more antibodies of the invention, or one or more polypeptides,
peptides, or proteins comprising an antibody fragment of the
invention, and VITAXIN.TM., siplizumab, palivizumab, an EphA2
inhibitor, or any combination thereof. In addition to prophylactic
or therapeutic agents, the compositions of the invention may also
comprise a carrier.
[0408] The compositions of the invention include bulk drug
compositions useful in the manufacture of pharmaceutical
compositions (e.g., compositions that are suitable for
administration to a subject or patient) which can be used in the
preparation of unit dosage forms (See co-pending U.S. Provisional
Appn. filed concurrently herewith (identified by Attorney Docket
Number 10271-126-888) entitled "Anti-IL-9 Antibody Formulations and
Uses Thereof" which is incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety). In a preferred embodiment, a composition of the
invention is a pharmaceutical composition. Such compositions
comprise a prophylactically or therapeutically effective amount of
one or more prophylactic or therapeutic agents (e.g., an antibody
of the invention; polypeptide, peptide, or protein comprising an
antibody fragment of the invention, or other prophylactic or
therapeutic agent), and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
Preferably, the pharmaceutical compositions are formulated to be
suitable for the route of administration to a subject. In a
preferred embodiment, a pharmaceutical composition of the invention
is formulated in single dose vials as a sterile liquid that
contains 10 mM histidine buffer at pH 6.0 and 150 mM sodium
chloride. Each 1.0 mL of solution contains 100 mg of protein, 1.6
mg of histidine and 8.9 mg of sodium chloride in water for optimal
stability and solubility. A more detailed description of liquid
formulations containing an antibody of the invention or fragment
thereof is provided in a U.S. Provisional Application to be
concurrently filed herewith (identified by Attorney Docket Number
10271-126-888), entitled "Anti-IL-9 Antibody Formulations and Uses
Thereof."
[0409] In a specific embodiment, the term "pharmaceutically
acceptable" means approved by a regulatory agency of the Federal or
a state government or listed in the U.S. Pharmacopeia or other
generally recognized pharmacopeia for use in animals, and more
particularly in humans. The term "carrier" refers to a diluent,
adjuvant (e.g., Freund's adjuvant (complete and incomplete)),
excipient, or vehicle with which the therapeutic is administered.
Such pharmaceutical carriers can be sterile liquids, such as water
and oils, including those of petroleum, animal, vegetable or
synthetic origin, such as peanut oil, soybean oil, mineral oil,
sesame oil and the like. Water is a preferred carrier when the
pharmaceutical composition is administered intravenously. Saline
solutions and aqueous dextrose and glycerol solutions can also be
employed as liquid carriers, particularly for injectable solutions.
Suitable pharmaceutical excipients include starch, glucose,
lactose, sucrose, gelatin, malt, rice, flour, chalk, silica gel,
sodium stearate, glycerol monostearate, talc, sodium chloride,
dried skim milk, glycerol, propylene, glycol, water, ethanol and
the like. The composition, if desired, can also contain minor
amounts of wetting or emulsifying agents, or pH buffering agents.
These compositions can take the form of solutions, suspensions,
emulsion, tablets, pills, capsules, powders, sustained-release
formulations and the like.
[0410] Generally, the ingredients of compositions of the invention
are supplied either separately or mixed together in unit dosage
form, for example, as a dry lyophilized powder or water free
concentrate in a hermetically sealed container such as an ampoule
or sachette indicating the quantity of active agent. Where the
composition is to be administered by infusion, it can be dispensed
with an infusion bottle containing sterile pharmaceutical grade
water or saline. Where the composition is administered by
injection, an ampoule of sterile water for injection or saline can
be provided so that the ingredients may be mixed prior to
administration.
[0411] The compositions of the invention can be formulated as
neutral or salt forms. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts include
those formed with anions such as those derived from hydrochloric,
phosphoric, acetic, oxalic, tartaric acids, etc., and those formed
with cations such as those derived from sodium, potassium,
ammonium, calcium, ferric hydroxides, isopropylamine,
triethylamine, 2-ethylamino ethanol, histidine, procaine, etc.
[0412] Various delivery systems are known in the art and can be
used to administer a prophylactic or therapeutic agent or
composition of the invention to prevent, treat, manage, and/or
ameliorate a disease or disorder associated with or characterized
by aberrant expression and/or activity of an IL-9 polypeptide, a
disease or disorder associated with or characterized by aberrant
expression and/or activity of an IL-9R or one or more subunits
thereof, an inflammatory disorders, an autoimmune disorders, a
proliferative disorder, or a infection (preferably, a respiratory
infection) or one or more symptoms thereof, e.g., encapsulation in
liposomes, microparticles, microcapsules, recombinant cells capable
of expressing the antibody or antibody fragment, receptor-mediated
endocytosis (see, e.g., Wu and Wu, J. Biol. Chem. 262:4429-4432
(1987)), construction of a nucleic acid as part of a retroviral or
other vector, etc. Methods of administering a therapy (e.g.,
prophylactic or therapeutic agent) of the invention include, but
are not limited to, parenteral administration (e.g., intradermal,
intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intravenous and subcutaneous),
epidurala administration, intratumoral administration, and mucosal
administration (e.g., intranasal and oral routes). In addition,
pulmonary administration can also be employed, e.g., by use of an
inhaler or nebulizer, and formulation with an aerosolizing agent.
See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,019,968, 5,985,320, 5,985,309,
5,934,272, 5,874,064, 5,855,913, 5,290,540, and 4,880,078; and PCT
Publication Nos. WO 92/19244, WO 97/32572, WO 97/44013, WO
98/31346, and WO 99/66903, each of which is incorporated herein by
reference their entirety. In one embodiment, an antibody,
combination therapy, or a composition of the invention is
administered using Alkermes AIR.TM. pulmonary drug delivery
technology (Alkermes, Inc., Cambridge, Mass.). In a specific
embodiment, prophylactic or therapeutic agents of the invention are
administered intramuscularly, intravenously, intratumorally,
orally, intranasally, pulmonary, or subcutaneously. The
prophylactic or therapeutic agents may be administered by any
convenient route, for example by infusion or bolus injection, by
absorption through epithelial or mucocutaneous linings (e.g., oral
mucosa, rectal and intestinal mucosa, etc.) and may be administered
together with other biologically active agents. Administration can
be systemic or local.
[0413] In a specific embodiment, it may be desirable to administer
the prophylactic or therapeutic agents of the invention locally to
the area in need of treatment; this may be achieved by, for
example, and not by way of limitation, local infusion, by
injection, or by means of an implant, said implant being of a
porous or non-porous material, including membranes and matrices,
such as sialastic membranes, polymers, fibrous matrices (e.g.,
Tissuel.RTM.), or collagen matrices. In one embodiment, an
effective amount of one or more antibodies of the invention is
administered locally to the affected area to a subject at risk of
or with a disease or disorder associated with or characterized by
aberrant expression and/or activity of an IL-9 polypeptide, a
disease or disorder associated with or characterized by aberrant
expression and/or activity of an IL-9R or one or more subunits
thereof, an inflammatory disorder, an autoimmune disorder, a
proliferative disorder, or an infection (preferably, a respiratory
infection). In another embodiment, an effective amount of one or
more antibodies of the invention is administered locally to the
affected area in combination with an effective amount of one or
more therapies (e.g., one or more prophylactic or therapeutic
agents) other than an antibody of the invention to a subject at
risk of or with a disease or disorder associated with or
characterized by aberrant expression and/or activity of an IL-9
polypeptide, a disease or disorder associated with or characterized
by aberrant expression and/or activity of an IL-9R or one or more
subunits thereof, an inflammatory disorder, an autoimmune disorder,
a proliferative disorder, or an infection (preferably, a
respiratory infection). In another embodiment, an effective amount
of a therapy such as a mast cell modulator (e.g., astem cell factor
(c-kit receptor ligand) inhibitor (e.g., mAb 7H6, mAb 8H7a, pAb
1337, FK506, CsA, dexamthasone, and fluconcinonide), a c-kit
receptor inhibitor (e.g., STI 571 (formerly known as CGP 57148B)) a
mast cell protease inhibitor (e.g., GW-45, GW-58, wortmannin, LY
294002, calphostin C, cytochalasin D, genistein, KT5926,
staurosproine, and lactoferrin), and relaxin ("RLX")) is
administered locally to the affected area to a subject at risk of
or with a disease or disorder associated with or characterized by
aberrant expression and/or activity of an IL-9 polypeptide, disease
or disorder associated with or characterized by aberrant expression
and/or activity of an IL-9R or one or more subunits thereof, an
inflammatory disorder, an autoimmune disorder, a proliferative
disorder, or an infection (preferably, a respiratory
infection).
[0414] In yet another embodiment, a therapy of the invention can be
delivered in a controlled release or sustained release system. In
one embodiment, a pump may be used to achieve controlled or
sustained release (see Langer, supra; Sefton, 1987, CRC Crit. Ref.
Biomed. Eng. 14:20; Buchwald et al., 1980, Surgery 88:507; Saudek
et al., 1989, N. Engl. J. Med. 321:574). In another embodiment,
polymeric materials can be used to achieve controlled or sustained
release of the therapies of the invention (see e.g., Medical
Applications of Controlled Release, Langer and Wise (eds.), CRC
Pres., Boca Raton, Fla. (1974); Controlled Drug Bioavailability,
Drug Product Design and Performance, Smolen and Ball (eds.), Wiley,
New York (1984); Ranger and Peppas, 1983, J., Macromol. Sci. Rev.
Macromol. Chem. 23:61; see also Levy et al., 1985, Science 228:190;
During et al., 1989, Ann. Neurol. 25:351; Howard et al., 1989, J.
Neurosurg. 7 1:105); U.S. Pat. No. 5,679,377; U.S. Pat. No.
5,916,597; U.S. Pat. No. 5,912,015; U.S. Pat. No. 5,989,463; U.S.
Pat. No. 5,128,326; PCT Publication No. WO 99/15154; and PCT
Publication No. WO 99/20253. Examples of polymers used in sustained
release formulations include, but are not limited to,
poly(2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate), poly(methyl methacrylate),
poly(acrylic acid), poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate),
poly(methacrylic acid), polyglycolides (PLG), polyanhydrides,
poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone), poly(vinyl alcohol), polyacrylamide,
poly(ethylene glycol), polylactides (PLA),
poly(lactide-co-glycolides) (PLGA), and polyorthoesters. In a
preferred embodiment, the polymer used in a sustained release
formulation is inert, free of leachable impurities, stable on
storage, sterile, and biodegradable. In yet another embodiment, a
controlled or sustained release system can be placed in proximity
of the prophylactic or therapeutic target, thus requiring only a
fraction of the systemic dose (see, e.g., Goodson, in Medical
Applications of Controlled Release, supra, vol. 2, pp. 115-138
(1984)).
[0415] Controlled release systems are discussed in the review by
Langer (1990, Science 249:1527-1533). Any technique known to one of
skill in the art can be used to produce sustained release
formulations comprising one or more therapeutic agents of the
invention. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,526,938, PCT publication WO
91/05548, PCT publication WO 96/20698, Ning et al., 1996,
"Intratumoral Radioimmunotheraphy of a Human Colon Cancer Xenograft
Using a Sustained-Release Gel," Radiotherapy & Oncology
39:179-189, Song et al., 1995, "Antibody Mediated Lung Targeting of
Long-Circulating Emulsions," PDA Journal of Pharmaceutical Science
& Technology 50:372-397, Cleek et al., 1997, "Biodegradable
Polymeric Carriers for a bFGF Antibody for Cardiovascular
Application," Pro. Int'l. Symp. Control. Rel. Bioact. Mater.
24:853-854, and Lam et al., 1997, "Microencapsulation of
Recombinant Humanized Monoclonal Antibody for Local Delivery,"
Proc. Int'l. Symp. Control Rel. Bioact. Mater. 24:759-760, each of
which is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
[0416] In a specific embodiment, where the composition of the
invention is a nucleic acid encoding a prophylactic or therapeutic
agent, the nucleic acid can be administered in vivo to promote
expression of its encoded prophylactic or therapeutic agent, by
constructing it as part of an appropriate nucleic acid expression
vector and administering it so that it becomes intracellular, e.g.,
by use of a retroviral vector (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,980,286), or by
direct injection, or by use of microparticle bombardment (e.g., a
gene gun; Biolistic, Dupont), or coating with lipids or
cell-surface receptors or transfecting agents, or by administering
it in linkage to a homeobox-like peptide which is known to enter
the nucleus (see, e.g., Joliot et al., 1991, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.
USA 88:1864-1868). Alternatively, a nucleic acid can be introduced
intracellularly and incorporated within host cell DNA for
expression by homologous recombination.
[0417] A pharmaceutical composition of the invention is formulated
to be compatible with its intended route of administration.
Examples of routes of administration include, but are not limited
to, parenteral, e.g., intravenous, intradermal, subcutaneous, oral,
intranasal (e.g., inhalation), transdermal (e.g., topical),
transmucosal, and rectal administration. In a specific embodiment,
the composition is formulated in accordance with routine procedures
as a pharmaceutical composition adapted for intravenous,
subcutaneous, intramuscular, oral, intranasal, or topical
administration to human beings. Typically, compositions for
intravenous administration are solutions in sterile isotonic
aqueous buffer. Where necessary, the composition may also include a
solubilizing agent and a local anesthetic such as lignocamne to
ease pain at the site of the injection.
[0418] If the compositions of the invention are to be administered
topically, the compositions can be formulated in the form of an
ointment, cream, transdermal patch, lotion, gel, shampoo, spray,
aerosol, solution, emulsion, or other form well-known to one of
skill in the art. See, e.g., Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences
and Introduction to Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, 19th ed., Mack
Pub. Co., Easton, Pa. (1995). For non-sprayable topical dosage
forms, viscous to semi-solid or solid forms comprising a carrier or
one or more excipients compatible with topical application and
having a dynamic viscosity preferably greater than water are
typically employed. Suitable formulations include, without
limitation, solutions, suspensions, emulsions, creams, ointments,
powders, liniments, salves, and the like, which are, if desired,
sterilized or mixed with auxiliary agents (e.g., preservatives,
stabilizers, wetting agents, buffers, or salts) for influencing
various properties, such as, for example, osmotic pressure. Other
suitable topical dosage forms include sprayable aerosol
preparations wherein the active ingredient, preferably in
combination with a solid or liquid inert carrier, is packaged in a
mixture with a pressurized volatile (e.g., a gaseous propellant,
such as freon) or in a squeeze bottle. Moisturizers or humectants
can also be added to pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms
if desired. Examples of such additional ingredients are well-known
in the art.
[0419] If the method of the invention comprises intranasal
administration of a composition, the composition can be formulated
in an aerosol form, spray, mist or in the form of drops. In
particular, prophylactic or therapeutic agents for use according to
the present invention can be conveniently delivered in the form of
an aerosol spray presentation from pressurized packs or a
nebuliser, with the use of a suitable propellant (e.g.,
dichlorodifluoromethane, trichlorofluoromethane,
dichlorotetrafluoroethane, carbon dioxide or other suitable gas).
In the case of a pressurized aerosol the dosage unit may be
determined by providing a valve to deliver a metered amount.
Capsules and cartridges (composed of, e.g., gelatin) for use in an
inhaler or insufflator may be formulated containing a powder mix of
the compound and a suitable powder base such as lactose or
starch.
[0420] If the method of the invention comprises oral
administration, compositions can be formulated orally in the form
of tablets, capsules, cachets, gelcaps, solutions, suspensions, and
the like. Tablets or capsules can be prepared by conventional means
with pharmaceutically acceptable excipients such as binding agents
(e.g., pregelatinised maize starch, polyvinylpyrrolidone, or
hydroxypropyl methylcellulose); fillers (e.g., lactose,
microcrystalline cellulose, or calcium hydrogen phosphate);
lubricants (e.g., magnesium stearate, talc, or silica);
disintegrants (e.g., potato starch or sodium starch glycolate); or
wetting agents (e.g., sodium lauryl sulphate). The tablets may be
coated by methods well-known in the art. Liquid preparations for
oral administration may take the form of, but not limited to,
solutions, syrups or suspensions, or they may be presented as a dry
product for constitution with water or other suitable vehicle
before use. Such liquid preparations may be prepared by
conventional means with pharmaceutically acceptable additives such
as suspending agents (e.g., sorbitol syrup, cellulose derivatives,
or hydrogenated edible fats); emulsifying agents (e.g., lecithin or
acacia); non-aqueous vehicles (e.g., almond oil, oily esters, ethyl
alcohol, or fractionated vegetable oils); and preservatives (e.g.,
methyl or propyl-p-hydroxybenzoates or sorbic acid). The
preparations may also contain buffer salts, flavoring, coloring,
and sweetening agents as appropriate. Preparations for oral
administration may be suitably formulated for slow release,
controlled release, or sustained release of a prophylactic or
therapeutic agent(s).
[0421] The method of the invention may comprise pulmonary
administration, e.g., by use of an inhaler or nebulizer, of a
composition formulated with an aerosolizing agent. See, e.g., U.S.
Pat. Nos. 6,019,968, 5,985,320, 5,985,309, 5,934,272, 5,874,064,
5,855,913, 5,290,540, and 4,880,078; and PCT Publication Nos. WO
92/19244, WO 97/32572, WO 97/44013, WO 98/31346, and WO 99/66903,
each of which is incorporated herein by reference their entirety.
In a specific embodiment, an antibody of the invention, combination
therapy, and/or composition of the invention is administered using
Alkermes AIR.TM. pulmonary drug delivery technology (Alkermes,
Inc., Cambridge, Mass.).
[0422] The method of the invention may comprise administration of a
composition formulated for parenteral administration by injection
(e.g., by bolus injection or continuous infusion). Formulations for
injection may be presented in unit dosage form (e.g., in ampoules
or in multi-dose containers) with an added preservative. The
compositions may take such forms as suspensions, solutions or
emulsions in oily or aqueous vehicles, and may contain formulatory
agents such as suspending, stabilizing and/or dispersing agents.
Alternatively, the active ingredient may be in powder form for
constitution with a suitable vehicle (e.g., sterile pyrogen-free
water) before use.
[0423] The methods of the invention may additionally comprise of
administration of compositions formulated as depot preparations.
Such long acting formulations may be administered by implantation
(e.g., subcutaneously or intramuscularly) or by intramuscular
injection. Thus, for example, the compositions may be formulated
with suitable polymeric or hydrophobic materials (e.g., as an
emulsion in an acceptable oil) or ion exchange resins, or as
sparingly soluble derivatives (e.g., as a sparingly soluble
salt).
[0424] The methods of the invention encompasses administration of
compositions formulated as neutral or salt forms. Pharmaceutically
acceptable salts include those formed with anions such as those
derived from hydrochloric, phosphoric, acetic, oxalic, tartaric
acids, etc., and those formed with cations such as those derived
from sodium, potassium, ammonium, calcium, ferric hydroxides,
isopropylamine, triethylamine, 2-ethylamino ethanol, histidine,
procaine, etc.
[0425] Generally, the ingredients of compositions are supplied
either separately or mixed together in unit dosage form, for
example, as a dry lyophilized powder or water free concentrate in a
hermetically sealed container such as an ampoule or sachette
indicating the quantity of active agent. Where the mode of
administration is infusion, composition can be dispensed with an
infusion bottle containing sterile pharmaceutical grade water or
saline. Where the mode of administration is by injection, an
ampoule of sterile water for injection or saline can be provided so
that the ingredients may be mixed prior to administration.
[0426] In particular, the invention also provides that one or more
of the prophylactic or therapeutic agents, or pharmaceutical
compositions of the invention is packaged in a hermetically sealed
container such as an ampoule or sachette indicating the quantity of
the agent. In one embodiment, one or more of the prophylactic or
therapeutic agents, or pharmaceutical compositions of the invention
is supplied as a dry sterilized lyophilized powder or water free
concentrate in a hermetically sealed container and can be
reconstituted (e.g., with water or saline) to the appropriate
concentration for administration to a subject. Preferably, one or
more of the prophylactic or therapeutic agents or pharmaceutical
compositions of the invention is supplied as a dry sterile
lyophilized powder in a hermetically sealed container at a unit
dosage of at least 5 mg, more preferably at least 10 mg, at least
15 mg, at least 25 mg, at least 35 mg, at least 45 mg, at least 50
mg, at least 75 mg, or at least 100 mg. The lyophilized
prophylactic or therapeutic agents or pharmaceutical compositions
of the invention should be stored at between 2.degree. C. and
8.degree. C. in its original container and the prophylactic or
therapeutic agents, or pharmaceutical compositions of the invention
should be administered within 1 week, preferably within 5 days,
within 72 hours, within 48 hours, within 24 hours, within 12 hours,
within 6 hours, within 5 hours, within 3 hours, or within 1 hour
after being reconstituted. In an alternative embodiment, one or
more of the prophylactic or therapeutic agents or pharmaceutical
compositions of the invention is supplied in liquid form in a
hermetically sealed container indicating the quantity and
concentration of the agent. Preferably, the liquid form of the
administered composition is supplied in a hermetically sealed
container at least 0.25 mg/ml, more preferably at least 0.5 mg/ml,
at least 1 mg/ml, at least 2.5 mg/ml, at least 5 mg/ml, at least 8
mg/ml, at least 10 mg/ml, at least 15 mg/kg, at least 25 mg/ml, at
least 50 mg/ml, at least 75 mg/ml or at least 100 mg/ml. The liquid
form should be stored at between 2.degree. C. and 8.degree. C. in
its original container.
[0427] Generally, the ingredients of the compositions of the
invention are derived from a subject that is the same species
origin or species reactivity as recipient of such compositions.
Thus, in a preferred embodiment, human or humanized antibodies are
administered to a human patient for therapy or prophylaxis.
[0428] 5.4.1 Gene Therapy
[0429] In a specific embodiment, nucleotide sequences comprising
nucleic acids encoding an antibody of the invention or another
prophylactic or therapeutic agent are administered to treat,
prevent, manage, and/or ameliorate respiratory infection or one or
more symptoms thereof by way of gene therapy. Gene therapy refers
to therapy performed by the administration to a subject of an
expressed or expressible nucleic acid. In this embodiment of the
invention, the nucleic acids produce their encoded antibody of the
invention or prophylactic or therapeutic agent that mediates a
prophylactic or therapeutic effect.
[0430] Any of the methods for gene therapy available in the art can
be used according to the present invention. For general reviews of
the methods of gene therapy, see Goldspiel et al., 1993, Clinical
Pharmacy 12:488-505; Wu and Wu, 1991, Biotherapy 3:87-95;
Tolstoshev, 1993, Ann. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxicol. 32:573-596;
Mulligan, Science 260:926-932 (1993); and Morgan and Anderson,
1993, Ann. Rev. Biochem. 62:191-217; May, 1993, TIBTECH 11(5):
155-215. Methods commonly known in the art of recombinant DNA
technology which can be used are described in Ausubel et al.
(eds.), Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley &
Sons, NY (1993); and Kriegler, Gene Transfer and Expression, A
Laboratory Manual, Stockton Press, NY (1990).
[0431] In one embodiment, the method of the invention comprises
administration of a composition comprising nucleic acids encoding
an antibody of the invention or another prophylactic or therapeutic
agent, said nucleic acids being part of an expression vector that
expresses an antibody of the invention, another prophylactic or
therapeutic agent, or fragments or chimeric proteins or heavy or
light chains thereof in a suitable host. In particular, such
nucleic acids have promoters, preferably heterologous promoters,
operably linked to the antibody coding region, said promoter being
inducible or constitutive, and, optionally, tissue-specific. In
another embodiment, nucleic acid molecules are used in which the
coding sequences of an antibody of the invention or another
prophylactic or therapeutic agent and any other desired sequences
are flanked by regions that promote homologous recombination at a
desired site in the genome, thus providing for intrachromosomal
expression of the antibody encoding nucleic acids (Koller and
Smithies, 1989, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86:8932-8935; Zijlstra
et al., 1989, Nature 342:435-438). In specific embodiments, the
expressed antibody of the invention or other prophylactic or
therapeutic agent is a single chain antibody; alternatively, the
nucleic acid sequences include sequences encoding both the heavy
and light chains, or fragments thereof, of the antibody of the
invention or another prophylactic or therapeutic agent.
[0432] Delivery of the nucleic acids into a subject may be either
direct, in which case the subject is directly exposed to the
nucleic acid or nucleic acid-carrying vectors, or indirect, in
which case, cells are first transformed with the nucleic acids in
vitro, then transplanted into the subject. These two approaches are
known, respectively, as in vivo or ex vivo gene therapy.
[0433] In a specific embodiment, the nucleic acid sequences are
directly administered in vivo, where they are expressed to produce
the encoded product. This can be accomplished by any of numerous
methods known in the art, e.g., by constructing them as part of an
appropriate nucleic acid expression vector and administering it so
that they become intracellular, e.g., by infection using defective
or attenuated retrovirals or other viral vectors (see U.S. Pat. No.
4,980,286), or by direct injection of naked DNA, or by use of
microparticle bombardment (e.g., a gene gun; Biolistic, Dupont), or
coating with lipids or cell-surface receptors or transfecting
agents, encapsulation in liposomes, microparticles, or
microcapsules, or by administering them in linkage to a peptide
which is known to enter the nucleus, by administering it in linkage
to a ligand subject to receptor-mediated endocytosis (see, e.g., Wu
and Wu, 1987, J. Biol. Chem. 262:4429-4432) (which can be used to
target cell types specifically expressing the receptors). In
another embodiment, nucleic acid-ligand complexes can be formed in
which the ligand comprises a fusogenic viral peptide to disrupt
endosomes, allowing the nucleic acid to avoid lysosomal
degradation. In yet another embodiment, the nucleic acid can be
targeted in vivo for cell specific uptake and expression, by
targeting a specific receptor (see, e.g., International Publication
Nos. WO 92/06180; WO 92/22635; WO92/20316; WO93/14188; and WO
93/20221). Alternatively, the nucleic acid can be introduced
intracellularly and incorporated within host cell DNA for
expression, by homologous recombination (Koller and Smithies, 1989,
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86:8932-8935; and Zijlstra et al., 1989,
Nature 342:435-438).
[0434] In a specific embodiment, viral vectors that contains
nucleic acid sequences encoding an antibody of the invention,
another prophylactic or therapeutic agent, or fragments thereof are
used. For example, a retroviral vector can be used (see Miller et
al., 1993, Meth. Enzymol. 217:581-599). These retroviral vectors
contain the components necessary for the correct packaging of the
viral genome and integration into the host cell DNA. The nucleic
acid sequences encoding an antibody of the invention or another
prophylactic or therapeutic agent to be used in gene therapy are
cloned into one or more vectors, which facilitates delivery of the
gene into a subject. More detail about retroviral vectors can be
found in Boesen et al., 1994, Biotherapy 6:291-302, which describes
the use of a retroviral vector to deliver the mdr 1 gene to
hematopoietic stem cells in order to make the stem cells more
resistant to chemotherapy. Other references illustrating the use of
retroviral vectors in gene therapy are: Clowes et al., 1994, J.
Clin. Invest. 93:644-651; Klein et al., 1994, Blood 83:1467-1473;
Salmons and Gunzberg, 1993, Human Gene Therapy 4:129-141; and
Grossman and Wilson, 1993, Curr. Opin. in Genetics and Devel.
3:110-114.
[0435] Adenoviruses are other viral vectors that can be used in
gene therapy. Adenoviruses are especially attractive vehicles for
delivering genes to respiratory epithelia. Adenoviruses naturally
infect respiratory epithelia where they cause a mild disease. Other
targets for adenovirus-based delivery systems are liver, the
central nervous system, endothelial cells, and muscle. Adenoviruses
have the advantage of being capable of infecting non-dividing
cells. Kozarsky and Wilson, 1993, Current Opinion in Genetics and
Development 3:499-503 present a review of adenovirus-based gene
therapy. Bout et al., 1994, Human Gene Therapy 5:3-10 demonstrated
the use of adenovirus vectors to transfer genes to the respiratory
epithelia of rhesus monkeys. Other instances of the use of
adenoviruses in gene therapy can be found in Rosenfeld et al.,
1991, Science 252:431-434; Rosenfeld et al., 1992, Cell 68:143-155;
Mastrangeli et al., 1993, J. Clin. Invest. 91:225-234; PCT
Publication WO94/12649; and Wang et al., 1995, Gene Therapy
2:775-783. In a preferred embodiment, adenovirus vectors are
used.
[0436] Adeno-associated virus (AAV) has also been proposed for use
in gene therapy (Walsh et al., 1993, Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med.
204:289-300; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,436,146).
[0437] Another approach to gene therapy involves transferring a
gene to cells in tissue culture by such methods as electroporation,
lipofection, calcium phosphate mediated transfection, or viral
infection. Usually, the method of transfer includes the transfer of
a selectable marker to the cells. The cells are then placed under
selection to isolate those cells that have taken up and are
expressing the transferred gene. Those cells are then delivered to
a subject.
[0438] In this embodiment, the nucleic acid is introduced into a
cell prior to administration in vivo of the resulting recombinant
cell. Such introduction can be carried out by any method known in
the art, including but not limited to transfection,
electroporation, microinjection, infection with a viral or
bacteriophage vector containing the nucleic acid sequences, cell
fusion, chromosome-mediated gene transfer, microcell-mediated gene
transfer, spheroplast fusion, etc. Numerous techniques are known in
the art for the introduction of foreign genes into cells (see,
e.g., Loeffler and Behr, 1993, Meth. Enzymol. 217:599-618; Cohen et
al., 1993, Meth. Enzymol. 217:618-644; Clin. Pharma. Ther. 29:69-92
(1985)) and may be used in accordance with the present invention,
provided that the necessary developmental and physiological
functions of the recipient cells are not disrupted. The technique
should provide for the stable transfer of the nucleic acid to the
cell, so that the nucleic acid is expressible by the cell and
preferably heritable and expressible by its cell progeny.
[0439] The resulting recombinant cells can be delivered to a
subject by various methods known in the art. Recombinant blood
cells (e.g., hematopoietic stem or progenitor cells) are preferably
administered intravenously. The amount of cells envisioned for use
depends on the several factors including, but not limited to, the
desired effects and the patient state, and can be determined by one
skilled in the art.
[0440] Cells into which a nucleic acid can be introduced for
purposes of gene therapy encompass any desired, available cell
type, and include but are not limited to epithelial cells,
endothelial cells, keratinocytes, fibroblasts, muscle cells,
hepatocytes; blood cells such as T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes,
monocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, eosinophils, mast cells,
megakaryocytes, granulocytes; various stem or progenitor cells, in
particular hematopoietic stem or progenitor cells (e.g., as
obtained from bone marrow, umbilical cord blood, peripheral blood,
fetal liver, etc.). In a preferred embodiment, the cell used for
gene therapy is autologous to the subject.
[0441] In an embodiment in which recombinant cells are used in gene
therapy, nucleic acid sequences encoding an antibody or fragment
thereof are introduced into the cells such that they are
expressible by the cells or their progeny, and the recombinant
cells are then administered in vivo for therapeutic effect. In a
specific embodiment, stem or progenitor cells are used. Any stem
and/or progenitor cells which can be isolated and maintained in
vitro can potentially be used in accordance with this embodiment of
the present invention (see e.g., PCT Publication WO 94/08598;
Stemple and Anderson, 1992, Cell 7 1:973-985; Rheinwald, 1980,
Meth. Cell Bio. 21A:229; and Pittelkow and Scott, 1986, Mayo Clinic
Proc. 61:771).
[0442] In a specific embodiment, the nucleic acid to be introduced
for purposes of gene therapy comprises an inducible promoter
operably linked to the coding region, such that expression of the
nucleic acid is controllable by controlling the presence or absence
of the appropriate inducer of transcription.
5.5 Dosage & Frequency of Administration
[0443] The amount of a prophylactic or therapeutic agent or a
composition of the invention which will be effective in the
prevention, treatment, management, and/or amelioration of a
disorder associated with aberrant expression and/or activity of an
IL-9 polypeptide, a disorder associated with aberrant expression
and/or activity of an IL-9R or one or more subunits thereof, an
autoimmune disorder, an inflammatory disorder, a proliferative
disorder, or an infections (preferably, a respiratory infection),
or one or more symptoms thereof can be determined by standard
clinical methods. The frequency and dosage will vary also according
to factors specific for each patient depending on the specific
therapies (e.g., the specific therapeutic or prophylactic agent or
agents) administered, the severity of the disorder, disease, or
condition, the route of administration, as well as age, body,
weight, response, and the past medical history of the patient. For
example, the dosage of a prophylactic or therapeutic agent or a
composition of the invention which will be effective in the
treatment, prevention, management, and/or amelioration of a
disorder associated with aberrant expression and/or activity of an
IL-9 polypeptide, a disorder associated with aberrant expression
and/or activity of an IL-9R or one or more subunits thereof, an
autoimmune disorder, an inflammatory disorder, a proliferative
disorder, or an infections (preferably, a respiratory infection),
or one or more symptoms thereof can be determined by administering
the composition to an animal model such as, e.g., the animal models
disclosed herein or known in to those skilled in the art. In
addition, in vitro assays may optionally be employed to help
identify optimal dosage ranges. Suitable regimens can be select4ed
by one skilled in the art by considering such factors and by
following, for example, dosages are reported in literature and
recommended in the Physician's Desk Reference (57th ed., 2003).
[0444] Exemplary doses of a small molecule include milligram or
microgram amounts of the small molecule per kilogram of subject or
sample weight (e.g., about 1 microgram per kilogram to about 500
milligrams per kilogram, about 100 micrograms per kilogram to about
5 milligrams per kilogram, or about 1 microgram per kilogram to
about 50 micrograms per kilogram).
[0445] For antibodies, proteins, polypeptides, peptides and fusion
proteins encompassed by the invention, the dosage administered to a
patient is typically 0.0001 mg/kg to 100 mg/kg of the patient's
body weight. Preferably, the dosage administered to a patient is
between 0.0001 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg, 0.0001 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg,
0.0001 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg, 0.0001 and 2 mg/kg, 0.0001 and 1 mg/kg,
0.0001 mg/kg and 0.75 mg/kg, 0.0001 mg/kg and 0.5 mg/kg, 0.0001
mg/kg to 0.25 mg/kg, 0.0001 to 0.15 mg/kg, 0.0001 to 0.10 mg/kg,
0.001 to 0.5 mg/kg, 0.01 to 0.25 mg/kg or 0.01 to 0.10 mg/kg of the
patient's body weight. Generally, human antibodies have a longer
half-life within the human body than antibodies from other species
due to the immune response to the foreign polypeptides. Thus, lower
dosages of human antibodies and less frequent administration is
often possible. Further, the dosage and frequency of administration
of antibodies of the invention or fragments thereof may be reduced
by enhancing uptake and tissue penetration of the antibodies by
modifications such as, for example, lipidation.
[0446] In a specific embodiment, the dosage administered to a
patient will be calculated using the patient's weight in kilograms
(kg) multiplied by the dose to be administered in mg/kg. The
required volume (in mL) to be given is then determined by taking
the mg dose required divided by the concentration of the antibody
or fragment thereof in the formulations (100 mg/mL). The final
calculated required volume will be obtained by pooling the contents
of as many vials as are necessary into syringe(s) to administer the
drug. A maximum volume of 2.0 mL of antibody or fragment thereof in
the formulations can be injected per site.
[0447] In a specific embodiment, the dosage of antibodies,
compositions, or combination therapies of the invention
administered to prevent, treat, manage, and/or ameliorate a
disorder associated with aberrant expression and/or activity of an
IL-9 polypeptide, a disorder associated with aberrant expression
and/or activity of an IL-9R or one or more subunits thereof, an
autoimmune disorder, an inflammatory disorder, a proliferative
disorder, or an infection (preferably, a respiratory infection), or
one or more symptoms thereof in a patient is 150 .mu.g/kg or less,
preferably 125 .mu.g/kg or less, 100 .mu.g/kg or less, 95 .mu.g/kg
or less, 90 .mu.g/kg or less, 85 .mu.g/kg or less, 80 .mu.g/kg or
less, 75 .mu.g/kg or less, 70 .mu.g/kg or less, 65 .mu.g/kg or
less, 60 .mu.g/kg or less, 55 .mu.g/kg or less, 50 .mu.g/kg or
less, 45 .mu.g/kg or less, 40 .mu.g/kg or less, 35 .mu.g/kg or
less, 30 .mu.g/kg or less, 25 .mu.g/kg or less, 20 .mu.g/kg or
less, 15 .mu.g/kg or less, 10 .mu.g/kg or less, 5 .mu.g/kg or less,
2.5 .mu.g/kg or less, 2 .mu.g/kg or less, 1.5 .mu.g/kg or less, 1
.mu.g/kg or less, 0.5 .mu.g/kg or less, or 0.5 .mu.g/kg or less of
a patient's body weight. In another embodiment, the dosage of the
antibodies, compositions, or combination therapies of the invention
administered to prevent, treat, manage, and/or ameliorate a
disorder associated with aberrant expression and/or activity of an
IL-9 polypeptide, a disorder associated with aberrant expression
and/or activity of an IL-9R or one or more subunits thereof, an
autoimmune disorder, an inflammatory disorder, a proliferative
disorder, an infection (preferably, a respiratory infection), or
one or more symptoms thereof in a patient is a unit dose of 0.1 mg
to 20 mg, 0.1 mg to 15 mg, 0.1 mg to 12 mg, 0.1 mg to 10 mg, 0.1 mg
to 8 mg, 0.1 mg to 7 mg, 0.1 mg to 5 mg, 0.1 to 2.5 mg, 0.25 mg to
20 mg, 0.25 to 15 mg, 0.25 to 12 mg, 0.25 to 10 mg, 0.25 to 8 mg,
0.25 mg to 7 mg, 0.25 mg to 5 mg, 0.5 mg to 2.5 mg, 1 mg to 20 mg,
1 mg to 15 mg, 1 mg to 12 mg, 1 mg to 10 mg, 1 mg to 8 mg, 1 mg to
7 mg, 1 mg to 5 mg, or 1 mg to 2.5 mg.
[0448] In certain embodiments, a subject is administered one or
more doses of an effective amount of one or more antibodies,
compositions, or combination therapies of the invention, wherein
the an effective amount of said antibodies, compositions, or
combination therapies prevents at least 20% to 25%, preferably at
least 25% to 30%, at least 30% to 35%, at least 35% to 40%, at
least 40% to 45%, at least 45% to 50%, at least 50% to 55%, at
least 55% to 60%, at least 60% to 65%, at least 65% to 70%, at
least 70% to 75%, at least 75% to 80%, or up to at least 85% of
endogenous IL-9 from binding to its receptor. In certain
embodiments, a subject is administered one or more doses of an
effective amount of one or more or more antibodies, compositions,
or combination therapies of the invention, wherein the dose of an
effective amount of said antibodies, compositions, or combination
therapies reduces and/or inhibits mast cell degranulation at least
20% to 25%, preferably at least 25% to 30%, at least 30% to 35%, at
least 35% to 40%, at least 40% to 45%, at least 45% to 50%, at
least 50% to 55%, at least 55% to 60%, at least 60% to 65%, at
least 65% to 70%, at least 70% to 75%, at least 75% to 80%, at
least 80 to 85%, at least 85% to 90%, at least 90% to 95%, or at
least 95% to 98% relative to a control such as PBS in an in vitro
and/or in vivo assay well-known in the art. In certain embodiments,
a subject is administered one or more doses of an effective amount
of one or more or more antibodies, compositions, or combination
therapies of the invention, wherein the dose of an effective amount
of said antibodies, compositions, or combination therapies reduces
and/or inhibits mast cell activation at least 20% to 25%,
preferably at least 25% to 30%, at least 30% to 35%, at least 35%
to 40%, at least 40% to 45%, at least 45% to 50%, at least 50% to
55%, at least 55% to 60%, at least 60% to 65%, at least 65% to 70%,
at least 70% to 75%, at least 75% to 80%, at least 80 to 85%, at
least 85% to 90%, at least 90% to 95%, or at least 95% to 98%
relative to a control such as PBS in an in vitro and/or in vivo
assay well-known in the art. In certain embodiments, a subject is
administered one or more doses of an effective amount of one or
more or more antibodies, compositions, or combination therapies of
the invention, wherein the dose of an effective amount of said
antibodies, compositions, or combination therapies reduces and/or
inhibits mast cell proliferation at least 20% to 25%, preferably at
least 25% to 30%, at least 30% to 35%, at least 35% to 40%, at
least 40% to 45%, at least 45% to 50%, at least 50% to 55%, at
least 55% to 60%, at least 60% to 65%, at least 65% to 70%, at
least 70% to 75%, at least 75% to 80%, at least 80 to 85%, at least
85% to 90%, at least 90% to 95%, or at least 95% to 98% relative to
a control such as PBS in an in vitro and/or in vivo assay
well-known in the art. In certain embodiments, a subject is
administered one or more doses of an effective amount of one or
more or more antibodies, compositions, or combination therapies of
the invention, wherein the dose of an effective amount of said
antibodies, compositions, or combination therapies reduces and/or
inhibits mast cell infiltration at least 20% to 25%, preferably at
least 25% to 30%, at least 30% to 35%, at least 35% to 40%, at
least 40% to 45%, at least 45% to 50%, at least 50% to 55%, at
least 55% to 60%, at least 60% to 65%, at least 65% to 70%, at
least 70% to 75%, at least 75% to 80%, at least 80 to 85%, at least
85% to 90%, at least 90% to 95%, or at least 95% to 98% relative to
a control such as PBS in an in vitro and/or in vivo assay
well-known in the art.
[0449] In other embodiments, a subject is administered one or more
does of an effective amount of one or more antibodies of the
invention, wherein the dose of an effective amount achieves a serum
titer of at least 0.1 .mu.g/ml, at least 0.5 .mu.g/ml, at least 1
.mu.g/ml, at least 2 .mu.g/ml, at least 5 .mu.g/ml, at least 6
.mu.g/ml, at least 10 .mu.g/ml, at least 15 .mu.g/ml, at least 20
.mu.g/ml, at least 25 .mu.g/ml, at least 50 .mu.g/ml, at least 100
.mu.g/ml, at least 125 .mu.g/ml, at least 150 .mu.g/ml, at least
175 .mu.g/ml, at least 200 .mu.g/ml, at least 225 .mu.g/ml, at
least 250 .mu.g/ml, at least 275 .mu.g/ml, at least 300 .mu.g/ml,
at least 325 .mu.g/ml, at least 350 .mu.g/ml, at least 375
.mu.g/ml, or at least 400 .mu.g/ml of the antibodies of the
invention. In yet other embodiments, a subject is administered a
dose of an effective amount of one or more antibodies of the
invention to achieve a serum titer of at least 0.1 .mu.g/ml, at
least 0.5 .mu.g/ml, at least 1 .mu.g/ml, at least, 2 g/ml, at least
5 g/ml, at least 6 .mu.g/ml, at least 10 .mu.g/ml, at least 15
.mu.g/ml, at least 20 .mu.g/ml, at least 25 .mu.g/ml, at least 50
.mu.g/ml, at least 100 .mu.g/ml, at least 125 .mu.g/ml, at least
150 .mu.g/ml, at least 175 .mu.g/ml, at least 200 .mu.g/ml, at
least 225 .mu.g/ml, at least 250 .mu.g/ml, at least 275 .mu.g/ml,
at least 300 .mu.g/ml, at least 325 .mu.g/ml, at least 350
.mu.g/ml, at least 375 .mu.g/ml, or at least 400 .mu.g/ml of the
antibodies and a subsequent dose of an effective amount of one or
more antibodies of the invention is administered to maintain a
serum titer of at least 0.1 .mu.g/ml, 0.5 .mu.g/ml, 1 .mu.g/ml, at
least, 2 .mu.g/ml, at least 5 .mu.g/ml, at least 6 .mu.g/ml, at
least 10 .mu.g/ml, at least 15 .mu.g/ml, at least 20 .mu.g/ml, at
least 25 .mu.g/ml, at least 50 .mu.g/ml, at least 100 .mu.g/ml, at
least 125 .mu.g/ml, at least 150 .mu.g/ml, at least 175 .mu.g/ml,
at least 200 .mu.g/ml, at least 225 .mu.g/ml, at least 250
.mu.g/ml, at least 275 .mu.g/ml, at least 300 .mu.g/ml, at least
325 .mu.g/ml, at least 350 .mu.g/ml, at least 375 .mu.g/ml, or at
least 400 .mu.g/ml. In accordance with these embodiments, a subject
may be administered 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or more
subsequent doses.
[0450] In a specific embodiment, the invention provides methods of
preventing, treating, managing, or treating a disease or disorder
associated with or characterized by aberrant expression and/or
activity of an IL-9 polypeptide, a disease or disorder associated
with or characterized with aberrant expression and/or activity of
an IL-9R or one or more subunits thereof, an autoimmune disease, an
inflammatory disease, a proliferative disease, or an infection
(preferably, a respiratory infection) or one or more symptoms
thereof, said method comprising administering to a subject in need
thereof a dose of at least 10 .mu.g, preferably at least 15 .mu.g,
at least 20 .mu.g, at least 25 .mu.g, at least 30 .mu.g, at least
35 .mu.g, at least .mu.g, at least 45 .mu.g, at least 50 .mu.g, at
least 55 .mu.g, at least 60 .mu.g, at least 65 .mu.g, at least 70
.mu.g, at least 75 .mu.g, at least 80 .mu.g, at least 85 .mu.g, at
least 90 .mu.g, at least 95 .mu.g, at least 100 .mu.g, at least 105
.mu.g, at least 110 .mu.g, at least 115 .mu.g, or at least 120
.mu.g of one or more antibodies, combination therapies, or
compositions of the invention. In another embodiment, the invention
provides a method of preventing, treating, managing, and/or
ameliorating a disease or disorder associated with or characterized
by aberrant expression and/or activity of an IL-9 polypeptide, a
disease or disorder associated with or characterized with aberrant
expression and/or activity of an IL-9R or one or more subunits
thereof, an autoimmune disease, an inflammatory disease, a
proliferative disease, or an infection (preferably, a respiratory
infection) or one or more symptoms thereof, said methods comprising
administering to a subject in need thereof a dose of at least 10
.mu.g, preferably at least 15 .mu.g, at least 20 .mu.g, at least 25
.mu.g, at least 30 .mu.g, at least 35 .mu.g, at least 40 .mu.g, at
least 45 .mu.g, at least 50 .mu.g, at least 55 .mu.g, at least 60
.mu.g, at least 65 .mu.g, at least 70 .mu.g, at least 75 .mu.g, at
least 80 .mu.g, at least 85 .mu.g, at least 90 .mu.g, at least 95
.mu.g, at least 100 .mu.g, at least 105 .mu.g, at least 110 .mu.g,
at least 115 .mu.g, or at least 120 .mu.g of one or more
antibodies, combination therapies, or compositions of the invention
once every 3 days, preferably, once every 4 days, once every 5
days, once every 6 days, once every 7 days, once every 8 days, once
every 10 days, once every two weeks, once every three weeks, or
once a month.
[0451] The present invention provides methods of preventing,
treating, managing, or preventing a disease or disorder associated
with or characterized by aberrant expression and/or activity of an
IL-9 polypeptide, a disease or disorder associated with or
characterized with aberrant expression and/or activity of an IL-9R
or one or more subunits thereof, an autoimmune disease, an
inflammatory disease, a proliferative disease, or an infection
(preferably, a respiratory infection) or one or more symptoms
thereof, said method comprising: (a) administering to a subject in
need thereof one or more doses of a prophylactically or
therapeutically effective amount of one or more antibodies,
combination therapies, or compositions of the invention; and (b)
monitoring the plasma level/concentration of the said administered
antibody or antibodies in said subject after administration of a
certain number of doses of the said antibody or antibodies.
Moreover, preferably, said certain number of doses is 1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 doses of a prophylactically or
therapeutically effective amount one or more antibodies,
compositions, or combination therapies of the invention.
[0452] In a specific embodiment, the invention provides a method of
preventing, treating, managing, and/or ameliorating a disease or
disorder associated with or characterized by aberrant expression
and/or activity of an IL-9 polypeptide, a disease or disorder
associated with or characterized with aberrant expression and/or
activity of an IL-9R or one or more subunits thereof, an autoimmune
disease, an inflammatory disease, a proliferative disease, or an
infection (preferably, a respiratory infection) or one or more
symptoms thereof, said method comprising: (a) administering to a
subject in need thereof a dose of at least 10 .mu.g (preferably at
least 15 .mu.g, at least 20 .mu.g, at least 25 .mu.g, at least 30
.mu.g, at least 35 .mu.g, at least 40 .mu.g, at least 45 .mu.g, at
least 50 .mu.g, at least 55 .mu.g, at least 60 .mu.g, at least 65
.mu.g, at least 70 .mu.g, at least 75 .mu.g, at least 80 .mu.g, at
least 85 .mu.g, at least 90 .mu.g, at least 95 .mu.g, or at least
100 .mu.g) of one or more antibodies of the invention; and (b)
administering one or more subsequent doses to said subject when the
plasma level of the antibody or antibodies administered in said
subject is less than 0.1 .mu.g/ml, preferably less than 0.25
.mu.g/ml, less than 0.5 .mu.g/ml, less than 0.75 .mu.g/ml, or less
than 1 .mu.g/ml. In another embodiment, the invention provides a
method of preventing, treating, managing, and/or ameliorating a
disease or disorder associated with or characterized by aberrant
expression and/or activity of an IL-9 polypeptide, a disease or
disorder associated with or characterized with aberrant expression
and/or activity of an IL-9R or one or more subunits thereof, an
autoimmune disease, an inflammatory disease, a proliferative
disease, or an infection (preferably, a respiratory infection) or
one or more symptoms thereof, said method comprising: (a)
administering to a subject in need thereof one or more doses of at
least 10 .mu.g (preferably at least 15 .mu.g, at least 20 .mu.g, at
least 25 .mu.g, at least 30 .mu.g, at least 35 .mu.g, at least 40
.mu.g, at least 45 .mu.g, at least 50 .mu.g, at least 55 .mu.g, at
least 60 .mu.g, at least 65 .mu.g, at least 70 .mu.g, at least 75
.mu.g, at least 80 .mu.g, at least 85 .mu.g, at least 90 .mu.g, at
least 95 .mu.g, or at least 100 .mu.g) of one or more antibodies of
the invention; (b) monitoring the plasma level of the administered
antibody or antibodies of the invention in said subject after the
administration of a certain number of doses; and (c) administering
a subsequent dose of the antibody or antibodies of the invention
when the plasma level of the administered antibody or antibodies in
said subject is less than 0.1 .mu.g/ml, preferably less than 0.25
.mu.g/ml, less than 0.5 .mu.g/ml, less than 0.75 .mu.g/ml, or less
than 1 .mu.g/ml. Preferably, said certain number of doses is 1, 2,
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 doses of an effective amount of
one or more antibodies of the invention.
[0453] Therapies (e.g., prophylactic or therapeutic agents), other
than antibodies of the invention, which have been or are currently
being used to prevent, treat, manage, and/or ameliorate a disease
or disorder associated with or characterized by aberrant expression
and/or activity of an IL-9 polypeptide, a disease or disorder
associated with or characterized with aberrant expression and/or
activity of an IL-9R or one or more subunits thereof, an autoimmune
disease, an inflammatory disease, a proliferative disease, or an
infection (preferably, a respiratory infection) or one or more
symptoms thereof can be administered in combination with one or
more antibodies of the invention according to the methods of the
invention to treat, manage, prevent, and/or ameliorate a disease or
disorder associated with or characterized by aberrant expression
and/or activity of an IL-9 polypeptide, a disease or disorder
associated with or characterized with aberrant expression and/or
activity of an IL-9R or one or more subunits thereof, an autoimmune
disease, an inflammatory disease, a proliferative disease, or an
infection (preferably, a respiratory infection) or one or more
symptoms thereof. Preferably, the dosages of prophylactic or
therapeutic agents used in combination therapies of the invention
are lower than those which have been or are currently being used to
prevent, treat, manage, and/or ameliorate a disease or disorder
associated with or characterized by aberrant expression and/or
activity of an IL-9 polypeptide, a disease or disorder associated
with or characterized with aberrant expression and/or activity of
an IL-9R or one or more subunits thereof, an autoimmune disease, an
inflammatory disease, a proliferative disease, or an infection
(preferably, a respiratory infection) or one or more symptoms
thereof. The recommended dosages of agents currently used for the
prevention, treatment, management, or amelioration of a disease or
disorder associated with or characterized by aberrant expression
and/or activity of an IL-9 polypeptide, a disease or disorder
associated with or characterized with aberrant expression and/or
activity of an IL-9R or one or more subunits thereof, an autoimmune
disease, an inflammatory disease, a proliferative disease, or an
infection (preferably, a respiratory infection) or one or more
symptoms thereof can be obtained from any reference in the art
including, but not limited to, Hardman et al., eds., 2001, Goodman
& Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis Of Basis Of Therapeutics,
10th ed., Mc-Graw-Hill, New York; Physician's Desk Reference (PDR)
57th ed., 2003, Medical Economics Co., Inc., Montvale, N.J., which
are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0454] In various embodiments, the therapies (e.g., prophylactic or
therapeutic agents) are administered less than 5 minutes apart,
less than 30 minutes apart, 1 hour apart, at about 1 hour apart, at
about 1 to about 2 hours apart, at about 2 hours to about 3 hours
apart, at about 3 hours to about 4 hours apart, at about 4 hours to
about 5 hours apart, at about 5 hours to about 6 hours apart, at
about 6 hours to about 7 hours apart, at about 7 hours to about 8
hours apart, at about 8 hours to about 9 hours apart, at about 9
hours to about 10 hours apart, at about 10 hours to about 11 hours
apart, at about 11 hours to about 12 hours apart, at about 12 hours
to 18 hours apart, 18 hours to 24 hours apart, 24 hours to 36 hours
apart, 36 hours to 48 hours apart, 48 hours to 52 hours apart, 52
hours to 60 hours apart, 60 hours to 72 hours apart, 72 hours to 84
hours apart, 84 hours to 96 hours apart, or 96 hours to 120 hours
part. In preferred embodiments, two or more therapies are
administered within the same patent visit.
[0455] In certain embodiments, one or more antibodies of the
invention and one or more other therapies (e.g., prophylactic or
therapeutic agents) are cyclically administered. Cycling therapy
involves the administration of a first therapy (e.g., a first
prophylactic or therapeutic agent) for a period of time, followed
by the administration of a second therapy (e.g., a second
prophylactic or therapeutic agent) for a period of time,
optionally, followed by the administration of a third therapy
(e.g., prophylactic or therapeutic agent) for a period of time and
so forth, and repeating this sequential administration, i.e., the
cycle in order to reduce the development of resistance to one of
the therapies, to avoid or reduce the side effects of one of the
therapies, and/or to improve the efficacy of the therapies.
[0456] In certain embodiments, the administration of the same
antibodies of the invention may be repeated and the administrations
may be separated by at least 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, 10
days, 15 days, 30 days, 45 days, 2 months, 75 days, 3 months, or at
least 6 months. In other embodiments, the administration of the
same therapy (e.g., prophylactic or therapeutic agent) other than
an antibody of the invention may be repeated and the administration
may be separated by at least at least 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 5
days, 10 days, 15 days, 30 days, 45 days, 2 months, 75 days, 3
months, or at least 6 months.
5.6 Biological Assays
[0457] 5.6.1 Immunospecificity of Antibodies of the Invention
[0458] Antibodies of the present invention or fragments thereof may
be characterized in a variety of ways well-known to one of skill in
the art. In particular, antibodies of the invention or fragments
thereof may be assayed for the ability to immunospecifically bind
to an IL-9 polypeptide. Such an assay may be performed in solution
(e.g., Houghten, 1992, Bio/Techniques 13:412-421), on beads (Lam,
1991, Nature 354:82-84), on chips (Fodor, 1993, Nature
364:555-556), on bacteria (U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,409), on spores
(U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,571,698; 5,403,484; and 5,223,409), on plasmids
(Cull et al., 1992, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:1865-1869) or on
phage (Scott and Smith, 1990, Science 249:386-390; Cwirla et al.,
1990, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87:6378-6382; and Felici, 1991, J.
Mol. Biol. 222:301-310) (each of these references is incorporated
herein in its entirety by reference). Antibodies or fragments
thereof that have been identified to immunospecifically bind to an
IL-9 polypeptide can then be assayed for their specificity and
affinity for an IL-9 polypeptide.
[0459] The antibodies of the invention or fragments thereof may be
assayed for immunospecific binding to an IL-9 polypeptide and
cross-reactivity with other antigens by any method known in the
art. Immunoassays which can be used to analyze immunospecific
binding and cross-reactivity include, but are not limited to,
competitive and non-competitive assay systems using techniques such
as western blots, radioimmunoassays, ELISA (enzyme linked
immunosorbent assay), "sandwich" immunoassays, immunoprecipitation
assays, precipitin reactions, gel diffusion precipitin reactions,
immunodiffusion assays, agglutination assays, complement-fixation
assays, immunoradiometric assays, fluorescent immunoassays, protein
A immunoassays, to name but a few. Such assays are routine and well
known in the art (see, e.g., Ausubel et al., eds., 1994, Current
Protocols in Molecular Biology, Vol. 1, John Wiley & Sons,
Inc., New York, which is incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety). Exemplary immunoassays are described briefly below (but
are not intended by way of limitation).
[0460] Immunoprecipitation protocols generally comprise lysing a
population of cells in a lysis buffer such as RIPA buffer (1% NP-40
or Triton X-100, 1% sodium deoxycholate, 0.1% SDS, 0.15 M NaCl,
0.01 M sodium phosphate at pH 7.2, 1% Trasylol) supplemented with
protein phosphatase and/or protease inhibitors (e.g., EDTA, PMSF,
aprotinin, sodium vanadate), adding the antibody of interest to the
cell lysate, incubating for a period of time (e.g., 1 to 4 hours)
at 40.degree. C., adding protein A and/or protein G sepharose beads
to the cell lysate, incubating for about an hour or more at
40.degree. C., washing the beads in lysis buffer and resuspending
the beads in SDS/sample buffer. The ability of the antibody of
interest to immunoprecipitate a particular antigen can be assessed
by, e.g., western blot analysis. One of skill in the art would be
knowledgeable as to the parameters that can be modified to increase
the binding of the antibody to an antigen and decrease the
background (e.g., pre-clearing the cell lysate with sepharose
beads). For further discussion regarding immunoprecipitation
protocols see, e.g., Ausubel et al., eds, 1994, Current Protocols
in Molecular Biology, Vol. 1, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York
at 10.16.1.
[0461] Western blot analysis generally comprises preparing protein
samples, electrophoresis of the protein samples in a polyacrylamide
gel (e.g., 8%-20% SDS-PAGE depending on the molecular weight of the
antigen), transferring the protein sample from the polyacrylamide
gel to a membrane such as nitrocellulose, PVDF or nylon, incubating
the membrane in blocking solution (e.g., PBS with 3% BSA or non-fat
milk), washing the membrane in washing buffer (e.g., PBS-Tween 20),
incubating the membrane with primary antibody (the antibody of
interest) diluted in blocking buffer, washing the membrane in
washing buffer, incubating the membrane with a secondary antibody
(which recognizes the primary antibody, e.g., an anti-human
antibody) conjugated to an enzymatic substrate (e.g., horseradish
peroxidase or alkaline phosphatase) or radioactive molecule (e.g.,
.sup.32P or .sup.125I) diluted in blocking buffer, washing the
membrane in wash buffer, and detecting the presence of the antigen.
One of skill in the art would be knowledgeable as to the parameters
that can be modified to increase the signal detected and to reduce
the background noise. For further discussion regarding western blot
protocols see, e.g., Ausubel et al, eds, 1994, Current Protocols in
Molecular Biology, Vol. 1, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York at
10.8.1.
[0462] ELISAs comprise preparing antigen, coating the well of a 96
well microtiter plate with the antigen, adding the antibody of
interest conjugated to a detectable compound such as an enzymatic
substrate (e.g., horseradish peroxidase or alkaline phosphatase) to
the well and incubating for a period of time, and detecting the
presence of the antigen. In ELISAs the antibody of interest does
not have to be conjugated to a detectable compound; instead, a
second antibody (which recognizes the antibody of interest)
conjugated to a detectable compound may be added to the well.
Further, instead of coating the well with the antigen, the antibody
may be coated to the well. In this case, a second antibody
conjugated to a detectable compound may be added following the
addition of the antigen of interest to the coated well. One of
skill in the art would be knowledgeable as to the parameters that
can be modified to increase the signal detected as well as other
variations of ELISAs known in the art. In a preferred embodiment,
an ELISA may be performed by coating a high binding 96-well
microtiter plate (Costar) with 2 .mu.g/ml of rhu-IL-9 in PBS
overnight. Following three washes with PBS, the plate is incubated
with three-fold serial dilutions of Fab at 25.degree. C. for 1
hour. Following another three washes of PBS, 1 .mu.g/ml anti-human
kappa-alkaline phosphatase-conjugate is added and the plate is
incubated for 1 hour at 25.degree. C. Following three washes with
PBST, the alkaline phosphatase activity is determined in 50
.mu.l/AMP/PPMP substrate. The reactions are stopped and the
absorbance at 560 nm is determined with a VMAX microplate reader.
For further discussion regarding ELISAs see, e.g., Ausubel et al,
eds, 1994, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Vol. 1, John
Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York at 11.2.1.
[0463] The binding affinity of an antibody to an antigen and the
off-rate of an antibody-antigen interaction can be determined by
competitive binding assays. One example of a competitive binding
assay is a radioimmunoassay comprising the incubation of labeled
antigen (e.g., .sup.3H or .sup.125I) with the antibody of interest
in the presence of increasing amounts of unlabeled antigen, and the
detection of the antibody bound to the labeled antigen. The
affinity of the antibody of the present invention or a fragment
thereof for an IL-9 polypeptide and the binding off-rates can be
determined from the data by scatchard plot analysis. Competition
with a second antibody can also be determined using
radioimmunoassays. In this case, an IL-9 polypeptide is incubated
with an antibody of the present invention conjugated to a labeled
compound (e.g., .sup.3H or .sup.125I) in the presence of increasing
amounts of an unlabeled second antibody.
[0464] In a preferred embodiment, BIAcore kinetic analysis is used
to determine the binding on and off rates of antibodies of the
invention to an IL-9 polypeptide. BIAcore kinetic analysis
comprises analyzing the binding and dissociation of an IL-9
polypeptide from chips with immobilized antibodies of the invention
on their surface. A typical BIAcore kinetic study involves the
injection of 250 .mu.L of an antibody reagent (mAb, Fab) at varying
concentration in HBS buffer containing 0.005% Tween-20 over a
sensor chip surface, onto which has been immobilized the antigen.
The flow rate is maintained constant at 75 .mu.L/min. Dissociation
data is collected for 15 min. or longer as necessary. Following
each injection/dissociation cycle, the bound mAb is removed from
the antigen surface using brief, 1 min. pulses of dilute acid,
typically 10-100 mM HCl, though other regenerants are employed as
the circumstances warrant. More specifically, for measurement of
the rates of association, k.sub.on, and dissociation, k.sub.off,
the antigen is directly immobilized onto the sensor chip surface
through the use of standard amine coupling chemistries, namely the
EDC/NHS method (EDC=N-diethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide). Briefly, a
5-100 nM solution of the antigen in 10 mM NaOAc, pH4 or pH5 is
prepared and passed over the EDC/NHS-activated surface until
approximately 30-50 RU's worth of antigen are immobilized.
Following this, the unreacted active esters are "capped" off with
an injection of 1M Et-NH2. A blank surface, containing no antigen,
is prepared under identical immobilization conditions for reference
purposes. Once an appropriate surface has been prepared, a suitable
dilution series of each one of the antibody reagents is prepared in
HBS/Tween-20, and passed over both the antigen and reference cell
surfaces, which are connected in series. The range of antibody
concentrations that are prepared varies, depending on what the
equilibrium binding constant, K.sub.D, is estimated to be. As
described above, the bound antibody is removed after each
injection/dissociation cycle using an appropriate regenerant.
[0465] The antibodies of the invention or fragments thereof can
also be assayed for their ability to inhibit the binding of IL-9 to
its host cell receptor using techniques known to those of skill in
the art. For example, cells expressing IL-9 receptor can be
contacted with IL-9 in the presence or absence of an antibody or
fragment thereof and the ability of the antibody or fragment
thereof to inhibit IL-9's binding can measured by, for example,
flow cytometry or a scintillation assay. IL-9 or the antibody or
antibody fragment can be labeled with a detectable compound such as
a radioactive label (e.g., 32P, 35S, and 125I) or a fluorescent
label (e.g., fluorescein isothiocyanate, rhodamine, phycoerythrin,
phycocyanin, allophycocyanin, o-phthaldehyde and fluorescamine) to
enable detection of an interaction between IL-9 and its host cell
receptor. Alternatively, the ability of antibodies or fragments
thereof to inhibit IL-9 from binding to its receptor can be
determined in cell-free assays. For example, an IL-9 polypeptide
can be contacted with an antibody or fragment thereof and the
ability of the antibody or antibody fragment to inhibit the IL-9
polypeptide from binding to its host cell receptor can be
determined. Preferably, the antibody or the antibody fragment is
immobilized on a solid support and an IL-9 polypeptide is labeled
with a detectable compound. Alternatively, an IL-9 polypeptide is
immobilized on a solid support and the antibody or fragment thereof
is labeled with a detectable compound. An IL-9 may be partially or
completely purified (e.g., partially or completely free of other
polypeptides) or part of a cell lysate. Further, an IL-9
polypeptide may be a fusion protein comprising IL-9, a derivative,
analog or fragment thereof and a domain such as
glutathionine-5-transferase. Alternatively, an IL-9 polypeptide can
be biotinylated using techniques well known to those of skill in
the art (e.g., biotinylation kit, Pierce Chemicals; Rockford,
Ill.).
[0466] The ability of antibodies or fragments of the invention to
inhibit IL-9 from binding to its host cell receptor may be measured
by cell proliferation assays. For example, the murine TS1-RA3 T
cell line expressing both human and murine IL-9Ra may be grown
continuously in growth medium (DMEM) containing rhuIL-9 (25 ng/ml,
R & D Systems). Upon withdrawal of rhuIL-9, TS1-RA3 undergoes
cell death in 18-24 hours. TS1-RA3 cells grown in RPMI 1640 (ATCC)
medium supplemented with 10% FBS and 25 ng/ml rHu-IL9. Prior to the
assay, the cells are washed with media containing no IL-9 and
resuspended at 5.times.10.sup.5 cells/ml in media containing 2
ng/ml rhuIL-9. The cells are distributed into a black clear bottom
non-binding 96-well microtiter plate (100 .mu.l cells/well) and 100
ml of serially diluted variant Fabs is then added to the plate. The
plate is incubated at 72 hours at 37.degree. C., 5% CO2. 20
.mu.l/well of Alamar Blue.RTM. is added, and the cells are
incubated for an additional 4-5 hours. Cell metabolism is
quantitated using a fluorimeter with excitation at 555 nm and
emission at 590 nm. The ability of antibodies or fragments of the
invention to inhibit IL-9 from binding to its host cell receptor
may be measured may also be measured by a cell binding assay, such
as an IL-9 binding ELISA assay. For example, each well of a 96-well
ELISA plate is coated with 100 .mu.L of IL-9 antibodies or antibody
fragments of the invention overnight at 2 to 8.degree. C. The plate
is washed three times with PBS/0.5% Tween-20 buffer, and is blocked
for 1 hour at ambient temperature with PBS/0.1% Tween-20 buffer, 1%
(w/v) BSA. After washing the plate, 100 .mu.L of a Reference
Standard, samples and controls are loaded onto the assay plate and
incubated at ambient temperature for 1 hour. After washing, 100
.mu.L of horseradish peroxidase-labeled (HRP) goat anti-human IgG
at a 1:15,000 dilution is added to the assay plate. Following the
one-hour incubation, the plate is washed and 100 .mu.L/well of 3,
3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) substrate is added to the plate
and incubated at ambient temperature in the dark for 10 minutes.
The enzymatic reaction is stopped by the addition of 50 .mu.L/well
of 2N sulfuric acid. The absorbance at 450 nm is measured using a
microplate reader. Samples are dispositioned as pass/fail based on
the parallelism of the sample curve to the Reference Standard
curve, and the ED.sub.50 value of the sample falling in the range
of 3.91-31.91 ng/mL.
[0467] 5.6.2 In Vitro Studies
[0468] The antibodies, compositions, or combination therapies of
the invention can be tested in vitro and/or in vivo for their
ability to modulate the biological activity of immune cells (e.g.,
T cells, neutrophils, and mast cells), endothelial cells, and
epithelial cells. The ability of an antibody, composition, or
combination therapy of the invention to modulate the biological
activity of immune cells (e.g., T cells, B cells, mast cells,
macrophages, neutrophils, and eosinophils), endothelial cells, and
epithelial cells can be assessed by: detecting the expression of
antigens (e.g., activation of genes by IL-9, such as, but not
limited to, mucin genes (e.g., MUC2, MUC5AC, MUC5B, and MUC6) and
genes involved in lymphocyte activation (e.g., Lgamma-6A/E));
detecting the proliferation of immune cells, endothelia cells
and/or epithelial cells; detecting the activation of signaling
molecules (e.g., the phosphorylation of Stat2, the phosphorylation
of JAK3, or the phosphorylation of the IL-9R); detecting the
effector function of immune cells (e.g., T cells, B cells, mast
cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and eosinophils), endothelial
cells, and/or epithelial cells; or detecting the differentiation of
immune cells, endothelial cells, and/or epithelial cells.
Techniques known to those of skill in the art can be used for
measuring these activities. For example, cellular proliferation can
be assayed by 3H-thymidine incorporation assays and trypan blue
cell counts. Antigen expression can be assayed, for example, by
immunoassays including, but are not limited to, competitive and
non-competitive assay systems using techniques such as western
blots, immunohistochemistry radioimmunoassays, ELISA (enzyme linked
immunosorbent assay), "sandwich" immunoassays, immunoprecipitation
assays, precipitin reactions, gel diffusion precipitin reactions,
immunodiffusion assays, agglutination assays, complement-fixation
assays, immunoradiometric assays, fluorescent immunoassays, protein
A immunoassays, and FACS analysis. The activation of signaling
molecules can be assayed, for example, by kinase assays and
electrophoretic shift assays (EMSAs). Mast cell degranulation can
be assayed, for example by measuring serotonin (5-HT) release or
histamine release with high-performance liquid chromatogoraphy
(see, e.g., Taylor et al. 1995 Immunology 86(3): 427-433 and
Kurosawa et al., 1998 Clin Exp Allergy 28(8): 1007-1012).
[0469] The antibodies, compositions, or combination therapies of
the invention are preferably tested in vitro and then in vivo for
the desired therapeutic or prophylactic activity prior to use in
humans. For example, assays which can be used to determine whether
administration of a specific pharmaceutical composition is
indicated include cell culture assays in which a patient tissue
sample is grown in culture and exposed to, or otherwise contacted
with, a pharmaceutical composition, and the effect of such
composition upon the tissue sample is observed. The tissue sample
can be obtained by biopsy from the patient. This test allows the
identification of the therapeutically most effective therapy (e.g.,
prophylactic or therapeutic agent) for each individual patient. In
various specific embodiments, in vitro assays can be carried out
with representative cells of cell types involved a disease or
disorder associated with or characterized by aberrant expression
and/or activity of an IL-9 polypeptide, a disease or disorder
associated with or characterized by aberrant expression and/or
activity of an IL-9R or one or more subunits thereof, an
inflammatory disorder, an autoimmune disorder, a proliferative
disorder, or an infection (preferably, a respiratory infection) to
determine if a pharmaceutical composition of the invention has a
desired effect upon such cell types.
[0470] The effect of an antibody, a composition, or a combination
therapy of the invention on peripheral blood lymphocyte counts can
be monitored/assessed using standard techniques known to one of
skill in the art. Peripheral blood lymphocytes counts in a subject
can be determined by, e.g., obtaining a sample of peripheral blood
from said subject, separating the lymphocytes from other components
of peripheral blood such as plasma using, e.g., Ficoll-Hypaque
(Pharmacia) gradient centrifugation, and counting the lymphocytes
using trypan blue. Peripheral blood T-cell counts in subject can be
determined by, e.g., separating the lymphocytes from other
components of peripheral blood such as plasma using, e.g., a use of
Ficoll-Hypaque (Pharmacia) gradient centrifugation, labeling the
T-cells with an antibody directed to a T-cell antigen which is
conjugated to FITC or phycoerythrin, and measuring the number of
T-cells by FACS.
[0471] The methods of the invention for treating, managing,
preventing, and/or ameliorating a viral respiratory infection or
one or more symptoms thereof can be tested for their ability to
inhibit viral replication or reduce viral load in in vitro assays.
For example, viral replication can be assayed by a plaque assay
such as described, e.g., by Johnson et al., 1997, Journal of
Infectious Diseases 176:1215-1224 176:1215-1224. The antibodies,
compositions, or combination therapies administered according to
the methods of the invention can also be assayed for their ability
to inhibit or downregulate the expression of viral polypeptides.
Techniques known to those of skill in the art, including, but not
limited to, western blot analysis, northern blot analysis, and
RT-PCR can be used to measure the expression of viral
polypeptides.
[0472] The methods of the invention for preventing, treating,
managing, and/or ameliorating a respiratory infection or one or
more symptoms thereof can be tested for activity against bacteria
causing respiratory infections in in vitro assays well-known in the
art. In vitro assays known in the art can also be used to test the
existence or development of resistance of bacteria to a therapy
(e.g., an antibody of the invention, other prophylactic or
therapeutic agent, a combination thereof, or a composition thereof)
of the invention. Such in vitro assays are described in Gales et
al., 2002, Diag. Nicrobiol. Infect. Dis. 44(3):301-311; Hicks et
al., 2002, Clin. Microbiol. Infect. 8(11): 753-757; and Nicholson
et al., 2002, Diagn. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. 44(1): 101-107.
[0473] The therapies (e.g., an antibody of the invention alone or
in combination with prophylactic or therapeutic agents, other than
antibodies of the invention) of the invention for treating,
managing, preventing, and/or ameliorating a respiratory infection
or one or more symptoms thereof can be tested for anti-fungal
activity against different species of fungus. Any of the standard
anti-fungal assays well-known in the art can be used to assess the
anti-fungal activity of a therapy. The anti-fungal effect on
different species of fungus can be tested. The tests recommended by
the National Committee for Clinical Laboratories (NCCLS) (See
National Committee for Clinical Laboratories Standards. 1995,
Proposed Standard M27T. Villanova, Pa., all of which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) and other methods
known to those skilled in the art (Pfaller et al., 1993, Infectious
Dis. Clin. N. Am. 7: 435-444) can be used to assess the anti-fungal
effect of a therapy. The antifungal properties of a therapy may
also be determined from a fungal lysis assay, as well as by other
methods, including, inter alia, growth inhibition assays,
fluorescence-based fungal viability assays, flow cytometry
analyses, and other standard assays known to those skilled in the
art.
[0474] For example, the anti-fungal activity of a therapy can be
tested using macrodilution methods and/or microdilution methods
using protocols well-known to those skilled in the art (see, e.g.,
Clancy et al., 1997 Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 35(11):
2878-82; Ryder et al., 1998, Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy,
42(5): 1057-61; U.S. Pat. No. 5,521,153; U.S. Pat. No. 5,883,120,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,521,169, all of which are incorporated by reference
in their entirety). Briefly, a fungal strain is cultured in an
appropriate liquid media, and grown at an appropriate temperature,
depending on the particular fungal strain used for a determined
amount of time, which is also depends on the particular fungal
strain used. An innoculum is then prepared photometrically and the
turbidity of the suspension is matched to that of a standard, e.g.,
a McFarland standard. The effect of a therapy on the turbidity of
the inoculum is determined visually or spectrophotometrically. The
minimal inhibitory concentration ("MIC") of the therapy is
determined, which is defined as the lowest concentration of the
lead compound which prevents visible growth of an inoculum as
measured by determining the culture turbidity.
[0475] The anti-fungal activity of a therapy can also be determined
utilizing colorimetric based assays well-known to one of skill in
the art. One exemplary colorimetric assay that can be used to
assess the anti-fungal activity of a therapy is described by
Pfaller et al. (1994, Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 32(8):
1993-6, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety;
also see Tiballi et al., 1995, Journal of Clinical Microbiology,
33(4): 915-7). This assay employs a calorimetric endpoint using an
oxidation-reduction indicator (Alamar Biosciences, Inc., Sacramento
Calif.).
[0476] The anti-fungal activity of a therapy can also be determined
utilizing photometric assays well-known to one of skill in the art
(see, e.g., Clancy et al., 1997 Journal of Clinical Microbiology,
35(11): 2878-82; Jahn et al., 1995, Journal of Clinical
Microbiology, 33(3): 661-667, each of which is incorporated herein
by reference in its entirety). This photometric assay is based on
quantifying mitochondrial respiration by viable fungi through the
reduction of
3-(4,5-dimethyl-2thiazolyl)-2,5,-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide
(MTT) to formazan. MIC's determined by this assay are defined as
the highest concentration of the test therapy associated with the
first precipitous drop in optical density. In some embodiments, the
therapy is assayed for anti-fungal activity using macrodilution,
microdilution and MTT assays in parallel.
[0477] Further, any in vitro assays known to those skilled in the
art can be used to evaluate the prophylactic and/or therapeutic
utility of an antibody, a composition, a combination therapy
disclosed herein for a respiratory infection or one or more
symptoms thereof.
[0478] 5.6.3 In Vivo Assays
[0479] The antibodies, compositions, or combination therapies of
the invention can be tested in suitable animal model systems prior
to use in humans. Such animal model systems include, but are not
limited to, rats, mice, chicken, cows, monkeys, pigs, dogs,
rabbits, etc. Any animal system well-known in the art may be used.
Several aspects of the procedure may vary; said aspects include,
but are not limited to, the temporal regime of administering the
therapies (e.g., prophylactic and/or therapeutic agents), whether
such therapies are administered separately or as an admixture, and
the frequency of administration of the therapies.
[0480] Animal models for autoimmune disorders can also be used to
assess the efficacy of an antibody, a composition, or a combination
therapy of the invention. Animal models for autoimmune disorders
such as type 1 diabetes, thyroid autoimmunity, systemic lupus
erythematosus, and glomerulonephritis have been developed (Flanders
et al., 1999, Autoimmunity 29:235-246; Krogh et al., 1999,
Biochimie 81:511-515; Foster, 1999, Semin. Nephrol. 19:12-24).
[0481] Efficacy in preventing, treating, managing, and/or
ameliorating an autoimmune disorder may be demonstrated, e.g., by
detecting the ability of an antibody, a composition, or a
combination therapy of the invention to reduce one or more symptoms
of the autoimmune disorder, to reduce mean absolute lymphocyte
counts, to decrease T cell activation, to decrease T cell
proliferation, to reduce cytokine production, or to modulate one or
more particular cytokine profiles. Efficacy in preventing or
treating psoriasis may be demonstrated, e.g., by detecting the
ability of an antibody, fragment thereof, or composition of the
invention to reduce one or more symptoms of psoriasis, to reduce
mean absolute lymphocyte counts, to reduce cytokine production, to
modulate one or more particular cytokine profiles, to decrease
scaling, to decrease erythema, to decrease plaque elevation, to
decrease T cell activation in the dermis or epidermis of an
affected area, to decrease T cell infiltration to the dermis or
epidermis of an affected area, to reduce PASI, to improve the
physician's global assessment score, or to improve quality of
life.
[0482] Animal models for cancer can be used to assess the efficacy
of an antibody, a composition, or a combination therapy of the
invention. Examples of animal models for lung cancer include, but
are not limited to, lung cancer animal models described by Zhang
& Roth (1994, In Vivo 8(5):755-69) and a transgenic mouse model
with disrupted p53 function (see, e.g., Morris et al., 1998, J La
State Med Soc 150(4):179-85). An example of an animal model for
breast cancer includes, but is not limited to, a transgenic mouse
that overexpresses cyclin D1 (see, e.g., Hosokawa et al., 2001,
Transgenic Res 10(5):471-8). An example of an animal model for
colon cancer includes, but is not limited to, a TCR b and p53
double knockout mouse (see, e.g., Kado et al., 2001, Cancer Res
61(6):2395-8). Examples of animal models for pancreatic cancer
include, but are not limited to, a metastatic model of PancO2
murine pancreatic adenocarcinoma (see, e.g., Wang et al., 2001, Int
J Pancreatol 29(1):37-46) and nu-nu mice generated in subcutaneous
pancreatic tumours (see, e.g., Ghaneh et al., 2001, Gene Ther
8(3):199-208). Examples of animal models for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
include, but are not limited to, a severe combined immunodeficiency
("SCID") mouse (see, e.g., Bryant et al., 2000, Lab Invest
80(4):553-73) and an IgHmu-HOX11 transgenic mouse (see, e.g., Hough
et al., 1998, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 95(23): 13853-8). An example
of an animal model for esophageal cancer includes, but is not
limited to, a mouse transgenic for the human papillomavirus type 16
E7 oncogene (see, e.g., Herber et al., 1996, J Virol
70(3):1873-81). Examples of animal models for colorectal carcinomas
include, but are not limited to, Apc mouse models (see, e.g., Fodde
& Smits, 2001, Trends Mol Med 7(8):369-73 and Kuraguchi et al.,
2000, Oncogene 19(50):5755-63).
[0483] The anti-inflammatory activity of an antibody, a
composition, or a combination therapy of the invention can be
determined by using various experimental animal models of
inflammatory arthritis known in the art and described in Crofford
L. J. and Wilder R. L., "Arthritis and Autoimmunity in Animals," in
Arthritis and Allied Conditions: A Textbook of Rheumatology,
McCarty (eds.), Chapter 30 (Lee and Febiger, 1993). Experimental
and spontaneous animal models of inflammatory arthritis and
autoimmune rheumatic diseases can also be used to assess the
anti-inflammatory activity of the antibodies, compositions, or
combination therapies of invention.
[0484] The anti-inflammatory activity of an antibody, a
composition, or a combination therapy of invention can also be
assessed by measuring the inhibition of carrageenan-induced paw
edema in the rat, using a modification of the method described in
Winter C. A. et al., "Carrageenan-Induced Edema in Hind Paw of the
Rat as an Assay for Anti-inflammatory Drugs" Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol
Med. 111, 544-547, (1962). This assay has been used as a primary in
vivo screen for the anti-inflammatory activity of most NSAIDs, and
is considered predictive of human efficacy. The anti-inflammatory
activity of the test therapies (e.g., prophylactic or therapeutic
agents) is expressed as the percent inhibition of the increase in
hind paw weight of the test group relative to the vehicle dosed
control group.
[0485] In a specific embodiment of the invention where the
experimental animal model used is adjuvant-induced arthritis rat
model, body weight can be measured relative to a control group to
determine the anti-inflammatory activity of an antibody, a
composition, a combination therapy of the invention.
[0486] Animal models for allergies and asthma are known in the art,
such as constant-flow inflation with end-inspiratory occlusion
described in Ewart et al., 1995 J Appl Physiol 79(2):560-566 and
other assays described in, e.g., Komai et al., 2003 Br J Pharmacol
138(5): 912-920; Kenyon et al., 2003 Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 186(2):
90-100; Path et al., 2002 .mu.m J Resp & Critical Care Med
166(6): 818-826; Martins et al., 1990 Crit. Care Med 19:515-519;
Nicolaides et al., 1997 Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 94:13175-13180;
McLane et al., 1998 19:713-720; and Temann et al., 1998 J Exp Med
188(7): 1307-1320. For example, the murine adoptive transfer model
is an animal model used to assess the efficacy an antibody, a
composition, or a combination therapy of the invention for the
prevention, treatment, management, and/or asthma include. In the
murine adoptive transfer model, aeroallergen provocation of TH1 or
TH2 recipient mice results in TH effector cell migration to the
airways and is associated with an intense neutrophilic (TH1) and
eosinophilic (TH2) lung mucosal inflammatory response (Cohn et al.,
1997, J. Exp. Med. 1861737-1747). Airway hypersensitivity can be
induced in mice by ovalbumin (Tonikinson et al., 2001, J. Immunol.
166:5792-5800) or Schistosoma mansoni egg antigen (Tesciuba et al.,
2001, J. Immunol. 167:1996-2003).
[0487] Efficacy in preventing or treating an inflammatory disorder
may be demonstrated, e.g., by detecting the ability of an antibody,
a composition, or a combination therapy of the invention to reduce
one or more symptoms of the inflammatory disorder, to decrease T
cell activation, to decrease T cell proliferation, to modulate one
or more cytokine profiles, to reduce cytokine production, to reduce
inflammation of a joint, organ or tissue or to improve quality of
life.
[0488] Changes in inflammatory disease activity may also be
assessed through tender and swollen joint counts, patient and
physician global scores for pain and disease activity, and the
ESR/CRP. Progression of structural joint damage may be assessed by
quantitative scoring of X-rays of hands, wrists, and feet (Sharp
method). Changes in functional status in humans with inflammatory
disorders may be evaluated using the Health Assessment
Questionnaire (HAQ), and quality of life changes are assessed with
the SF.
[0489] The efficacy of an antibody, a composition, or a combination
therapy of the invention in preventing, treating, managing, and/or
ameliorating Type I allergic reaction may be assessed by its
ability to induce anti-IgE antibodies that inhibit IgE from binding
to is receptor on mast cells or basophils in vitro. IgE levels can
be assayed by immunoassays, gel electrophoresis followed by
visualization, radioimmunosorbent test (RIST), radioallergosorbent
test (RAST), or any other method known to those skilled in the
art.
[0490] Animal models for viral infections can also be used to
assess the efficacy of an antibody, a composition, or a combination
therapy of the invention. Animal models for viral infections such
as EBV-associated diseases, gammaherpesviruses, infectious
mononucleosis, simian immunodeficiency virus ("SIV"), Boma disease
virus infection, hepatitis, varicella virus infection, viral
pneumonitis, Epstein-Barr virus pathogenesis, feline
immunodeficiency virus ("FIV"), HTLV type 1 infection, human
rotaviruses, and genital herpes have been developed (see, e.g.,
Hayashi et al., 2002, Histol Histopathol 17(4): 1293-310; Arico et
al., 2002, J Interferon Cytokine Res 22(11):1081-8; Flano et al.,
2002, Immunol Res 25(3):201-17; Sauermann, 2001, Curr Mol Med
1(4):515-22; Pletnikov et al., 2002, Front Biosci 7:d593-607;
Engler et al., 2001, Mol Immunol 38(6):457-65; White et al., 2001,
Brain Pathol 11(4):475-9; Davis & Matalon, 2001, News Physiol
Sci 16:185-90; Wang, 2001, Curr Top Microbiol Immunol. 258:201-19;
Phillips et al., 2000, J. Psychopharmacol. 14(3):244-50; Kazanji,
2000, AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 16(16):1741-6; Saif et al., 1996,
Arch Virol Suppl. 12:153-61; and Hsiung et al., 1984, Rev Infect
Dis. 6(1):33-50).
[0491] Animal models for viral respiratory infections such as, but
not limited to, PIV (see, e.g., Shephard et al., 2003 Res Vet Sci
74(2): 187-190; Ottolini et al., 2002 J Infect Dis 186(12):
1713-1717), RSV (see, e.g., Culley et al., 2002 J Exp Med 196(10):
1381-1386; and Curtis et al., 2002 Exp Biol Med 227(9): 799-802).
In a specific embodiment, cotton rats are administered an antibody
of the invention, a composition, or a combination therapy according
to the methods of the invention, challenged with 10.sup.5 pfu of
RSV, and four or more days later the rats are sacrificed and RSV
titer and anti-RSV antibody serum titer is determined. Accordingly,
a dosage that results in a 2 log decrease or a 99% reduction in RSV
titer in the cotton rat challenged with 10.sup.5 pfu of RSV
relative to the cotton rat challenged with 10.sup.5 pfu of RSV but
not administered the formulation is the dosage of the formulation
that can be administered to a human for the treatment, prevention
or amelioration of one or more symptoms associated with RSV
infection. Further, in accordance with this embodiment, the tissues
(e.g., the lung tissues) from the sacrificed rats can be examined
for histological changes.
[0492] The antibodies, compositions, or combination therapies of
the invention can be tested for their ability to decrease the time
course of viral infection. The antibodies, compositions, or
combination therapies of the invention can also be tested for their
ability to increase the survival period of humans suffering from a
viral infection by at least 25%, preferably at least 50%, at least
60%, at least 75%, at least 85%, at least 95%, or at least 99%.
Further, antibodies, compositions, or combination therapies of the
invention can be tested for their ability reduce the
hospitalization period of humans suffering from viral infection by
at least 60%, preferably at least 75%, at least 85%, at least 95%,
or at least 99%. Techniques known to those of skill in the art can
be used to analyze the function of the antibodies, compositions, or
combination therapies of the invention in vivo.
[0493] Animal models for bacterial infections can also be used to
assess the efficacy of an antibody, a composition, or a combination
therapy of the invention. Animal models for bacterial infections
such as H. pylori-infection, genital mycoplasmosis, primary
sclerosing cholangitis, cholera, chronic lung infection with
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Legionnaires' disease, gastroduodenal ulcer
disease, bacterial meningitis, gastric Helicobacter infection,
pneumococcal otitis media, experimental allergic neuritis, leprous
neuropathy, mycobacterial infection, endocarditis,
Aeromonas-associated enteritis, Bacteroides fragilis infection,
syphilis, streptococcal endocarditis, acute hematogenous
osteomyelitis, human scrub typhus, toxic shock syndrome, anaerobic
infections, Escherichia coli infections, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae
infections have been developed (see, e.g., Sugiyama et al., 2002,
J. Gastroenterol. 37 Suppl 13:6-9; Brown et al., 2001, Am J Reprod
Immunol. 46(3):232-41; Vierling, 2001, Best Pract Res Clin
Gastroenterol. 15(4):591-610; Klose, 2000, Trends Microbiol.
8(4):189-91; Stotland et al., 2000, Pediatr Pulmonol. 30(5):413-24;
Brieland et al., 2000, Immunopharmacology 48(3):249-52; Lee, 2000,
Baillieres Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 14(1):75-96; Koedel
& Pfister, 1999, Infect Dis Clin North Am. 13(3):549-77;
Nedrud, 1999, FEMS Immunol Med. Microbiol. 24(2):243-50; Prellner
et al., 1999, Microb Drug Resist. 5(1):73-82; Vriesendorp, 1997, J
Infect Dis. 176 Suppl 2:S164-8; Shetty & Antia, 1996, Indian J.
Lepr. 68(1):95-104; Balasubramanian et al., 1994, Immunobiology
191(4-5):395-401; Carbon et al., 1994, Int J Biomed Comput.
36(1-2):59-67; Haberberger et al., 1991, Experientia. 47(5):426-9;
Onderdonk et al., 1990, Rev Infect Dis. 12 Suppl 2:S169-77; Wicher
& Wicher, 1989, Crit. Rev Microbiol. 16(3):181-234; Scheld,
1987, J Antimicrob Chemother. 20 Suppl A:71-85; Emslie & Nade,
1986, Rev Infect Dis. 8(6):841-9; Ridgway et al., 1986, Lab Anim
Sci. 36(5):481-5; Quimby & Nguyen, 1985, Crit. Rev Microbiol.
12(1):1-44; Onderdonk et al., 1979, Rev Infect Dis. 1(2):291-301;
Smith, 1976, Ciba Found Symp. (42):45-72, and Taylor-Robinson,
1976, Infection. 4(1 Suppl):4-8).
[0494] The antibodies, compositions, or combination therapies of
the invention can be tested for their ability to decrease the time
course of bacterial infection, preferably bacterial respiratory
infection by at least 25%, preferably at least 50%, at least 60%,
at least 75%, at least 85%, at least 95%, or at least 99%. The
antibodies, compositions, or combination therapies of the invention
can also be tested for their ability to increase the survival
period of humans suffering from a bacterial infection by at least
25%, preferably at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 75%, at least
85%, at least 95%, or at least 99%. Further, the antibodies,
compositions, or combination therapies administered according to
the methods of the invention can be tested for their ability reduce
the hospitalization period of humans suffering from bacterial
infection, preferably a bacterial respiratory infection, by at
least 60%, preferably at least 75%, at least 85%, at least 95%, or
at least 99%. Techniques known to those of skill in the art can be
used to analyze the function of the Antibodies of the invention,
compositions, or combination therapies of the invention in
vivo.
[0495] The efficacy of the antibodies, compositions, or combination
therapies of the invention for the prevention, management,
treatment, or amelioration of a fungal infection can be assessed in
animal models for such infections. Animal models for fungal
infections such as Candida infections, zygomycosis, Candida
mastitis, progressive disseminated trichosporonosis with latent
trichosporonemia, disseminated candidiasis, pulmonary
paracoccidioidomycosis, pulmonary aspergillosis, Pneumocystis
carinii pneumonia, cryptococcal meningitis, coccidioidal
meningoencephalitis and cerebrospinal vasculitis, Aspergillus niger
infection, Fusarium keratitis, paranasal sinus mycoses, Aspergillus
fumigatus endocarditis, tibial dyschondroplasia, Candida glabrata
vaginitis, oropharyngeal candidiasis, X-linked chronic
granulomatous disease, tinea pedis, cutaneous candidiasis, mycotic
placentitis, disseminated trichosporonosis, allergic
bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, mycotic keratitis, Cryptococcus
neoformans infection, fungal peritonitis, Curvularia geniculata
infection, staphylococcal endophthalmitis, sporotrichosis, and
dermatophytosis have been developed (see, e.g., Arendrup et al.,
2002, Infection 30(5):286-91; Kamei, 2001, Mycopathologia
152(1):5-13; Guhad et al., 2000, FEMS Microbiol Lett. 192(1):27-31;
Yamagata et al., 2000, J Clin Microbiol. 38(9):32606; Andrutis et
al., 2000, J Clin Microbiol. 38(6):2317-23; Cock et al., 2000, Rev
Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 42(2):59-66; Shibuya et al., 1999, Microb
Pathog. 27(3):123-31; Beers et al., 1999, J Lab Clin Med.
133(5):423-33; Najvar et al., 1999, Antimicrob Agents Chemother.
43(2):413-4; Williams et al., 1988, J Infect Dis. 178(4):1217-21;
Yoshida, 1988, Kansenshogaku Zasshi. 1998 June; 72(6):621-30;
Alexandrakis et al., 1998, Br J. Opthalmol. 82(3):306-11;
Chakrabarti et al., 1997, J Med Vet Mycol. 35(4):295-7; Martin et
al., 1997, Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 41(1):13-6; Chu et al.,
1996, Avian Dis. 40(3):715-9; Fidel et al., 1996, Infect Dis.
173(2):425-31; Cole et al., 1995, FEMS Microbiol Lett. 15;
126(2):177-80; Pollock et al., 1995, Nat. Genet. 9(2):202-9; Uchida
et al., 1994, Jpn J. Antibiot. 47(10):1407-12: Maebashi et al.,
1994, J Med Vet Mycol. 32(5):349-59; Jensen & Schonheyder,
1993, J Exp Anim Sci. 35(4):155-60; Gokaslan & Anaissie, 1992,
Infect Immun. 60(8):3339-44; Kurup et al., 1992, J. Immunol.
148(12):3783-8; Singh et al., 1990, Mycopathologia. 112(3):127-37;
Salkowski & Balish, 1990, Infect Immun. 58(10):3300-6; Ahmad et
al., 1986, Am J Kidney Dis. 7(2):153-6; Alture-Werber E, Edberg S
C, 1985, Mycopathologia. 89(2):69-73; Kane et al., 1981, Antimicrob
Agents Chemother. 20(5):595-9; Barbee et al., 1977, Am J. Pathol.
86(1):281-4; and Maestrone et al., 1973, Am J Vet Res.
34(6):833-6). Animal models for fungal respiratory infections such
as Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus, invasive pulmonary
aspergillosis, Pneumocystis carinii, pulmonary cryptococcosis,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Cunninghamella bertholletia (see, e.g.,
Aratani et al., 2002 Med Mycol 40(6):557-563; Bozza et al., 2002
Microbes Infect 4(13): 1281-1290; Kurup et al., 2002 Int Arch
Allergy Inumunol 129(2): 129-137; Hori et al., 2002 Eur J Immuno
32(5): 1282-1291; Rivera et al., 2002 J Immuno 168(7): 3419-3427;
Vassallo et al., 2001, Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 25(2): 203-211;
Wilder et al., 2002 Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 26(3): 304-314;
Yonezawa et al., 2000 J Infect Chemother 6(3): 155-161; Cacciapuoti
et al., 2000 Antimicrob Agents Chemother 44(8): 2017-2022; and
Honda et al., 1998 Mycopathologia 144(3):141-146).
[0496] The antibodies, compositions, or combination therapies of
the invention can be tested for their ability to decrease the time
course of fungal respiratory infection by at least 25%, preferably
at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 75%, at least 85%, at least
95%, or at least 99%. The antibodies, compositions, or combination
therapies of the invention can also be tested for their ability to
increase the survival period of humans suffering from a fungal
respiratory infection by at least 25%, preferably at least 50%, at
least 60%, at least 75%, at least 85%, at least 95%, or at least
99%. Further, antibodies, compositions, or combination therapies
administered according to the methods of the invention can be
tested for their ability reduce the hospitalization period of
humans suffering from fungal respiratory infection by at least 60%,
preferably at least 75%, at least 85%, at least 95%, or at least
99%. Techniques known to those of skill in the art can be used to
analyze the function of the antibodies, compositions, or
combination therapies of the invention in vivo.
[0497] Further, any assays known to those skilled in the art can be
used to evaluate the prophylactic and/or therapeutic utility of an
antibody, a composition, a combination therapy disclosed herein for
prevention, treatment, management, and/or amelioration of disorder
or disease characterized by aberrant expression and/or activity of
an L-9 polypeptide, a disorder or disease characterized by aberrant
expression and/or activity of an IL-9R or one or more subunits
thereof, an inflammatory disorder, an autoimmune disorder, a
proliferative disorder, or an infection (preferably, a respiratory
infection) or one or more symptoms thereof.
[0498] 5.6.4 Toxicity Assays
[0499] The toxicity and/or efficacy of the prophylactic and/or
therapeutic protocols of the instant invention can be determined by
standard pharmaceutical procedures in cell cultures or experimental
animals, e.g., for determining the LD50 (the dose lethal to 50% of
the population) and the ED50 (the dose therapeutically effective in
50% of the population). The dose ratio between toxic and
therapeutic effects is the therapeutic index and it can be
expressed as the ratio LD50/ED50. Therapies that exhibit large
therapeutic indices are preferred. While therapies that exhibit
toxic side effects may be used, care should be taken to design a
delivery system that targets such agents to the site of affected
tissue in order to minimize potential damage to uninfected cells
and, thereby, reduce side effects.
[0500] The data obtained from the cell culture assays and animal
studies can be used in formulating a range of dosage of the
prophylactic and/or therapeutic agents for use in humans. The
dosage of such agents lies preferably within a range of circulating
concentrations that include the ED50 with little or no toxicity.
The dosage may vary within this range depending upon the dosage
form employed and the route of administration utilized. For any
therapy used in the method of the invention, the therapeutically
effective dose can be estimated initially from cell culture assays.
A dose may be formulated in animal models to achieve a circulating
plasma concentration range that includes the IC.sub.50 (i.e., the
concentration of the test compound that achieves a half-maximal
inhibition of symptoms) as determined in cell culture. Such
information can be used to more accurately determine useful doses
in humans. Levels in plasma may be measured, for example, by high
performance liquid chromatography.
[0501] Further, any assays known to those skilled in the art can be
used to evaluate the prophylactic and/or therapeutic utility of an
antibody, a composition, a combination therapy disclosed herein for
a disease or disorder associated with or characterized by aberrant
expression and/or activity of an IL-9 polypeptide, a disease or
disorder associated with or characterized by aberrant expression
and/or activity of an IL-9R or one or more subunits thereof, an
inflammatory disorder, an autoimmune disorder, a proliferative
disorder, or an infection (preferably, a respiratory infection) or
one or more symptoms thereof.
5.7 Diagnostic Uses of Antibodies
[0502] Antibodies of the invention (including molecules comprising,
or alternatively consisting of, antibody fragments or variants
thereof) that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide can be
used for diagnostic purposes to detect, diagnose, prognose, or
monitor a disorder associated with aberrant expression and/or
activity of an IL-9 polypeptide, a disorder associated with
aberrant expression and/or activity of an IL-9R or one or more
subunits thereof, an autoimmune disorder, an inflammatory disorder,
a proliferative disorder, an infection (preferably, a respiratory
infection), or one or more symptoms thereof. The invention provides
for the detection of aberrant expression of IL-9 comprising: (a)
assaying the expression of IL-9 in a biological sample from an
individual using one or more antibodies of the invention that
immunospecifically binds to an L-9 polypeptide; and (b) comparing
the level of IL-9 with a standard level of IL-9, e.g., in normal
biological samples, whereby an increase or decrease in the assayed
level of IL-9 compared to the standard level of IL-9 is indicative
of a disorder associated with aberrant expression and/or activity
of an IL-9 polypeptide, a disorder associated with aberrant
expression and/or activity of an IL-9R or one or more subunits
thereof, an autoimmune disorder, an inflammatory disorder, a
proliferative disorder, an infection (preferably, a respiratory
infection), or one or more symptoms thereof. In specific
embodiments, aberrant expression level of IL-9 is indicative of an
autoimmune disorder or a disease or condition associated therewith.
In another specific embodiment, an aberrant expression level of
IL-9 is indicative of an inflammatory disorder or a disease or
condition associated therewith, such as asthma. In preferred
embodiments, an aberrant expression level of IL-9 is indicative of
a respiratory infection, such as, but not limited to RSV, PVI, or
hMPV.
[0503] In preferred embodiments, the labeled antibodies of the
invention that immunospecifically bind to IL-9 are used for
diagnostic purposes to detect, diagnose, prognose, or monitor a
respiratory infection, preferably RSV infection, PIV infection, or
hMPV. The invention provides methods for the detection of a
respiratory infection, comprising: (a) assaying the expression of
IL-9 in cells or a tissue sample of a subject using one or more
antibodies that immunospecifically bind to L-9; and (b) comparing
the level of IL-9 with a control level, e.g., levels in normal
tissue samples not infected, whereby an increase in the assayed
level of IL-9 compared to the control level of IL-9 is indicative
of a respiratory infection.
[0504] Antibodies of the invention can be used to assay IL-9 levels
in a biological sample using classical immunohistological methods
as described herein or as known to those of skill in the art (e.g.,
see Jalkanen et al., 1985, J. Cell. Biol. 101:976-985; and Jalkanen
et al., 1987, J. Cell. Biol. 105:3087-3096). Other antibody-based
methods useful for detecting protein gene expression include
immunoassays, such as the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
and the radioimmunoassay (RIA). Suitable antibody assay labels are
known in the art and include enzyme labels, such as, glucose
oxidase; radioisotopes, such as iodine (.sup.125I, .sup.121I),
carbon (.sup.14C), sulfur (.sup.35S), tritium (.sup.3H), indium
(.sup.121In), and technetium (.sup.99Tc); luminescent labels, such
as luminol; and fluorescent labels, such as fluorescein and
rhodamine, and biotin.
[0505] One aspect of the invention is the detection and diagnosis
of a disease or disorder associated with aberrant expression of
IL-9 in an animal, preferably a mammal, and most preferably a
human. In one embodiment, diagnosis comprises: a) administering
(for example, parenterally, subcutaneously, or intraperitoneally)
to a subject an effective amount of a labeled antibody of the
invention (including molecules comprising, or alternatively
consisting of, antibody fragments or variants thereof) that
immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide; b) waiting for a
time interval following the administering for permitting the
labeled antibody to preferentially concentrate at sites in the
subject where IL-9 is expressed (and for unbound labeled molecule
to be cleared to background level); c) determining background
level; and d) detecting the labeled antibody in the subject, such
that detection of labeled antibody or fragment thereof above the
background level and above or below the level observed in a person
without the disease or disorder indicates that the subject has a
particular disease or disorder associated with aberrant expression
of IL-9. Background level can be determined by various methods
including, comparing the amount of labeled molecule detected to a
standard value previously determined for a particular system.
Aberrant expression of IL-9 can occur particularly in lymphoid and
myeloid cell types. A more definitive diagnosis of respiratory
infection may allow health professionals to employ preventive
measures or aggressive treatment earlier and thereby prevent the
development or further progression of the infection.
[0506] It will be understood in the art that the size of the
subject and the imaging system used will determine the quantity of
imaging moiety needed to produce diagnostic images. In the case of
a radioisotope moiety, for a human subject, the quantity of
radioactivity injected will normally range from about 5 to 20
millicuries of .sup.99Tc. The labeled antibody will then
preferentially accumulate at the location of cells which contain
the specific protein. In vivo tumor imaging is described in S. W.
Burchiel et al., "Immunopharmacokinetics of Radiolabeled Antibodies
and Their Fragments." (Chapter 13 in Tumor Imaging: The
Radiochemical Detection of Cancer, S. W. Burchiel and B. A. Rhodes,
eds, Masson Publishing Inc. (1982). Depending on several variables,
including the type of label used and the mode of administration,
the time interval following the administration for permitting the
labeled molecule to preferentially concentrate at sites in the
subject and for unbound labeled molecule to be cleared to
background level is 6 to 48 hours, 6 to 24 hours, or 6 to 12 hours.
In another embodiment the time interval following administration is
5 to 20 days or 5 to 10 days.
[0507] In an embodiment, monitoring of the disease or disorder is
carried out by repeating the method for diagnosing the disease or
disorder, for example, one month after initial diagnosis, six
months after initial diagnosis, one year after initial diagnosis,
etc.
[0508] Presence of the labeled IL-9 antibody can be detected in the
patient using methods known in the art for in vivo scanning. These
methods depend upon the type of label used. Skilled artisans will
be able to determine the appropriate method for detecting a
particular label. Methods and devices that may be used in the
diagnostic methods of the invention include, but are not limited
to, computed tomography (CT), whole body scan such as position
emission tomography (PET), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and
sonography.
[0509] In a specific embodiment, the IL-9 antibody is labeled with
a radioisotope and is detected in the patient using a radiation
responsive surgical instrument (Thurston et al., U.S. Pat. No.
5,441,050). In another embodiment, the 1-9 antibody is labeled with
a fluorescent compound and is detected in the patient using a
fluorescence responsive scanning instrument. In another embodiment,
the IL-9 antibody is labeled with a positron emitting metal and is
detected in the patient using positron emission-tomography. In yet
another embodiment, the IL-9 antibody is labeled with a
paramagnetic label and is detected in a patient using magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI).
[0510] The antibodies of the invention (including molecules
comprising, or alternatively consisting of, antibody fragments or
variants thereof) may be utilized for immunophenotyping of cell
lines and biological samples by their IL-9 expression or IL-9
receptor expression. Various techniques can be utilized using the
antibodies, fragments, or variants of the invention to screen for
cellular populations (that express IL-9 and/or IL-9 receptor,
particularly immune cells, i.e., T and B lymphocytes, mast cells,
eosinophils, macrophages, neutrophils and epithelial cells or IL-9
receptor, and include magnetic separation using antibody-coated
magnetic beads, "panning" with antibody attached to a solid matrix
(i.e., plate), and flow cytometry (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No.
5,985,660; and Morrison et al., Cell, 96:737-49 (1999)).
[0511] These techniques allow for the screening of particular
populations of cells, such as might be found with hematological
malignancies (i.e., minimal residual disease (MRD) in acute
leukemic patients) and "non-self" cells in transplantations to
prevent Graft-versus-Host Disease (GVHD). Alternatively, these
techniques allow for the screening of hematopoietic stem and
progenitor cells capable of undergoing proliferation and/or
differentiation, as might be found in human umbilical cord
blood.
5.8 Kits
[0512] The present invention provides kits that can be used in the
above methods. In one embodiment, a kit comprises an antibody of
the invention, preferably a purified antibody, in one or more
containers. In another embodiment, a kit comprises an antibody
fragment of the invention that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9
polypeptide. In a specific embodiment, the kits of the present
invention contain a substantially isolated IL-9 polypeptide as a
control. Preferably, the kits of the present invention further
comprise a control antibody which does not react with an IL-9
polypeptide. In another specific embodiment, the kits of the
present invention contain a means for detecting the binding of an
antibody to an IL-9 polypeptide (e.g., the antibody may be
conjugated to a detectable substrate such as a fluorescent
compound, an enzymatic substrate, a radioactive compound or a
luminescent compound, or a second antibody which recognizes the
first antibody may be conjugated to a detectable substrate). In
specific embodiments, the kit may include a recombinantly produced
or chemically synthesized IL-9 polypeptide. The IL-9 polypeptide
provided in the kit may also be attached to a solid support. In a
more specific embodiment the detecting means of the above-described
kit includes a solid support to which an IL-9 polypeptide is
attached. Such a kit may also include a non-attached
reporter-labeled anti-human antibody. In this embodiment, binding
of the antibody to the IL-9 polypeptide can be detected by binding
of the said reporter-labeled antibody.
[0513] In an additional embodiment, the invention includes a
diagnostic kit for use in screening serum containing an IL-9
polypeptide. The diagnostic kit includes a substantially isolated
antibody specifically immunoreactive with an IL-9 polypeptide, and
means for detecting the binding of the IL-9 polypeptide to the
antibody. In one embodiment, the antibody is attached to a solid
support. In a specific embodiment, the antibody may be a monoclonal
antibody. The detecting means of the kit may include a second,
labeled monoclonal antibody. Alternatively, or in addition, the
detecting means may include a labeled, competing antigen.
5.9 Articles of Manufacture
[0514] The present invention also encompasses a finished packaged
and labeled pharmaceutical product. This article of manufacture
includes the appropriate unit dosage form in an appropriate vessel
or container such as a glass vial or other container that is
hermetically sealed. The pharmaceutical product may be formulated
in single dose vials as a sterile liquid that contains 10 mM
histidine buffer at pH 6.0 and 150 mM sodium chloride. Each 1.0 mL
of solution may contain 100 mg of protein, 1.6 mg of histidine and
8.9 mg of sodium chloride in water for injection. During the
manufacturing process the pH of the formulation buffer is adjusted
to 6.0 using hydrochloric acid. In the case of dosage forms
suitable for parenteral administration the active ingredient, e.g.,
an antibody of the invention that immunospecifically binds to an
IL-9 polypeptide, is sterile and suitable for administration as a
particulate free solution. In other words, the invention
encompasses both parenteral solutions and lyophilized powders, each
being sterile, and the latter being suitable for reconstitution
prior to injection. Alternatively, the unit dosage form may be a
solid suitable for oral, transdermal, intransal, or topical
delivery.
[0515] In a preferred embodiment, the unit dosage form is suitable
for intravenous, intramuscular, intranasal, oral, topical or
subcutaneous delivery. Thus, the invention encompasses solutions,
preferably sterile, suitable for each delivery route.
[0516] As with any pharmaceutical product, the packaging material
and container are designed to protect the stability of the product
during storage and shipment. Further, the products of the invention
include instructions for use or other informational material that
advise the physician, technician or patient on how to appropriately
prevent or treat the disease or disorder in question. In other
words, the article of manufacture includes instruction means
indicating or suggesting a dosing regimen including, but not
limited to, actual doses, monitoring procedures, total lymphocyte,
mast cell counts, T cell counts, IgE production, and other
monitoring information.
[0517] Specifically, the invention provides an article of
manufacture comprising packaging material, such as a box, bottle,
tube, vial, container, sprayer, insufflator, intravenous (i.v.)
bag, envelope and the like; and at least one unit dosage form of a
pharmaceutical agent contained within said packaging material,
wherein said pharmaceutical agent comprises an antibody that
immunospecifically binds to IL-9 and wherein said packaging
material includes instruction means which indicate that said
antibody can be used to prevent, manage, treat, and/or ameliorate
one or more symptoms associated with a disorder associated with
aberrant expression and/or activity of an IL-9 polypeptide, a
disorder associated with aberrant expression and/or activity of an
IL-9R or one or more subunits thereof, an autoimmune disorder, an
inflammatory disorder, a proliferative disorder, an infection
(preferably, a respiratory infection), or one or more symptoms
thereof by administering specific doses and using specific dosing
regimens as described herein.
[0518] The invention also provides an article of manufacture
comprising packaging material, such as a box, bottle, tube, vial,
container, sprayer, insufflator, intravenous (i.v.) bag, envelope
and the like; and at least one unit dosage form of each
pharmaceutical agent contained within said packaging material,
wherein one pharmaceutical agent comprises an antibody that
immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide and the other
pharmaceutical agent comprises a second, different antibody that
immunospecifically binds to an L-9 polypeptide, and wherein said
packaging material includes instruction means which indicate that
said agents can be used to treat, prevent and/or ameliorate a
disorder associated with aberrant expression and/or activity of an
IL-9 polypeptide, a disorder associated with aberrant expression
and/or activity of an IL-9R or one or more subunits thereof, an
autoimmune disorder, an inflammatory disorder, a proliferative
disorder, an infection (preferably, a respiratory infection), or
one or more symptoms thereof by administering specific doses and
using specific dosing regimens as described herein.
[0519] The invention also provides an article of manufacture
comprising packaging material, such as a box, bottle, tube, vial,
container, sprayer, insufflator, intravenous (i.v.) bag, envelope
and the like; and at least one unit dosage form of each
pharmaceutical agent contained within said packaging material,
wherein one pharmaceutical agent comprises an antibody that
immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide and the other
pharmaceutical agent comprises a prophylactic or therapeutic agent
other than an antibody that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9
polypeptide, and wherein said packaging material includes
instruction means which indicate that said agents can be used to
treat, prevent and/or ameliorate one or more symptoms associated
with a disorder associated with aberrant expression and/or activity
of an IL-9 polypeptide, a disorder associated with aberrant
expression and/or activity of an IL-9R or one or more subunits
thereof, an autoimmune disorder, an inflammatory disorder, a
proliferative disorder, an infection (preferably, a respiratory
infection), or one or more symptoms thereof by administering
specific doses and using specific dosing regimens as described
herein.
[0520] The present invention provides that the adverse effects that
may be reduced or avoided by the methods of the invention are
indicated in informational material enclosed in an article of
manufacture for use in preventing, treating and/or ameliorating one
or more symptoms associated with an autoimmune disorder, an
inflammatory disorder or an infection. Adverse effects that may be
reduced or avoided by the methods of the invention include, but are
not limited to, vital sign abnormalities (fever, tachycardia,
bardycardia, hypertension, hypotension), hematological events
(anemia, lymphopenia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia), headache,
chills, dizziness, nausea, asthenia, back pain, chest pain (chest
pressure), diarrhea, myalgia, pain, pruritus, psoriasis, rhinitis,
sweating, injection site reaction, and vasodilatation. Since
antibodies of the invention that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9
polypeptide may be immunosuppressive, prolonged immunosuppression
may increase the risk of infection, including opportunistic
infections. Prolonged and sustained immunosuppression may also
result in an increased risk of developing certain types of
cancer.
[0521] Further, the information material enclosed in an article of
manufacture for use in preventing, treating, managing, and/or
ameliorating disorder characterized by aberrant expression and/or
activity of an IL-9 polypeptide, a disorder characterized by
aberrant expression and/or activity of an IL-9R or one or more
subunits thereof, an inflammatory disorder, an autoimmune disorder,
a proliferative disorder, or an infection (preferably, a
respiratory infection) or one or more symptoms thereof can indicate
that foreign proteins may also result in allergic reactions,
including anaphylaxis, or cytosine release syndrome. The
information material should indicate that allergic reactions may
exhibit only as mild pruritic rashes or they may be severe such as
erythroderma, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, vasculitis, or anaphylaxis.
The information material should also indicate that anaphylactic
reactions (anaphylaxis) are serious and occasionally fatal
hypersensitivity reactions. Allergic reactions including
anaphylaxis may occur when any foreign protein is injected into the
body. They may range from mild manifestations such as urticaria or
rash to lethal systemic reactions. Anaphylactic reactions occur
soon after exposure, usually within 10 minutes. Patients may
experience paresthesia, hypotension, laryngeal edema, mental status
changes, facial or pharyngeal angioedema, airway obstruction,
bronchospasm, urticaria and pruritus, serum sickness, arthritis,
allergic nephritis, glomerulonephritis, temporal arthritis, or
eosinophilia.
5.10 Methods of Producing Antibodies
[0522] Antibodies that immunospecifically bind to an antigen can be
produced by any method known in the art for the synthesis of
antibodies, in particular, by chemical synthesis or preferably, by
recombinant expression techniques.
[0523] Polyclonal antibodies that immunospecifically bind to an
antigen can be produced by various procedures well-known in the
art. For example, a human antigen can be administered to various
host animals including, but not limited to, rabbits, mice, rats,
etc. to induce the production of sera containing polyclonal
antibodies specific for the human antigen. Various adjuvants may be
used to increase the immunological response, depending on the host
species, and include but are not limited to, Freund's (complete and
incomplete), mineral gels such as aluminum hydroxide, surface
active substances such as lysolecithin, pluronic polyols,
polyanions, peptides, oil emulsions, keyhole limpet hemocyanins,
dinitrophenol, and potentially useful human adjuvants such as BCG
(bacille Calmette-Guerin) and corynebacterium parvum. Such
adjuvants are also well known in the art.
[0524] Monoclonal antibodies can be prepared using a wide variety
of techniques known in the art including the use of hybridoma,
recombinant, and phage display technologies, or a combination
thereof. For example, monoclonal antibodies can be produced using
hybridoma techniques including those known in the art and taught,
for example, in Harlow et al., Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual,
(Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 2nd ed. 1988); Hammerling, et
al., in: Monoclonal Antibodies and T-Cell Hybridomas 563-681
(Elsevier, N.Y., 1981) (said references incorporated by reference
in their entireties). The term "monoclonal antibody" as used herein
is not limited to antibodies produced through hybridoma technology.
The term "monoclonal antibody" refers to an antibody that is
derived from a single clone, including any eukaryotic, prokaryotic,
or phage clone, and not the method by which it is produced.
[0525] Methods for producing and screening for specific antibodies
using hybridoma technology are routine and well known in the art.
Briefly, mice can be immunized with an IL-9 polypeptide and once an
immune response is detected, e.g., antibodies specific for IL-9 are
detected in the mouse serum, the mouse spleen is harvested and
splenocytes isolated. The splenocytes are then fused by well known
techniques to any suitable myeloma cells, for example cells from
cell line SP20 available from the ATCC. Hybridomas are selected and
cloned by limited dilution. Additionally, a RIMMS (repetitive
immunization multiple sites) technique can be used to immunize an
animal (Kilptrack et al., 1997 Hybridoma 16:381-9, incorporated by
reference in its entirety). The hybridoma clones are then assayed
by methods known in the art for cells that secrete antibodies
capable of binding a polypeptide of the invention. Ascites fluid,
which generally contains high levels of antibodies, can be
generated by immunizing mice with positive hybridoma clones.
[0526] Accordingly, the present invention provides methods of
generating antibodies by culturing a hybridoma cell secreting an
antibody of the invention wherein, preferably, the hybridoma is
generated by fusing splenocytes isolated from a mouse immunized
with an IL-9 polypeptide with myeloma cells and then screening the
hybridomas resulting from the fusion for hybridoma clones that
secrete an antibody able to bind to an IL-9 polypeptide.
[0527] Antibody fragments which recognize specific IL-9 epitopes
may be generated by any technique known to those of skill in the
art. For example, Fab and F(ab')2 fragments of the invention may be
produced by proteolytic cleavage of immunoglobulin molecules, using
enzymes such as papain (to produce Fab fragments) or pepsin (to
produce F(ab')2 fragments). F(ab')2 fragments contain the variable
region, the light chain constant region and the CH1 domain of the
heavy chain. Further, the antibodies of the present invention can
also be generated using various phage display methods known in the
art.
[0528] In phage display methods, functional antibody domains are
displayed on the surface of phage particles which carry the
polynucleotide sequences encoding them. In particular, DNA
sequences encoding VH and VL domains are amplified from animal cDNA
libraries (e.g., human or murine cDNA libraries of affected
tissues). The DNA encoding the VH and VL domains are recombined
together with an scFv linker by PCR and cloned into a phagemid
vector. The vector is electroporated in E. coli and the E. coli is
infected with helper phage. Phage used in these methods are
typically filamentous phage including fd and M13 and the VH and VL
domains are usually recombinantly fused to either the phage gene
III or gene VIII. Phage expressing an antigen binding domain that
binds to a particular antigen can be selected or identified with
antigen, e.g., using labeled antigen or antigen bound or captured
to a solid surface or bead. Examples of phage display methods that
can be used to make the antibodies of the present invention include
those disclosed in Brinkman et al., 1995, J. Immunol. Methods
182:41-50; Ames et al., 1995, J. Immunol. Methods 184:177-186;
Kettleborough et al., 1994, Eur. J. Immunol. 24:952-958; Persic et
al., 1997, Gene 187:9-18; Burton et al., 1994, Advances in
Immunology 57:191-280; PCT Application No. PCT/GB91/01134;
International Publication Nos. WO 90/02809, WO 91/10737, WO
92/01047, WO 92/18619, WO 93/11236, WO 95/15982, WO 95/20401, and
WO97/13844; and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,698,426, 5,223,409, 5,403,484,
5,580,717, 5,427,908, 5,750,753, 5,821,047, 5,571,698, 5,427,908,
5,516,637, 5,780,225, 5,658,727, 5,733,743 and 5,969,108; each of
which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0529] As described in the above references, after phage selection,
the antibody coding regions from the phage can be isolated and used
to generate whole antibodies, including human antibodies, or any
other desired antigen binding fragment, and expressed in any
desired host, including mammalian cells, insect cells, plant cells,
yeast, and bacteria, e.g., as described below. Techniques to
recombinantly produce Fab, Fab' and F(ab')2 fragments can also be
employed using methods known in the art such as those disclosed in
PCT publication No. WO 92/22324; Mullinax et al., 1992,
BioTechniques 12(6):864-869; Sawai et al., 1995, AJRI 34:26-34; and
Better et al., 1988, Science 240:1041-1043 (said references
incorporated by reference in their entireties).
[0530] To generate whole antibodies, PCR primers including VH or VL
nucleotide sequences, a restriction site, and a flanking sequence
to protect the restriction site can be used to amplify the VH or VL
sequences in scFv clones. Utilizing cloning techniques known to
those of skill in the art, the PCR amplified VH domains can be
cloned into vectors expressing a VH constant region, e.g., the
human gamma 4 constant region, and the PCR amplified VL domains can
be cloned into vectors expressing a VL constant region, e.g., human
kappa or lamba constant regions. Preferably, the vectors for
expressing the VH or VL domains comprise an EF-1.alpha. promoter, a
secretion signal, a cloning site for the variable domain, constant
domains, and a selection marker such as neomycin. The VH and VL
domains may also cloned into one vector expressing the necessary
constant regions. The heavy chain conversion vectors and light
chain conversion vectors are then co-transfected into cell lines to
generate stable or transient cell lines that express full-length
antibodies, e.g., IgG, using techniques known to those of skill in
the art.
[0531] For some uses, including in vivo use of antibodies in humans
and in vitro detection assays, it may be preferable to use human or
chimeric antibodies. Completely human antibodies are particularly
desirable for therapeutic treatment of human subjects. Human
antibodies can be made by a variety of methods known in the art
including phage display methods described above using antibody
libraries derived from human immunoglobulin sequences. See also
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,444,887 and 4,716,111; and International
Publication Nos. WO 98/46645, WO 98/50433, WO 98/24893, WO98/16654,
WO 96/34096, WO 96/33735, and WO 91/10741; each of which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0532] Human antibodies can also be produced using transgenic mice
which are incapable of expressing functional endogenous
immunoglobulins, but which can express human immunoglobulin genes.
For example, the human heavy and light chain immunoglobulin gene
complexes may be introduced randomly or by homologous recombination
into mouse embryonic stem cells. Alternatively, the human variable
region, constant region, and diversity region may be introduced
into mouse embryonic stem cells in addition to the human heavy and
light chain genes. The mouse heavy and light chain immunoglobulin
genes may be rendered non-functional separately or simultaneously
with the introduction of human immunoglobulin loci by homologous
recombination. In particular, homozygous deletion of the JH region
prevents endogenous antibody production. The modified embryonic
stem cells are expanded and microinjected into blastocysts to
produce chimeric mice. The chimeric mice are then be bred to
produce homozygous offspring which express human antibodies. The
transgenic mice are immunized in the normal fashion with a selected
antigen, e.g., all or a portion of a polypeptide of the invention.
Monoclonal antibodies directed against the antigen can be obtained
from the immunized, transgenic mice using conventional hybridoma
technology. The human immunoglobulin transgenes harbored by the
transgenic mice rearrange during B cell differentiation, and
subsequently undergo class switching and somatic mutation. Thus,
using such a technique, it is possible to produce therapeutically
useful IgG, IgA, IgM and IgE antibodies. For an overview of this
technology for producing human antibodies, see Lonberg and Huszar
(1995, Int. Rev. Immunol. 13:65-93). For a detailed discussion of
this technology for producing human antibodies and human monoclonal
antibodies and protocols for producing such antibodies, see, e.g.,
PCT publication Nos. WO 98/24893, WO 96/34096, and WO 96/33735; and
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,413,923, 5,625,126, 5,633,425, 5,569,825,
5,661,016, 5,545,806, 5,814,318, and 5,939,598, which are
incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. In addition,
companies such as Abgenix, Inc. (Freemont, Calif.) and Genpharm
(San Jose, Calif.) can be engaged to provide human antibodies
directed against a selected antigen using technology similar to
that described above.
[0533] A chimeric antibody is a molecule in which different
portions of the antibody are derived from different immunoglobulin
molecules. Methods for producing chimeric antibodies are known in
the art. See e.g., Morrison, 1985, Science 229:1202; Oi et al.,
1986, BioTechniques 4:214; Gillies et al., 1989, J. Immunol.
Methods 125:191-202; and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,807,715, 4,816,567,
4,816,397, and 6,331,415, which are incorporated herein by
reference in their entirety.
[0534] A humanized antibody is an antibody or its variant or
fragment thereof which is capable of binding to a predetermined
antigen and which comprises a framework region having substantially
the amino acid sequence of a human immunoglobulin and a CDR having
substantially the amino acid sequence of a non-human immuoglobulin.
A humanized antibody comprises substantially all of at least one,
and typically two, variable domains (Fab, Fab', F(ab').sub.2, Fabc,
Fv) in which all or substantially all of the CDR regions correspond
to those of a non-human immunoglobulin (i.e., donor antibody) and
all or substantially all of the framework regions are those of a
human immunoglobulin consensus sequence. Preferably, a humanized
antibody also comprises at least a portion of an immunoglobulin
constant region (Fc), typically that of a human immunoglobulin.
Ordinarily, the antibody will contain both the light chain as well
as at least the variable domain of a heavy chain. The antibody also
may include the CH1, hinge, CH2, CH3, and CH4 regions of the heavy
chain. The humanized antibody can be selected from any class of
immunoglobulins, including IgM, IgG, IgD, IgA and IgE, and any
isotype, including IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4. Usually the constant
domain is a complement fixing constant domain where it is desired
that the humanized antibody exhibit cytotoxic activity, and the
class is typically IgG.sub.1. Where such cytotoxic activity is not
desirable, the constant domain may be of the IgG.sub.2 class. The
humanized antibody may comprise sequences from more than one class
or isotype, and selecting particular constant domains to optimize
desired effector functions is within the ordinary skill in the art.
The framework and CDR regions of a humanized antibody need not
correspond precisely to the parental sequences, e.g., the donor CDR
or the consensus framework may be mutagenized by substitution,
insertion or deletion of at least one residue so that the CDR or
framework residue at that site does not correspond to either the
consensus or the import antibody. Such mutations, however, will not
be extensive. Usually, at least 75% of the humanized antibody
residues will correspond to those of the parental FR and CDR
sequences, more often 90%, and most preferably greater than 95%.
Humanized antibody can be produced using variety of techniques
known in the art, including but not limited to, CDR-grafting
(European Patent No. EP 239,400; International publication No. WO
91/09967; and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,225,539, 5,530,101, and 5,585,089),
veneering or resurfacing (European Patent Nos. EP 592,106 and EP
519,596; Padlan, 1991, Molecular Immunology 28(4/5):489-498;
Studnicka et al., 1994, Protein Engineering 7(6):805-814; and
Roguska et al., 1994, PNAS 91:969-973), chain shuffling (U.S. Pat.
No. 5,565,332), and techniques disclosed in, e.g., U.S. Pat. No.
6,407,213, U.S. Pat. No. 5,766,886, WO 9317105, Tan et al., J.
Immunol. 169:1119-25 (2002), Caldas et al., Protein Eng.
13(5):353-60 (2000), Morea et al., Methods 20(3):267-79 (2000),
Baca et al., J. Biol. Chem. 272(16):10678-84 (1997), Roguska et
al., Protein Eng. 9(10):895-904 (1996), Couto et al., Cancer Res.
55 (23 Supp):5973s-5977s (1995), Couto et al, Cancer Res.
55(8):1717-22 (1995), Sandhu J S, Gene 150(2):409-10 (1994), and
Pedersen et al., J. Mol. Biol. 235(3):959-73 (1994). Often,
framework residues in the framework regions will be substituted
with the corresponding residue from the CDR donor antibody to
alter, preferably improve, antigen binding. These framework
substitutions are identified by methods well known in the art,
e.g., by modeling of the interactions of the CDR and framework
residues to identify framework residues important for antigen
binding and sequence comparison to identify unusual framework
residues at particular positions. (See, e.g., Queen et al., U.S.
Pat. No. 5,585,089; and Riechmann et al., 1988, Nature 332:323,
which are incorporated herein by reference in their
entireties.)
[0535] Single domain antibodies, for example, antibodies lacking
the light chains, can be produced by methods well-known in the art.
See Riechmann et al., 1999, J. Immuno. 231:25-38; Nuttall et al.,
2000, Curr. Pharm. Biotechnol. 1(3):253-263; Muylderman, 2001, J.
Biotechnol. 74(4):277302; U.S. Pat. No. 6,005,079; and
International Publication Nos. WO 94/04678, WO 94/25591, and WO
01/44301, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
[0536] Further, the antibodies that immunospecifically bind to an
antigen (e.g., IL-9 polypeptide) can, in turn, be utilized to
generate anti-idiotype antibodies that "mimic" an antigen using
techniques well known to those skilled in the art. (See, e.g.,
Greenspan & Bona, 1989, FASEB J. 7(5):437-444; and Nissinoff,
1991, J. Immunol. 147(8):2429-2438).
[0537] 5.10.1 Polynucleotide Sequences Encoding Antibodies
[0538] The invention provides polynucleotides comprising a
nucleotide sequence encoding an antibody or fragment thereof that
immunospecifically binds to an antigen (e.g., IL-9 polypeptide).
The invention also encompasses polynucleotides that hybridize under
high stringency, intermediate or lower stringency hybridization
conditions, e.g., as defined supra, to polynucleotides that encode
an antibody of the invention.
[0539] The polynucleotides may be obtained, and the nucleotide
sequence of the polynucleotides determined, by any method known in
the art. Since the amino acid sequences of 4D4, 4D4H2-1 D11,
4D4com-XF-9, 4D4com-2F9, 7F3, 71A10, 22D3, 7F3com-3H5, and
7F3com-3D4 are known, nucleotide sequences encoding these
antibodies can be determined using methods well known in the art,
i.e., nucleotide codons known to encode particular amino acids are
assembled in such a way to generate a nucleic acid that encodes the
antibody. Such a polynucleotide encoding the antibody may be
assembled from chemically synthesized oligonucleotides (e.g., as
described in Kutmeier et al., 1994, BioTechniques 17:242), which,
briefly, involves the synthesis of overlapping oligonucleotides
containing portions of the sequence encoding the antibody,
fragments, or variants thereof, annealing and ligating of those
oligonucleotides, and then amplification of the ligated
oligonucleotides by PCR.
[0540] Alternatively, a polynucleotide encoding an antibody may be
generated from nucleic acid from a suitable source. If a clone
containing a nucleic acid encoding a particular antibody is not
available, but the sequence of the antibody molecule is known, a
nucleic acid encoding the immunoglobulin may be chemically
synthesized or obtained from a suitable source (e.g., an antibody
cDNA library or a cDNA library generated from, or nucleic acid,
preferably poly A+ RNA, isolated from, any tissue or cells
expressing the antibody, such as hybridoma cells selected to
express an antibody of the invention) by PCR amplification using
synthetic primers hybridizable to the 3' and 5' ends of the
sequence or by cloning using an oligonucleotide probe specific for
the particular gene sequence to identify, e.g., a cDNA clone from a
cDNA library that encodes the antibody. Amplified nucleic acids
generated by PCR may then be cloned into replicable cloning vectors
using any method well known in the art.
[0541] Once the nucleotide sequence of the antibody is determined,
the nucleotide sequence of the antibody may be manipulated using
methods well known in the art for the manipulation of nucleotide
sequences, e.g., recombinant DNA techniques, site directed
mutagenesis, PCR, etc. (see, for example, the techniques described
in Sambrook et al., 1990, Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual,
2d Ed., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. and
Ausubel et al., eds., 1998, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology,
John Wiley & Sons, NY, which are both incorporated by reference
herein in their entireties), to generate antibodies having a
different amino acid sequence, for example to create amino acid
substitutions, deletions, and/or insertions.
[0542] In a specific embodiment, one or more of the CDRs is
inserted within framework regions using routine recombinant DNA
techniques. The framework regions may be naturally occurring or
consensus framework regions, and preferably human framework regions
(see, e.g., Chothia et al., 1998, J. Mol. Biol. 278: 457-479 for a
listing of human framework regions). Preferably, the polynucleotide
sequence generated by the combination of the framework regions and
CDRs encodes an antibody that immunospecifically binds to a
particular antigen (e.g., an IL-9 polypeptide). Preferably, one or
more amino acid substitutions may be made within the framework
regions, and, preferably, the amino acid substitutions improve
binding of the antibody to its antigen. Additionally, such methods
may be used to make amino acid substitutions or deletions of one or
more variable region cysteine residues participating in an
intrachain disulfide bond to generate antibody molecules lacking
one or more intrachain disulfide bonds. Other alterations to the
polynucleotide are encompassed by the present invention and within
the skill of the art.
[0543] 5.10.2 Recombinant Expression of Antibodies
[0544] Recombinant expression of an antibody of the invention
(e.g., a heavy or light chain of an antibody of the invention or a
fragment thereof or a single chain antibody of the invention) that
immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide requires
construction of an expression vector containing a polynucleotide
that encodes the antibody. Once a polynucleotide encoding an
antibody molecule, heavy or light chain of an antibody, or fragment
thereof (preferably, but not necessarily, containing the heavy or
light chain variable domain) of the invention has been obtained,
the vector for the production of the antibody molecule may be
produced by recombinant DNA technology using techniques well-known
in the art. Thus, methods for preparing a protein by expressing a
polynucleotide containing an antibody encoding nucleotide sequence
are described herein. Methods which are well known to those skilled
in the art can be used to construct expression vectors containing
antibody coding sequences and appropriate transcriptional and
translational control signals. These methods include, for example,
in vitro recombinant DNA techniques, synthetic techniques, and in
vivo genetic recombination. The invention, thus, provides
replicable vectors comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding an
antibody molecule of the invention, a heavy or light chain of an
antibody, a heavy or light chain variable domain of an antibody or
a fragment thereof, or a heavy or light chain CDR, operably linked
to a promoter. Such vectors may include the nucleotide sequence
encoding the constant region of the antibody molecule (see, e.g.,
International Publication No. WO 86/05807; International
Publication No. WO 89/01036; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,122,464) and the
variable domain of the antibody may be cloned into such a vector
for expression of the entire heavy, the entire light chain, or both
the entire heavy and light chains.
[0545] The expression vector is transferred to a host cell by
conventional techniques and the transfected cells are then cultured
by conventional techniques to produce an antibody of the invention.
Thus, the invention includes host cells containing a polynucleotide
encoding an antibody of the invention or fragments thereof, or a
heavy or light chain thereof, or fragment thereof, or a single
chain antibody of the invention, operably linked to a heterologous
promoter. In preferred embodiments for the expression of
double-chained antibodies, vectors encoding both the heavy and
light chains may be co-expressed in the host cell for expression of
the entire immunoglobulin molecule, as detailed below.
[0546] A variety of host-expression vector systems may be utilized
to express the antibody molecules of the invention (see, e.g., U.S.
Pat. No. 5,807,715). Such host-expression systems represent
vehicles by which the coding sequences of interest may be produced
and subsequently purified, but also represent cells which may, when
transformed or transfected with the appropriate nucleotide coding
sequences, express an antibody molecule of the invention in situ.
These include but are not limited to microorganisms such as
bacteria (e.g., E. coli and B. subtilis) transformed with
recombinant bacteriophage DNA, plasmid DNA or cosmid DNA expression
vectors containing antibody coding sequences; yeast (e.g.,
Saccharomyces Pichia) transformed with recombinant yeast expression
vectors containing antibody coding sequences; insect cell systems
infected with recombinant virus expression vectors (e.g.,
baculovirus) containing antibody coding sequences; plant cell
systems infected with recombinant virus expression vectors (e.g.,
cauliflower mosaic virus, CaMV; tobacco mosaic virus, TMV) or
transformed with recombinant plasmid expression vectors (e.g., Ti
plasmid) containing antibody coding sequences; or mammalian cell
systems (e.g., COS, CHO, BHK, 293, NSO, and 3T3 cells) harboring
recombinant expression constructs containing promoters derived from
the genome of mammalian cells (e.g., metallothionein promoter) or
from mammalian viruses (e.g., the adenovirus late promoter; the
vaccinia virus 7.5K promoter). Preferably, bacterial cells such as
Escherichia coli, and more preferably, eukaryotic cells, especially
for the expression of whole recombinant antibody molecule, are used
for the expression of a recombinant antibody molecule. For example,
mammalian cells such as Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO), in
conjunction with a vector such as the major intermediate early gene
promoter element from human cytomegalovirus is an effective
expression system for antibodies (Foecking et al., 1986, Gene 45:
101; and Cockett et al., 1990, Bio/Technology 8:2). In a specific
embodiment, the expression of nucleotide sequences encoding
antibodies of the invention, derivative, analog, or fragment
thereof which immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide or
fragments thereof is regulated by a constitutive promoter,
inducible promoter or tissue specific promoter.
[0547] In bacterial systems, a number of expression vectors may be
advantageously selected depending upon the use intended for the
antibody molecule being expressed. For example, when a large
quantity of such an antibody is to be produced, for the generation
of pharmaceutical compositions of an antibody molecule, vectors
which direct the expression of high levels of fusion protein
products that are readily purified may be desirable. Such vectors
include, but are not limited to, the E. coli expression vector
pUR278 (Ruther et al., 1983, EMBO 12:1791), in which the antibody
coding sequence may be ligated individually into the vector in
frame with the lac Z coding region so that a fusion protein is
produced; pIN vectors (Inouye & Inouye, 1985, Nucleic Acids
Res. 13:3101-3109; Van Heeke & Schuster, 1989, J. Biol. Chem.
24:5503-5509); and the like. pGEX vectors may also be used to
express foreign polypeptides as fusion proteins with glutathione
5-transferase (GST). In general, such fusion proteins are soluble
and can easily be purified from lysed cells by adsorption and
binding to matrix glutathione agarose beads followed by elution in
the presence of free glutathione. The pGEX vectors are designed to
include thrombin or factor Xa protease cleavage sites so that the
cloned target gene product can be released from the GST moiety.
[0548] In an insect system, Autographa californica nuclear
polyhedrosis virus (AcNPV) is used as a vector to express foreign
genes. The virus grows in Spodoptera frugiperda cells. The antibody
coding sequence may be cloned individually into non-essential
regions (for example the polyhedrin gene) of the virus and placed
under control of an AcNPV promoter (for example the polyhedrin
promoter).
[0549] In mammalian host cells, a number of viral-based expression
systems may be utilized. In cases where an adenovirus is used as an
expression vector, the antibody coding sequence of interest may be
ligated to an adenovirus transcription/translation control complex,
e.g., the late promoter and tripartite leader sequence. This
chimeric gene may then be inserted in the adenovirus genome by in
vitro or in vivo recombination. Insertion in a non-essential region
of the viral genome (e.g., region E1 or E3) will result in a
recombinant virus that is viable and capable of expressing the
antibody molecule in infected hosts (e.g., see Logan & Shenk,
1984, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81:355-359). Specific initiation
signals may also be required for efficient translation of inserted
antibody coding sequences. These signals include the ATG initiation
codon and adjacent sequences. Furthermore, the initiation codon
must be in phase with the reading frame of the desired coding
sequence to ensure translation of the entire insert. These
exogenous translational control signals and initiation codons can
be of a variety of origins, both natural and synthetic. The
efficiency of expression may be enhanced by the inclusion of
appropriate transcription enhancer elements, transcription
terminators, etc. (see, e.g., Bittner et al., 1987, Methods in
Enzymol. 153:51-544).
[0550] In addition, a host cell strain may be chosen which
modulates the expression of the inserted sequences, or modifies and
processes the gene product in the specific fashion desired. Such
modifications (e.g., glycosylation) and processing (e.g., cleavage)
of protein products may be important for the function of the
protein. Different host cells have characteristic and specific
mechanisms for the post-translational processing and modification
of proteins and gene products. Appropriate cell lines or host
systems can be chosen to ensure the correct modification and
processing of the foreign protein expressed. To this end,
eukaryotic host cells which possess the cellular machinery for
proper processing of the primary transcript, glycosylation, and
phosphorylation of the gene product may be used. Such mammalian
host cells include but are not limited to CHO, VERY, BHK, Hela,
COS, MDCK, 293, 3T3, W138, BT483, Hs578T, HTB2, BT20 and T47D, NSO
(a murine myeloma cell line that does not endogenously produce any
immunoglobulin chains), CRL7O3O and HsS78Bst cells.
[0551] For long-term, high-yield production of recombinant
proteins, stable expression is preferred. For example, cell lines
which stably express the antibody molecule may be engineered.
Rather than using expression vectors which contain viral origins of
replication, host cells can be transformed with DNA controlled by
appropriate expression control elements (e.g., promoter, enhancer,
sequences, transcription terminators, polyadenylation sites, etc.),
and a selectable marker. Following the introduction of the foreign
DNA, engineered cells may be allowed to grow for 1-2 days in an
enriched media, and then are switched to a selective media. The
selectable marker in the recombinant plasmid confers resistance to
the selection and allows cells to stably integrate the plasmid into
their chromosomes and grow to form foci which in turn can be cloned
and expanded into cell lines. This method may advantageously be
used to engineer cell lines which express the antibody molecule.
Such engineered cell lines may be particularly useful in screening
and evaluation of compositions that interact directly or indirectly
with the antibody molecule.
[0552] A number of selection systems may be used, including but not
limited to, the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (Wigler et
al., 1977, Cell 11:223), hypoxanthineguanine
phosphoribosyltransferase (Szybalska & Szybalski, 1992, Proc.
Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 48:202), and adenine phosphoribosyltransferase
(Lowy et al., 1980, Cell 22:8-17) genes can be employed in tk-,
hgprt- or aprt- cells, respectively. Also, antimetabolite
resistance can be used as the basis of selection for the following
genes: dhfr, which confers resistance to methotrexate (Wigler et
al., 1980, Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 77:357; O'Hare et al., 1981, Proc.
Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 78:1527); gpt, which confers resistance to
mycophenolic acid (Mulligan & Berg, 1981, Proc. Natl. Acad.
Sci. USA 78:2072); neo, which confers resistance to the
aminoglycoside G-418 (Wu and Wu, 1991, Biotherapy 3:87-95;
Tolstoshev, 1993, Ann. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxicol. 32:573-596;
Mulligan, 1993, Science 260:926-932; and Morgan and Anderson, 1993,
Ann. Rev. Biochem. 62: 191-217; May, 1993, TIB TECH 11(5):155-215);
and hygro, which confers resistance to hygromycin (Santerre et al.,
1984, Gene 30:147). Methods commonly known in the art of
recombinant DNA technology may be routinely applied to select the
desired recombinant clone, and such methods are described, for
example, in Ausubel et al. (eds.), Current Protocols in Molecular
Biology, John Wiley & Sons, NY (1993); Kriegler, Gene Transfer
and Expression, A Laboratory Manual, Stockton Press, NY (1990); and
in Chapters 12 and 13, Dracopoli et al. (eds), Current Protocols in
Human Genetics, John Wiley & Sons, NY (1994); Colberre-Garapin
et al., 1981, J. Mol. Biol. 150:1, which are incorporated by
reference herein in their entireties.
[0553] The expression levels of an antibody molecule can be
increased by vector amplification (for a review, see Bebbington and
Hentschel, The use of vectors based on gene amplification for the
expression of cloned genes in mammalian cells in DNA cloning, Vol.
3. (Academic Press, New York, 1987)). When a marker in the vector
system expressing antibody is amplifiable, increase in the level of
inhibitor present in culture of host cell will increase the number
of copies of the marker gene. Since the amplified region is
associated with the antibody gene, production of the antibody will
also increase (Crouse et al., 1983, Mol. Cell. Biol. 3:257).
[0554] The host cell may be co-transfected with two expression
vectors of the invention, the first vector encoding a heavy chain
derived polypeptide and the second vector encoding a light chain
derived polypeptide. The two vectors may contain identical
selectable markers which enable equal expression of heavy and light
chain polypeptides. Alternatively, a single vector may be used
which encodes, and is capable of expressing, both heavy and light
chain polypeptides. In such situations, the light chain should be
placed before the heavy chain to avoid an excess of toxic free
heavy chain (Proudfoot, 1986, Nature 322:52; and Kohler, 1980,
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 77:2 197). The coding sequences for the
heavy and light chains may comprise cDNA or genomic DNA.
[0555] Once an antibody molecule of the invention has been produced
by recombinant expression, it may be purified by any method known
in the art for purification of an immunoglobulin molecule, for
example, by chromatography (e.g., ion exchange, affinity,
particularly by affinity for the specific antigen after Protein A,
and sizing column chromatography), centrifugation, differential
solubility, or by any other standard technique for the purification
of proteins. Further, the antibodies of the present invention or
fragments thereof may be fused to heterologous polypeptide
sequences described herein or otherwise known in the art to
facilitate purification.
5.11 IL-9 Polypeptides
[0556] An IL-9 polypeptide may be IL-9, an analog, derivative or a
fragment thereof, or a fusion protein comprising IL-9, an analog,
derivative or a fragment thereof. The IL-9 polypeptide may be from
any species. The nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences of IL-9
polypeptides can be found in the literature or public databases, or
the nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences can be determined using
cloning and sequencing techniques known to one of skill in the art.
For example, the nucleotide sequence of human L-9 can be found in
the GenBank database (see, e.g., Accession No. NM.sub.--000590;
FIG. 12). The amino acid sequence of human IL-9 can be found in the
GenBank database (see, e.g., Accession Nos. A60480 and AAC17735;
FIG. 13) and in U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/371,683 (the
amino acid sequence of human IL-9 on page 15 is specifically
incorporated herein by reference). In a preferred embodiment, an
IL-9 polypeptide is human IL-9, an analog, derivative or a fragment
thereof.
[0557] An IL-9 polypeptide may be a "free-standing" fragment of
L-9, or a fragment of IL-9 within a larger polypeptide of which the
fragment forms a part or region, most preferably as a single
continuous region. Representative examples of IL-9 fragments that
may be bound by antibodies of the present invention, include, for
example, fragments that comprise or alternatively, consist of from
about amino acid residues: 1 to 15, 16-30, 31-46, 47-55, 56-72,
73-104, 105-126 the of the amino acid sequence corresponding to
human IL-9. Moreover, an IL-9 polypeptide that may be bound by
antibodies of the present invention can be at least 4, at least 5,
at least 6, at least 7, at least 8, at least 9, at least 10, at
least 11, at least 12, at least 13, at least 14, at least 15, at
least 20, at least 30, at least 40, at least 50, at least 60, at
least 70, at least 80, at least 90, at least 100, at least 110, at
least 120 or at least 125 amino acids in length. In this context,
"about" means the particularly recited ranges and ranges larger or
smaller by several, a few, 5, 4, 3, 2 or 1 amino acid residues at
either or both the amino- and carboxy-termini.
[0558] An IL-9 polypeptide may be fused with the constant domain of
immunoglobulins (IgA, IgE, IgG, IgM), or portions thereof (CH1,
CH2, CH3, or any combination thereof and portions thereof), or
albumin (including but not limited to recombinant human albumin or
fragments or variants thereof (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,876,969,
issued Mar. 2, 1999, EP Patent 0 413 622, and U.S. Pat. No.
5,766,883, issued Jun. 16, 1998, herein incorporated by reference
in their entirety)), resulting in chimeric polypeptides. Such
fusion proteins may facilitate purification and may increase
half-life in vivo. This has been shown for chimeric proteins
consisting of the first two domains of the human CD4 polypeptide
and various domains of the constant regions of the heavy or light
chains of mammalian immunoglobulins. See, e.g., EP 394,827;
Traunecker et al., Nature, 33 1:84 86 (1998). Enhanced delivery of
an antigen across the epithelial barrier to the immune system has
been demonstrated for antigens (e.g., insulin) conjugated to an
FcRn binding partner such as IgG or Fc fragments (see, e.g.,
International Publication Nos. WO 96/22024 and WO 99/048 13). IgG
Fusion proteins that have a disulfide-linked dimeric structure due
to the IgG portion disulfide bonds have also been found to be more
efficient in binding and neutralizing other molecules than
monomeric polypeptides or fragments thereof alone. See, e.g.,
Fountoulakis et al., J. Biochem., 270:3958-3964 (1995). Nucleic
acids encoding the above epitopes can also be recombined with a
gene of interest as an epitope tag (e.g., the hemagglutinin ("HA")
tag or flag tag) to aid in detection and purification of the
expressed polypeptide. For example, a system described by Janknecht
et al., allows for the ready purification of non-denatured fusion
proteins expressed in human cell lines (Janknecht et al., 1991,
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88:8972-897). In this system, the gene
of interest is subcloned into a vaccinia recombination plasmid such
that the open reading frame of the gene is transitionally fused to
an amino-terminal tag consisting of six histidine residues. The tag
serves as a matrix-binding domain for the fusion protein. Extracts
from cells infected with the recombinant vaccinia virus are loaded
onto Ni2+ nitriloacetic acid-agarose column and histidine tagged
proteins can be selectively eluted with imidazole-containing
buffers.
[0559] In a specific embodiment, an IL-9 polypeptides is fused with
a heterologous antigen (e.g., polypeptide, carbohydrate,
phospholipid, or nucleic acid). In specific embodiments, the
heterologous antigen is an immunogen.
[0560] In another embodiment, an IL-9 polypeptide is a derivative
of IL-9 or the epitope-bearing fragments thereof. Such derivatives
can be generated by random mutagenesis of a polynucleotide encoding
IL-9, by error-prone PCR, random nucleotide insertion or other
methods prior to recombination. Alternatively, site-directed
mutagenesis techniques can be used to produce derivatives. Amino
acids in the IL-9 polypeptides that are essential for function can
be identified by methods known in the, art, such as site-directed
mutagenesis or alanine-scanning mutagenesis (Cunningham and Wells,
Science 244:1081-1085 (1989)). The latter procedure introduces
single alanine mutations at every residue in the molecule. The
resulting mutant molecules are then tested for functional activity,
such ligand binding and the ability to stimulate lymphocyte (e.g.,
B cell) as, for example, proliferation, differentiation, and/or
activation. In one embodiment of the invention, an IL-9 polypeptide
comprises an amino acid sequence which contains at least one
conservative amino acid substitution, but not more than 50
conservative amino acid substitutions, even more preferably, not
more than 40 conservative amino acid substitutions, still more
preferably, not more than 30 conservative amino acid substitutions,
and still even more preferably, not more than 20 conservative amino
acid substitutions relative to the native IL-9 amino acid sequence
(e.g., the native human IL-9 amino acid sequence). In another
embodiment of the invention, an IL-9 polypeptide comprises an amino
acid sequence which contains at least one conservative amino acid
substitution; but not more than 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 or 1
conservative amino acid substitutions relative to the native IL-9
amino acid sequence (e.g., the native human IL-9 amino acid
sequence). In yet another embodiment, an IL-9 polypeptide comprises
and an amino acid sequence which contains one or more conservative
substitutions or a combination of non-conservative and conservative
amino acid substitutions relative to the native IL-9 amino acid
sequence.
[0561] To improve or alter the characteristics of IL-9
polypeptides, protein engineering may be employed. Recombinant DNA
technology known to those skilled in the art can be used to create
novel mutant proteins or "muteins" including single or multiple
amino acid substitutions, deletions, additions or fusion proteins.
Such modified polypeptides can show, e.g., enhanced activity or
increased stability. In addition, they may be purified in higher
yields and show better solubility than the corresponding natural
polypeptide, at least under certain purification and storage
conditions. For instance, for many proteins, it is known in the art
that one or more amino acids may be deleted from the N-terminus or
C-terminus without substantial loss of biological function. For
instance, Ron et al., J. Biol. Chem., 268:2984-2988 (1993) reported
modified KGF proteins that had heparin binding activity even if 3,
8, or 27 amino-terminal amino acid residues were missing.
Accordingly, antibodies of the present invention may bind IL-9
polypeptide mutants or variants generated by protein
engineering.
[0562] In another embodiment, an IL-9 polypeptide is at least 50%,
at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least
85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% identical to a native IL-9 amino
acid sequence (e.g., a native human IL-9 amino acid sequence).
5.12 Methods of Producing Polypeptides
[0563] Polypeptides, peptides, proteins, and fusion proteins can be
produced by standard recombinant DNA techniques or by protein
synthetic techniques, e.g., by use of a peptide synthesizer. For
example, a nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptides, peptides,
proteins, or fusion proteins can be synthesized by conventional
techniques including automated DNA synthesizers. Alternatively, PCR
amplification of gene fragments can be carried out using anchor
primers which give rise to complementary overhangs between two
consecutive gene fragments which can subsequently be annealed and
reamplified to generate a chimeric gene sequence (see, e.g.,
Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Ausubel et al., eds., John
Wiley & Sons, 1992).
[0564] The nucleotide sequences encoding a polypeptide, peptide,
protein, or fusion protein may be obtained from any information
available to those of skill in the art (i.e., from Genbank, the
literature, or by routine cloning). The nucleotide sequence coding
for a polypeptide, peptide, protein, and fusion protein can be
inserted into an appropriate expression vector, i.e., a vector
which contains the necessary elements for the transcription and
translation of the inserted protein-coding sequence. A variety of
host-vector systems may be utilized in the present invention to
express the protein-coding sequence. These include but are not
limited to mammalian cell systems infected with virus (e.g.,
vaccinia virus, adenovirus, etc.); insect cell systems infected
with virus (e.g., baculovirus); microorganisms such as yeast
containing yeast vectors; or bacteria transformed with
bacteriophage, DNA, plasmid DNA, or cosmid DNA. The expression
elements of vectors vary in their strengths and specificities.
Depending on the host-vector system utilized, any one of a number
of suitable transcription and translation elements may be used.
[0565] The expression of a polypeptide, peptide, protein, or fusion
protein may be controlled by any promoter or enhancer element known
in the art. Promoters which may be used to control the expression
of the gene encoding fusion protein include, but are not limited
to, the SV40 early promoter region (Bernoist and Chambon, 1981,
Nature 290:304-310), the promoter contained in the 3' long terminal
repeat of Rous sarcoma virus (Yamamoto, et al., 1980, Cell
22:787-797), the herpes thymidine kinase promoter (Wagner et al.,
1981, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 78:1441-1445), the regulatory
sequences of the metallothionein gene (Brinster et al., 1982,
Nature 296:39-42), the tetracycline (Tet) promoter (Gossen et al.,
1995, Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 89:5547-5551); prokaryotic
expression vectors such as the .beta.-lactamase promoter
(Villa-Kamaroff, et al., 1978, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.
75:3727-3731), or the tac promoter (DeBoer, et al., 1983, Proc.
Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 80:21-25; see also "Useful proteins from
recombinant bacteria" in Scientific American, 1980, 242:74-94);
plant expression vectors comprising the nopaline synthetase
promoter region (Herrera-Estrella et al., Nature 303:209-213) or
the cauliflower mosaic virus .sup.35S RNA promoter (Gardner, et
al., 1981, Nucl. Acids Res. 9:2871), and the promoter of the
photosynthetic enzyme ribulose biphosphate carboxylase
(Herrera-Estrella et al., 1984, Nature 310:115-120); promoter
elements from yeast or other fungi such as the Gal 4 promoter, the
ADC (alcohol dehydrogenase) promoter, PGK (phosphoglycerol kinase)
promoter, alkaline phosphatase promoter, and the following animal
transcriptional control regions, which exhibit tissue specificity
and have been utilized in transgenic animals: elastase I gene
control region which is active in pancreatic acinar cells (Swift et
al., 1984, Cell 38:639-646; Ornitz et al., 1986, Cold Spring Harbor
Symp. Quant. Biol. 50:399-409; MacDonald, 1987, Hepatology
7:425-515); insulin gene control region which is active in
pancreatic beta cells (Hanahan, 1985, Nature 315:115-122),
immunoglobulin gene control region which is active in lymphoid
cells (Grosschedl et al., 1984, Cell 38:647-658; Adames et al.,
1985, Nature 318:533-538; Alexander et al., 1987, Mol. Cell. Biol.
7:1436-1444), mouse mammary tumor virus control region which is
active in testicular, breast, lymphoid and mast cells (Leder et
al., 1986, Cell 45:485-495), albumin gene control region which is
active in liver (Pinkert et al., 1987, Genes and Devel. 1:268-276),
alpha-fetoprotein gene control region which is active in liver
(Krumlauf et al., 1985, Mol. Cell. Biol. 5:1639-1648; Hammer et
al., 1987, Science 235:53-58; alpha 1-antitrypsin gene control
region which is active in the liver (Kelsey et al., 1987, Genes and
Devel. 1:161-171), beta-globin gene control region which is active
in myeloid cells (Mogram et al., 1985, Nature 315:338-340; Kollias
et al., 1986, Cell 46:89-94; myelin basic protein gene control
region which is active in oligodendrocyte cells in the brain
(Readhead et al., 1987, Cell 48:703-712); myosin light chain-2 gene
control region which is active in skeletal muscle (Sani, 1985,
Nature 314:283-286); neuronal-specific enolase (NSE) which is
active in neuronal cells (Morelli et al., 1999, Gen. Virol.
80:571-83); brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene control
region which is active in neuronal cells (Tabuchi et al., 1998,
Biochem. Biophysic. Res. Com. 253:818-823); glial fibrillary acidic
protein (GFAP) promoter which is active in astrocytes (Gomes et
al., 1999, Braz J Med Biol Res 32(5):619-631; Morelli et al., 1999,
Gen. Virol. 80:571-83) and gonadotropic releasing hormone gene
control region which is active in the hypothalamus (Mason et al.,
1986, Science 234:1372-1378).
[0566] In a specific embodiment, the expression of a polypeptide,
peptide, protein, or fusion protein is regulated by a constitutive
promoter. In another embodiment, the expression of a polypeptide,
peptide, protein, or a fusion protein is regulated by an inducible
promoter. In another embodiment, the expression of a polypeptide,
peptide, protein, or a fusion protein is regulated by a
tissue-specific promoter.
[0567] In a specific embodiment, a vector is used that comprises a
promoter operably linked to a polypeptide, peptide, protein, or a
fusion protein-encoding nucleic acid, one or more origins of
replication, and, optionally, one or more selectable markers (e.g.,
an antibiotic resistance gene).
[0568] In mammalian host cells, a number of viral-based expression
systems may be utilized. In cases where an adenovirus is used as an
expression vector, the polypeptide or fusion protein coding
sequence may be ligated to an adenovirus transcription/translation
control complex, e.g., the late promoter and tripartite leader
sequence. This chimeric gene may then be inserted in the adenovirus
genome by in vitro or in vivo recombination. Insertion in a
non-essential region of the viral genome (e.g., region E1 or E3)
will result in a recombinant virus that is viable and capable of
expressing the antibody molecule in infected hosts (e.g., see Logan
& Shenk, 1984, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81:355-359). Specific
initiation signals may also be required for efficient translation
of inserted fusion protein coding sequences. These signals include
the ATG initiation codon and adjacent sequences. Furthermore, the
initiation codon must be in phase with the reading frame of the
desired coding sequence to ensure translation of the entire insert.
These exogenous translational control signals and initiation codons
can be of a variety of origins, both natural and synthetic. The
efficiency of expression may be enhanced by the inclusion of
appropriate transcription enhancer elements, transcription
terminators, etc. (see Bittner et al., 1987, Methods in Enzymol.
153:51-544).
[0569] Expression vectors containing inserts of a gene encoding a
polypeptide, peptide, protein, or fusion protein can be identified
by three general approaches: (a) nucleic acid hybridization, (b)
presence or absence of "marker" gene functions, and (c) expression
of inserted sequences. In the first approach, the presence of a
gene encoding a polypeptide, peptide, protein, or a fusion protein
in an expression vector can be detected by nucleic acid
hybridization using probes comprising sequences that are homologous
to an inserted gene encoding the polypeptide, peptide, protein, or
the fusion protein, respectively. In the second approach, the
recombinant vector/host system can be identified and selected based
upon the presence or absence of certain "marker" gene functions
(e.g., thymidine kinase activity, resistance to antibiotics,
transformation phenotype, occlusion body formation in baculovirus,
etc.) caused by the insertion of a nucleotide sequence encoding a
polypeptide, peptide, protein, or fusion protein in the vector. For
example, if the nucleotide sequence encoding the fusion protein is
inserted within the marker gene sequence of the vector,
recombinants containing the gene encoding the fusion protein insert
can be identified by the absence of the marker gene function. In
the third approach, recombinant expression vectors can be
identified by assaying the gene product (e.g., fusion protein)
expressed by the recombinant. Such assays can be based, for
example, on the physical or functional properties of the fusion
protein in in vitro assay systems, e.g., binding to an
antibody.
[0570] In addition, a host cell strain may be chosen which
modulates the expression of the inserted sequences, or modifies and
processes the gene product in the specific fashion desired.
Expression from certain promoters can be elevated in the presence
of certain inducers; thus, expression of the genetically engineered
fusion protein may be controlled. Furthermore, different host cells
have characteristic and specific mechanisms for the translational
and post-translational processing and modification (e.g.,
glycosylation, phosphorylation of proteins). Appropriate cell lines
or host systems can be chosen to ensure the desired modification
and processing of the foreign protein expressed. For example,
expression in a bacterial system will produce an unglycosylated
product and expression in yeast will produce a glycosylated
product. Eukaryotic host cells which possess the cellular machinery
for proper processing of the primary transcript, glycosylation, and
phosphorylation of the gene product may be used. Such mammalian
host cells include, but are not limited to, CHO, VERY, BHK, Hela,
COS, MDCK, 293, 3T3, W138, NS0, and in particular, neuronal cell
lines such as, for example, SK-N-AS, SK-N-FI, SK-N-DZ human
neuroblastomas (Sugimoto et al., 1984, J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 73:
51-57), SK-N-SH human neuroblastoma (Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 1982,
704: 450-460), Daoy human cerebellar medulloblastoma (He et al.,
1992, Cancer Res. 52: 1144-1148) DBTRG-05MG glioblastoma cells
(Kruse et al., 1992, In Vitro Cell. Dev. Biol. 28A: 609-614),
IMR-32 human neuroblastoma (Cancer Res., 1970, 30: 2110-2118),
1321N1 human astrocytoma (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 1977, 74:
4816), MOG-G-CCM human astrocytoma (Br. J. Cancer, 1984, 49: 269),
U87MG human glioblastoma-astrocytoma (Acta Pathol. Microbiol.
Scand., 1968, 74: 465-486), A172 human glioblastoma (Olopade et
al., 1992, Cancer Res. 52: 2523-2529), C6 rat glioma cells (Benda
et al., 1968, Science 161: 370-371), Neuro-2a mouse neuroblastoma
(Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 1970, 65: 129-136), NB41A3 mouse
neuroblastoma (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 1962, 48: 1184-1190),
SCP sheep choroid plexus (Bolin et al., 1994, J. Virol. Methods 48:
211-221), G355-5, PG-4 Cat normal astrocyte (Haapala et al., 1985,
J. Virol. 53: 827-833), Mpf ferret brain (Trowbridge et al., 1982,
In Vitro 18: 952-960), and normal cell lines such as, for example,
CTX TNA2 rat normal cortex brain (Radany et al., 1992, Proc. Natl.
Acad. Sci. USA 89: 6467-6471) such as, for example, CRL7030 and
Hs578Bst. Furthermore, different vector/host expression systems may
effect processing reactions to different extents.
[0571] For long-term, high-yield production of recombinant
polypeptide, peptide, protein, or fusion protein, stable expression
is preferred. For example, cell lines which stably express a
polypeptide, peptide, protein, or a fusion protein may be
engineered. Rather than using expression vectors which contain
viral origins of replication, host cells can be transformed with
DNA controlled by appropriate expression control elements (e.g.,
promoter, enhancer, sequences, transcription terminators,
polyadenylation sites, etc.), and a selectable marker. Following
the introduction of the foreign DNA, engineered cells may be
allowed to grow for 1-2 days in an enriched medium, and then are
switched to a selective medium. The selectable marker in the
recombinant plasmid confers resistance to the selection and allows
cells to stably integrate the plasmid into their chromosomes and
grow to form foci which in turn can be cloned and expanded into
cell lines. This method may advantageously be used to engineer cell
lines which express a polypeptide, peptide, protein, or a fusion
protein that immunospecifically binds to an IL-9 polypeptide. Such
engineered cell lines may be particularly useful in screening and
evaluation of compounds that affect the activity of a polypeptide,
peptide, protein, or fusion protein that immunospecifically binds
to an IL-9 polypeptide.
[0572] A number of selection systems may be used, including but not
limited to the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (Wigler, et
al., 1977, Cell 11:223), hypoxanthine-guanine
phosphoribosyltransferase (Szybalska & Szybalski, 1962, Proc.
Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 48:2026), and adenine
phosphoribosyltransferase (Lowy, et al., 1980, Cell 22:817) genes
can be employed in tk-, hgprt- or aprt- cells, respectively. Also,
antimetabolite resistance can be used as the basis of selection for
dhfr, which confers resistance to methotrexate (Wigler, et al.,
1980, Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 77:3567; O'Hare, et al., 1981, Proc.
Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 78:1527); gpt, which confers resistance to
mycophenolic acid (Mulligan & Berg, 1981, Proc. Natl. Acad.
Sci. USA 78:2072); neo, which confers resistance to the
aminoglycoside G-418 (Colberre-Garapin, et al., 1981, J. Mol. Biol.
150:1); and hygro, which confers resistance to hygromycin
(Santerre, et al., 1984, Gene 30:147) genes.
[0573] Once a polypeptide, peptide, protein, or a fusion protein of
the invention has been produced by recombinant expression, it may
be purified by any method known in the art for purification of a
protein, for example, by chromatography (e.g., ion exchange,
affinity, particularly by affinity for the specific antigen after
Protein A, and sizing column chromatography), centrifugation,
differential solubility, or by any other standard technique for the
purification of proteins.
6. EXAMPLES
[0574] Certain embodiments of the invention are illustrated by the
following non-limiting examples.
6.1 Example 1
Preparation of Anti-IL-9 Antibody 7F3com-2H2
[0575] The anti-IL-9 humanized monoclonal antibody 7F3com-2H2 was
prepared using the pMI347 vector. The pMI347 vector coding for the
expression of 7F3com-2H2 consists of the following four independent
genetic elements: a glutamine synthetase selectable marker
expression cassette, the 2H2 kappa light chain cDNA expression
cassette, the 2H2 .gamma.1 heavy chain mini-gene expression
cassette, and a bacterial origin of replication and antibiotic
resistance gene.
[0576] The first element, the glutamine synthetase selectable
marker expression cassette consists of hamster glutamine synthetase
(GS) cDNA under the control of simian virus 40 (SV40) early
enhancer and promoter and SV40 early splicing and polyadenylation
region for efficient mRNA cleavage and addition of a polyadneylate
tail. This element is required for integration, amplification, and
stable maintenance of the plasmid in the host cell genome.
[0577] Each of the 2H2 heavy and light chain expression cassettes
consist of the human cytomegalovirus major immediate early (hCMVie)
enhancer, promoter, and 5;-untranslated region directing the high
level transcription of 2H2 light cahin cDNA, and the SV40 early
polyadenylation region for efficient polyadenylation. This
combination of a strong enhancer/promoter and an efficient
polyadenylation region assures high levels of stable 2H2 light
chain mRNA in the cells. The light and heavy chain expression
cassettes are separated by a murine immunoglobulin mu transcription
termination region to prevent transcriptional interference of the
downstream genes.
[0578] The final element of the pMI347 vector is the bacterial
origin of replication and antibiotic resistance gene (e.g.,
beta-lactamase gene) allow for the propagation and selection of the
vector E. coli.
[0579] The pMI347 vector encoding the anti-IL-9 monoclonal antibody
7F3com-2H2 has been deposited in the form of E. coli (DH5-.alpha.)
with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), located in
Manassas, Va., under the provisions of the Budapest Treaty on the
International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the
Purposes of Patent Procedure ("Budapest Treaty"), on Apr. 9, 2004,
and assigned accession number PTA-5913.
Transient Mammalian Cell Expression of 7F3com-2H2
[0580] The expression vector pMI347 was introduced to 293-H cells
vial lipid mediated transfection for transient expression. After 72
hours, the cell culture supernatant was harvested and fresh growth
medium was added to each plate. The process was repeated after 96
hours. After the third harvest, the cell culture supernatants were
pooled and assayed for human IgG content.
Stable Mammalian Cell Expression of 7F3com-2H2
[0581] The expression vector pMI347 was linearized with the Sal I
restriction enzyme and introduced into NSO cells by
electroporation. Cells were selected for integration of the plasmid
into the host cell genome in glutamine-free medium. Colonies
surviving in the glutamine-free environment were screened for
immunoglobulin expression and the highest expressing colonies were
expanded. Then, these primary transfectants were cloned by limiting
dilution in glutamine-free medium to isolate high producing
sub-populations. The clones were screened for specific productivity
and growth characteristics. Thos clones that exhibited the most
favorable combinations of high productivity and rapid growth were
selected for evaluation as production cell lines.
Quantitation of 7F3com-2H2
[0582] Cell culture supernatants were screened for the 7F3com-2H2
antibody using a sandwich ELISA. Assay plates coated with
goat-anti-human IgG were washed and incubated with cell culture
supernatant and human IgG standards. After incubation, the plates
were washed to remove non-bound IgG. Then the plates were reacted
with horseradish peroxidase-labeled goat-anti-human IgG secondary
antibody. After incubation, the plates were again washed. The
chromogenic substrate 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine was added to
each well and after five minutes, 0.1N sulfuric acid was added to
terminate the substrate turnover. The substrate turnover was then
measured at 450 nm using a microplate reader. The standard curve
was plotted as a log-linear relationship and unknown samples were
compared to the standard curve to estimate their human IgG
content.
6.2 Antibody Purification
[0583] The following section describes a method for purifying
antibodies to be used in the methods of the invention.
[0584] Buffer Components and Equipment
[0585] Buffers, process solutions and cleaning solutions are
prepared with water for injection (WFI). Buffers are tested for
bioburden and endotoxin.
[0586] Buffers and Process Solutions
[0587] 0.1 M citric acid
[0588] 10 mM sodium citrate, 80 mM NaCl, pH 4.6
[0589] 25 mM sodium phosphate, pH 6.5
[0590] 20 mM Tris-HCl, 40 mM NaCl, pH 7.5
[0591] 0.5 M sodium phosphate, pH 6.5
[0592] 5 mM sodium phosphate, 40 mM NaCl, pH 6.5
[0593] 50 mM Glycine-HCl, 30 mM NaCl, pH 2.5
[0594] 50 mM Glycine-HC, pH 2.35
[0595] 1.0 M Tris base
[0596] Cleaning and Storage Solutions
[0597] Water for Injection (WFI)
[0598] 1.0 N NaOH
[0599] 0.1 N NaOH
[0600] 20% (v/v) ethanol
[0601] 0.5 N NaOH, 400 ppm sodium hypochlorite
[0602] Formulation Buffers
[0603] 10 mM Histidine, 150 mM NaCl, pH 6.0
[0604] 4 M sodium chloride
[0605] Equipment (Substitutions with equivalent performing
materials are acceptable)
[0606] 300 kg scale
Conductivity meter Stir plate
[0607] pH meter
[0608] Vessels: Appropriately sized Stedim.TM. bags, buffer tanks,
PETG Bottles
[0609] Watson Marlow 1700 peristaltic pump
[0610] Wedgewood UV, pH, conductivity unit
[0611] Amersham Pharmacia chromatography controller
[0612] Packed POROS HS50 cation exchange gel
[0613] Packed Pharmacia rProtein A affinity gel
[0614] Packed POROS HQ anion exchange gel
[0615] Sterile, depyrogenated silicone tubing
[0616] Integritest Filter Integrity Tester II
[0617] Sterile Asahi Planova 20 N membrane viral removal filter
[0618] Millipore 0.2 micron Durapore filter
[0619] Millipore Multimedia filter
[0620] CUNO 60LP, 10/60 SP filter
[0621] CUNO filter housing
[0622] Class 100 hood
[0623] Purification and Formulation of the Antibodies
[0624] The purification process comprises three chromatography
steps, a nanofiltration step, a low pH treatment step, and
formulation. These steps are designed to remove host cell proteins,
DNA and cell culture components such as BSA and transferrin. In
addition, the process includes steps to control bioburden and
endotoxin and to remove and inactivate viruses.
Conditioned Medium
Steps 1 to 6
[0625] Conditioned medium from a single cell culture lot or pooled
from multiple cell culture lots is purified as a single lot. The
combination of multiple cell culture lots into one purification lot
is performed in order to utilize downstream processing steps sized
for a single lot size and to decrease the number of purification
lots. For example, because the working volumes of 130 L and 250 L
cell culture bioreactors are approximately 100 L and 200 L,
respectively, these two cell culture lots could be pooled and run
as one 300 L purification lot. Process product samples are analyzed
for DNA using a PicoGreen or a quantitative PCR assay to detect
DNA. Protein concentration is determined either by a Protein A
bindable HPLC assay or by UV absorbance at 280 nm.
Product-containing process streams are monitored for endotoxin and
bioburden. Column effluents are monitored for endotoxin. A
description of each step is summarized below.
Conditioned Medium Adjustment and Filtration
Step 7
[0626] The conditioned medium is adjusted to pH 4.6.+-.0.2 with 0.1
M citric acid. The adjusted conditioned medium is then filtered
using a CUNO filter in-line with a Millipore 0.2 micron Durapore
filter.
Cation Exchange Chromatography Step
Step 8
[0627] The adjusted and filtered conditioned medium is loaded onto
a cation exchange column that has been equilibrated with 10 mM
sodium phosphate, 80 mM sodium chloride, pH 4.6. The bound antibody
is washed using the same buffer. The column is then washed with 25
mM sodium phosphate pH 6.5 to remove process impurities, especially
BSA. The product is eluted using 20 mM Tris-HCl buffer, 40 mM NaCl,
pH 7.5. Following elution of the product, the column is cleaned
with 1.0 N NaOH and stored in 0.1 N NaOH at room temperature.
rProtein A Chromatograph
Step 9
[0628] The cation exchange product is loaded directly onto a
rProtein A column equilibrated with 20 mM Tris-HCl buffer, 40 mM
NaCl, pH 7.5. Following loading, the column is washed with the
equilibration buffer, and the product is eluted with 50 mM glycine,
30 mM NaCl, pH 3.2. The rProtein A product is neutralized to pH
6.5.+-.0.2 with 1.0 M Tris base. This chromatography step removes
additional process-related impurities. At the end of the step, the
column is washed with equilibration buffer, cleaned with 0.1 N
NaOH, washed with equilibration buffer and stored in 20% (v/v)
ethanol at room temperature.
Anion Exchange Chromatography
Step 10
[0629] This chromatographic step is the final step designed to
remove any trace levels of process-related impurities. The column
is equilibrated with 0.5 M sodium phosphate, pH 6.5 followed by
equilibration with 5 mM sodium phosphate, 40 mM sodium chloride, pH
6.5. Under these conditions, the neutralized rProtein A product is
loaded onto the equilibrated anion exchange column, and under these
conditions, the product is recovered in the non-bound fraction and
the process-related impurities are retained in the column. The
column is cleaned with 1.0 N NaOH and stored in 0.1 N NaOH at room
temperature.
Nanofiltration
Step 11
[0630] The anion exchange product is filtered through a sterile
Planova.TM. 20 N membrane (pore size=20 nm) that is prepared by
flushing first with WFI and then with 5 mM sodium phosphate, 40 mM
sodium chloride pH 6.5. After the product is filtered, the filter
is chased with a small volume of 5 mM sodium phosphate, 40 mM
sodium chloride, pH 6.5 to maximize product recovery. After
filtration the nanofilter is integrity tested.
Low pH Treatment
Step 12
[0631] The pH of the nanofiltered product is adjusted to 3.4.+-.0.1
with 50 mM glycine, pH 2.35 and held at this pH for 30.+-.10
minutes. After low pH treatment, the product pH is adjusted to
6.5.+-.0.2 with 1.0 M Tris base.
6.3 Interaction of IL-9 Antibodies with RHUIL9
[0632] The interaction of soluble 7F3com-2H2 and MH9A3 (both in an
IgG and Fab form) with immobilized rhuIL9 was monitored by surface
plasmon resonance detection using a BIAcore 3000 instrument
(Pharmacia Biosensor, Uppsala, Sweden). rhuIL9 was coupled to the
dextran matrix of a CM5 sensor chip (Pharmacia Biosensor) using an
Amine Coupling Kit at a surface density of between 100 and 200 RU.
7F3com-2H2 was diluted in 0.01 M HPES pH 7.4 containing 0.15 M
NaCl, 3 mM EDTA and 0.005% P20. All subsequent dilutions were made
in the same buffer. All binding experiments were performed at
25.degree. C. with concentrations ranging from 0.19 nM to 100 nM at
a flow rate of 75 .mu.L/min; data were collected for approximately
35 minutes and three 1-minute pulses of 30 mM HCl were used to
regenerate the surfaces. Antibodies were also flowed over an
uncoated cell and the sensorgrams from these blank runs subtracted
from those obtained with rhuIL-9 coupled chips. Data were fitted to
a 1:1 Langmuir binding model. The algorithm calculates both the kon
and the koff, from which the apparent equilibrium dissociation
constant, K.sub.D, is deduced as the ratio of the two rate
constants (k.sub.off/k.sub.on). These values obtained are indicated
in Table 6 below:
TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Molecule k.sub.on (M.sup.-1s.sup.-1)
k.sub.off (s.sup.-1) K.sub.D (pM) 7F3com-2H2 Fab 1.68 .times.
10.sup.5 3.62 .times. 10.sup.-5 215 7F3com-2H2 IgG 4.76 .times.
10.sup.5 2.65 .times. 10.sup.-6 6 MH9A3 Fab 2.89 .times. 10.sup.5
1.80 .times. 10.sup.-4 623 MH9A3 IgG 3.02 .times. 10.sup.5 8.94
.times. 10.sup.-6 30
7. EQUIVALENTS
[0633] Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to
ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many
equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described
herein. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the
following claims.
[0634] All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned
in this specification are herein incorporated by reference into the
specification to the same extent as if each individual publication,
patent or patent application was specifically and individually
indicated to be incorporated herein by reference.
Sequence CWU 1
1
65110PRTArtificial sequenceVH CDR1 1Gly Tyr Thr Phe Thr Gly Tyr Trp
Ile Glu 1 5 10217PRTArtificial SequenceVH CDR2 2Glu Ile Leu Pro Gly
Ser Gly Thr Thr Asn Pro Asn Glu Lys Phe Lys 1 5 10
15Gly313PRTArtificial SequenceVH CDR3 3Ala Asp Tyr Tyr Gly Ser Asp
Tyr Val Lys Phe Asp Tyr 1 5 10411PRTArtificial SequenceVL CDR1 4Lys
Ala Ser Gln His Val Gly Thr His Val Thr 1 5 1057PRTArtificial
SequenceVL CDR2 5Ser Thr Ser Tyr Arg Tyr Ser 1 569PRTArtificial
SequenceVL CDR3 6Gln His Phe Tyr Ser Tyr Pro Leu Thr 1
57122PRTArtificial SequenceVH domain of antibody 4D4 7Gln Val Gln
Leu Val Gln Ser Gly Ala Glu Val Lys Lys Pro Gly Ala 1 5 10 15Ser
Val Lys Val Ser Cys Lys Ala Ser Gly Tyr Thr Phe Thr Gly Tyr 20 25
30Trp Ile Glu Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Gln Gly Leu Glu Trp Met
35 40 45Gly Glu Ile Leu Pro Gly Ser Gly Thr Thr Asn Tyr Asn Glu Lys
Phe 50 55 60Lys Gly Arg Val Thr Met Thr Arg Asp Thr Ser Thr Ser Thr
Val Tyr65 70 75 80Met Glu Leu Ser Ser Leu Arg Ser Glu Asp Thr Ala
Val Tyr Tyr Cys 85 90 95Ala Arg Ala Asp Tyr Tyr Gly Ser Asp Tyr Val
Lys Phe Asp Tyr Trp 100 105 110Gly Gln Gly Thr Leu Val Thr Val Ser
Ser 115 1208107PRTArtificial SequenceVL domain of antibody 4D4 and
4D4 H2-1 D11 8Asp Ile Gln Met Thr Gln Ser Pro Ser Ser Leu Ser Ala
Ser Val Gly 1 5 10 15Asp Arg Val Thr Ile Thr Cys Lys Ala Ser Gln
His Val Gly Thr His 20 25 30Val Thr Trp Tyr Gln Gln Lys Pro Gly Lys
Ala Pro Lys Leu Leu Ile 35 40 45Tyr Ser Thr Ser Tyr Arg Tyr Ser Gly
Val Pro Ser Arg Phe Ser Gly 50 55 60Ser Gly Ser Gly Thr Asp Phe Thr
Leu Thr Ile Ser Ser Leu Gln Pro65 70 75 80Glu Asp Phe Ala Thr Tyr
Tyr Cys Gln His Phe Tyr Ser Tyr Pro Leu 85 90 95Thr Phe Gly Gly Gly
Thr Lys Val Glu Ile Lys 100 1059122PRTArtificial SequenceVH domain
of antibody 4D4 H2-1 D11 9Gln Val Gln Leu Val Gln Ser Gly Ala Glu
Val Lys Lys Pro Gly Ala 1 5 10 15Ser Val Lys Val Ser Cys Lys Ala
Ser Gly Tyr Thr Phe Thr Gly Tyr 20 25 30Trp Ile Glu Trp Val Arg Gln
Ala Pro Gly Gln Gly Leu Glu Trp Met 35 40 45Gly Glu Trp Leu Pro Gly
Ser Gly Thr Thr Asn Tyr Asn Glu Lys Phe 50 55 60Lys Gly Arg Val Thr
Met Thr Arg Asp Thr Ser Thr Ser Thr Val Tyr65 70 75 80Met Glu Leu
Ser Ser Leu Arg Ser Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr Tyr Cys 85 90 95Ala Arg
Ala Asp Tyr Tyr Gly Ser Asp Tyr Val Lys Phe Asp Tyr Trp 100 105
110Gly Gln Gly Thr Leu Val Thr Val Ser Ser 115 1201017PRTArtificial
SequenceVH CDR2 10Glu Trp Leu Pro Gly Ser Gly Thr Thr Asn Tyr Asn
Glu Lys Phe Lys 1 5 10 15Gly1110PRTArtificial SequenceVH CDR1 11Gly
Tyr Thr Phe Thr Tyr Tyr Trp Ile Glu 1 5 101213PRTArtificial
SequenceVH CDR3 12Ala Asp Tyr Tyr Gly Ser Asp His Val Lys Phe Asp
Tyr 1 5 101311PRTArtificial SequenceVL CDR1 13Leu Ala Ser Gln His
Val Gly Thr His Val Thr 1 5 10147PRTArtificial SequenceVL CDR2
14Gly Thr Ser Tyr Arg Tyr Ser 1 515122PRTArtificial SequenceVH
domain of antibody 4D4com-XF-9 15Gln Val Gln Leu Val Gln Ser Gly
Ala Glu Val Lys Lys Pro Gly Ala 1 5 10 15Ser Val Lys Val Ser Cys
Lys Ala Ser Gly Tyr Thr Phe Thr Tyr Tyr 20 25 30Trp Ile Glu Trp Val
Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Gln Gly Leu Glu Trp Met 35 40 45Gly Glu Trp Leu
Pro Gly Ser Gly Thr Thr Asn Tyr Asn Glu Lys Phe 50 55 60Lys Gly Arg
Val Thr Met Thr Arg Asp Thr Ser Thr Ser Thr Val Tyr65 70 75 80Met
Glu Leu Ser Ser Leu Arg Ser Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr Tyr Cys 85 90
95Ala Arg Ala Asp Tyr Tyr Gly Ser Asp His Val Lys Phe Asp Tyr Trp
100 105 110Gly Gln Gly Thr Leu Val Thr Val Ser Ser 115
12016107PRTArtificial SequenceVL domain of antibody 4D4com-XF-9
16Asp Ile Gln Met Thr Gln Ser Pro Ser Ser Leu Ser Ala Ser Val Gly 1
5 10 15Asp Arg Val Thr Ile Thr Cys Leu Ala Ser Gln His Val Gly Thr
His 20 25 30Val Thr Trp Tyr Gln Gln Lys Pro Gly Lys Ala Pro Lys Leu
Leu Ile 35 40 45Tyr Gly Thr Ser Tyr Arg Tyr Ser Gly Val Pro Ser Arg
Phe Ser Gly 50 55 60Ser Gly Ser Gly Thr Asp Phe Thr Leu Thr Ile Ser
Ser Leu Gln Pro65 70 75 80Glu Asp Phe Ala Thr Tyr Tyr Cys Gln His
Phe Tyr Asp Tyr Pro Leu 85 90 95Thr Phe Gly Gly Gly Thr Lys Val Glu
Ile Lys 100 10517122PRTArtificial SequenceVH domain of antibody
4D4com-2F9 17Gln Val Gln Leu Val Gln Ser Gly Ala Glu Val Lys Lys
Pro Gly Ala 1 5 10 15Ser Val Lys Val Ser Cys Lys Ala Ser Gly Tyr
Thr Phe Thr Gly Tyr 20 25 30Trp Ile Glu Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly
Gln Gly Leu Glu Trp Met 35 40 45Gly Glu Trp Leu Pro Gly Ser Gly Thr
Thr Asn Tyr Asn Glu Lys Phe 50 55 60Lys Gly Arg Val Thr Met Thr Arg
Asp Thr Ser Thr Ser Thr Val Tyr65 70 75 80Met Glu Leu Ser Ser Leu
Arg Ser Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr Tyr Cys 85 90 95Ala Arg Ala Asp Tyr
Tyr Gly Ser Asp His Val Lys Phe Asp Tyr Trp 100 105 110Gly Gln Gly
Thr Leu Val Thr Val Ser Ser 115 12018107PRTArtificial SequenceVL
domain of antibody 4D4com-2F9 18Asp Ile Gln Met Thr Gln Ser Pro Ser
Ser Leu Ser Ala Ser Val Gly 1 5 10 15Asp Arg Val Thr Ile Thr Cys
Lys Ala Ser Gln His Val Gly Thr His 20 25 30Val Thr Trp Tyr Gln Gln
Lys Pro Gly Lys Ala Pro Lys Leu Leu Ile 35 40 45Tyr Gly Thr Ser Tyr
Arg Tyr Ser Gly Val Pro Ser Arg Phe Ser Gly 50 55 60Ser Gly Ser Gly
Thr Asp Phe Thr Leu Thr Ile Ser Ser Leu Gln Pro65 70 75 80Glu Asp
Phe Ala Thr Tyr Tyr Cys Gln His Phe Tyr Glu Tyr Pro Leu 85 90 95Thr
Phe Gly Gly Gly Thr Lys Val Glu Ile Lys 100 1051910PRTArtificial
SequenceVH CDR1 19Gly Gly Thr Phe Ser Gly Tyr Trp Ile Glu 1 5
10209PRTArtificial SequenceVL CDR3 20Gln Gln Phe Tyr Glu Tyr Pro
Leu Thr 1 521122PRTArtificial SequenceVH domain of antibody 7F3 and
7F3 22D3 21Gln Val Gln Leu Val Gln Ser Gly Ala Glu Val Lys Lys Pro
Gly Ser 1 5 10 15Ser Val Lys Val Ser Cys Lys Ala Ser Gly Gly Thr
Phe Ser Gly Tyr 20 25 30Trp Ile Glu Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Gln
Gly Leu Glu Trp Met 35 40 45Gly Glu Ile Leu Pro Gly Ser Gly Thr Thr
Asn Tyr Asn Glu Lys Phe 50 55 60Lys Gly Arg Val Thr Ile Thr Ala Asp
Glu Ser Thr Ser Thr Ala Tyr65 70 75 80Met Glu Leu Ser Ser Leu Arg
Ser Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr Tyr Cys 85 90 95Ala Arg Ala Asp Tyr Tyr
Gly Ser Asp Tyr Val Lys Phe Asp Tyr Trp 100 105 110Gly Gln Gly Thr
Leu Val Thr Val Ser Ser 115 12022107PRTArtificial SequenceVL domain
of antibody 7F3 22Asp Ile Gln Met Thr Gln Ser Pro Ser Ser Leu Ser
Ala Ser Val Gly 1 5 10 15Asp Arg Val Thr Ile Thr Cys Lys Ala Ser
Gln His Val Gly Thr His 20 25 30Val Thr Trp Tyr Gln Gln Lys Pro Gly
Lys Ala Pro Lys Leu Leu Ile 35 40 45Tyr Ser Thr Ser Tyr Arg Tyr Ser
Gly Val Pro Ser Arg Phe Ser Gly 50 55 60Ser Gly Ser Gly Thr Asp Phe
Thr Leu Thr Ile Ser Ser Leu Gln Pro65 70 75 80Glu Asp Phe Ala Thr
Tyr Tyr Cys Gln Gln Phe Tyr Glu Tyr Pro Leu 85 90 95Thr Phe Gly Gly
Gly Thr Lys Val Glu Ile Lys 100 10523122PRTArtificial SequenceVH
domain of antibody 71A10 23Gln Val Gln Leu Val Gln Ser Gly Ala Glu
Val Lys Lys Pro Gly Ser 1 5 10 15Ser Val Lys Val Ser Cys Lys Ala
Ser Gly Gly Thr Phe Ser Gly Tyr 20 25 30Trp Ile Glu Trp Val Arg Gln
Ala Pro Gly Gln Gly Leu Glu Trp Met 35 40 45Gly Glu Ile Leu Pro Gly
Ser Gly Thr Thr Asn Pro Asn Glu Lys Phe 50 55 60Lys Gly Arg Val Thr
Ile Thr Ala Asp Glu Ser Thr Ser Thr Ala Tyr65 70 75 80Met Glu Leu
Ser Ser Leu Arg Ser Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr Tyr Cys 85 90 95Ala Arg
Ala Asp Tyr Tyr Gly Ser Asp Tyr Val Lys Phe Asp Tyr Trp 100 105
110Gly Gln Gly Thr Leu Val Thr Val Ser Ser 115
12024107PRTArtificial SequenceVL domain of antibody 71A10 24Asp Ile
Gln Met Thr Gln Ser Pro Ser Ser Leu Ser Ala Ser Val Gly 1 5 10
15Asp Arg Val Thr Ile Thr Cys Lys Ala Ser Gln His Val Gly Thr His
20 25 30Val Thr Trp Tyr Gln Gln Lys Pro Gly Lys Ala Pro Lys Leu Leu
Ile 35 40 45Tyr Ser Thr Ser Tyr Arg Tyr Ser Gly Val Pro Ser Arg Phe
Ser Gly 50 55 60Ser Gly Ser Gly Thr Asp Phe Thr Leu Thr Ile Ser Ser
Leu Gln Pro65 70 75 80Glu Asp Phe Ala Thr Tyr Tyr Cys Gln Gln Phe
Tyr Glu Tyr Pro Leu 85 90 95Thr Phe Gly Gly Gly Thr Lys Val Glu Ile
Lys 100 10525107PRTArtificial SequenceVL domain of antibody 7F3
22D3 25Asp Ile Gln Met Thr Gln Ser Pro Ser Ser Leu Ser Ala Ser Val
Gly 1 5 10 15Asp Arg Val Thr Ile Thr Cys Lys Ala Ser Gln His Val
Gly Thr His 20 25 30Val Thr Trp Tyr Gln Gln Lys Pro Gly Lys Ala Pro
Lys Leu Leu Ile 35 40 45Tyr Gly Thr Ser Tyr Arg Tyr Ser Gly Val Pro
Ser Arg Phe Ser Gly 50 55 60Ser Gly Ser Gly Thr Asp Phe Thr Leu Thr
Ile Ser Ser Leu Gln Pro65 70 75 80Glu Asp Phe Ala Thr Tyr Tyr Cys
Gln Gln Phe Tyr Glu Tyr Pro Leu 85 90 95Thr Phe Gly Gly Gly Thr Lys
Val Glu Ile Lys 100 1052610PRTArtificial SequenceVH CDR1 26Gly Gly
Thr Phe Ser Tyr Tyr Trp Ile Glu 1 5 1027122PRTArtificial SequenceVH
domain of antibody 7F3com-2H2 27Gln Val Gln Leu Val Gln Ser Gly Ala
Glu Val Lys Lys Pro Gly Ser 1 5 10 15Ser Val Lys Val Ser Cys Lys
Ala Ser Gly Gly Thr Phe Ser Tyr Tyr 20 25 30Trp Ile Glu Trp Val Arg
Gln Ala Pro Gly Gln Gly Leu Glu Trp Met 35 40 45Gly Glu Ile Leu Pro
Gly Ser Gly Thr Thr Asn Pro Asn Glu Lys Phe 50 55 60Lys Gly Arg Val
Thr Ile Thr Ala Asp Glu Ser Thr Ser Thr Ala Tyr65 70 75 80Met Glu
Leu Ser Ser Leu Arg Ser Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr Tyr Cys 85 90 95Ala
Arg Ala Asp Tyr Tyr Gly Ser Asp Tyr Val Lys Phe Asp Tyr Trp 100 105
110Gly Gln Gly Thr Leu Val Thr Val Ser Ser 115
12028107PRTArtificial SequenceVL domain of antibody 7F3com-2H2
28Asp Ile Gln Met Thr Gln Ser Pro Ser Ser Leu Ser Ala Ser Val Gly 1
5 10 15Asp Arg Val Thr Ile Thr Cys Lys Ala Ser Gln His Val Ile Thr
His 20 25 30Val Thr Trp Tyr Gln Gln Lys Pro Gly Lys Ala Pro Lys Leu
Leu Ile 35 40 45Tyr Gly Thr Ser Tyr Ser Tyr Ser Gly Val Pro Ser Arg
Phe Ser Gly 50 55 60Ser Gly Ser Gly Thr Asp Phe Thr Leu Thr Ile Ser
Ser Leu Gln Pro65 70 75 80Glu Asp Phe Ala Thr Tyr Tyr Cys Gln Gln
Phe Tyr Glu Tyr Pro Leu 85 90 95Thr Phe Gly Gly Gly Thr Lys Val Glu
Ile Lys 100 10529122PRTArtificial SequenceVH domain of antibody
7F3com-3H5 29Gln Val Gln Leu Val Gln Ser Gly Ala Glu Val Lys Lys
Pro Gly Ser 1 5 10 15Ser Val Lys Val Ser Cys Lys Ala Ser Gly Gly
Thr Phe Ser Gly Tyr 20 25 30Trp Ile Glu Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly
Gln Gly Leu Glu Trp Met 35 40 45Gly Glu Ile Leu Pro Gly Ser Gly Thr
Thr Asn Pro Asn Glu Lys Phe 50 55 60Lys Gly Arg Val Thr Ile Thr Ala
Asp Glu Ser Thr Ser Thr Ala Tyr65 70 75 80Met Glu Leu Ser Ser Leu
Arg Ser Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr Tyr Cys 85 90 95Ala Arg Ala Asp Tyr
Tyr Gly Ser Asp Tyr Val Lys Phe Asp Tyr Trp 100 105 110Gly Gln Gly
Thr Leu Val Thr Val Ser Ser 115 12030107PRTArtificial SequenceVL
domain of antibody 7F3com-3H5 30Asp Ile Gln Met Thr Gln Ser Pro Ser
Ser Leu Ser Ala Ser Val Gly 1 5 10 15Asp Arg Val Thr Ile Thr Cys
Lys Ala Ser Gln His Val Gly Thr His 20 25 30Val Thr Trp Tyr Gln Gln
Lys Pro Gly Lys Ala Pro Lys Leu Leu Ile 35 40 45Tyr Gly Thr Ser Tyr
Arg Tyr Ser Gly Val Pro Ser Arg Phe Ser Gly 50 55 60Ser Gly Ser Gly
Thr Asp Phe Thr Leu Thr Ile Ser Ser Leu Gln Pro65 70 75 80Glu Asp
Phe Ala Thr Tyr Tyr Cys Gln Gln Phe Tyr Glu Tyr Pro Leu 85 90 95Thr
Phe Gly Gly Gly Thr Lys Val Glu Ile Lys 100 10531122PRTArtificial
SequenceVH domain of antibody 7F3com-3D4 31Gln Val Gln Leu Val Gln
Ser Gly Ala Glu Val Lys Lys Pro Gly Ser 1 5 10 15Ser Val Lys Val
Ser Cys Lys Ala Ser Gly Gly Thr Phe Ser Tyr Tyr 20 25 30Trp Ile Glu
Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Gln Gly Leu Glu Trp Met 35 40 45Gly Glu
Ile Leu Pro Gly Ser Gly Thr Thr Asn Pro Asn Glu Lys Phe 50 55 60Lys
Gly Arg Val Thr Ile Thr Ala Asp Glu Ser Thr Ser Thr Ala Tyr65 70 75
80Met Glu Leu Ser Ser Leu Arg Ser Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr Tyr Cys
85 90 95Ala Arg Ala Asp Tyr Tyr Gly Ser Asp Tyr Val Lys Phe Asp Tyr
Trp 100 105 110Gly Gln Gly Thr Leu Val Thr Val Ser Ser 115
12032107PRTArtificial SequenceVL domain of antibody 7F3com-3D4
32Asp Ile Gln Met Thr Gln Ser Pro Ser Ser Leu Ser Ala Ser Val Gly 1
5 10 15Asp Arg Val Thr Ile Thr Cys Lys Ala Ser Gln His Val Ile Thr
His 20 25 30Val Thr Trp Tyr Gln Gln Lys Pro Gly Lys Ala Pro Lys Leu
Leu Ile 35 40 45Tyr Gly Thr Ser Tyr Arg Tyr Ser Gly Val Pro Ser Arg
Phe Ser Gly 50 55 60Ser Gly Ser Gly Thr Asp Phe Thr Leu Thr Ile Ser
Ser Leu Gln Pro65 70 75 80Glu Asp Phe Ala Thr Tyr Tyr Cys Gln Gln
Phe Tyr Glu Tyr Pro Leu 85 90 95Thr Phe Gly Gly Gly Thr Lys Val Glu
Ile Lys 100 1053325PRTArtificial SequenceVH framework region 1
33Gln Val Gln Leu Val Gln Ser Gly Ala Glu Val Lys Lys Pro Gly Ala 1
5 10 15Ser Val Lys Val Ser Cys Lys Ala Ser 20 253414PRTArtificial
SequenceVH framework region 2 34Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Gln Gly
Leu Glu Trp Met Gly 1 5
103532PRTArtificial SequenceVH framework region 3 35Arg Val Thr Met
Thr Arg Asp Thr Ser Thr Ser Thr Val Tyr Met Glu 1 5 10 15Leu Ser
Ser Leu Arg Ser Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr Tyr Cys Ala Arg 20 25
303611PRTArtificial SequenceVH framework region 4 36Trp Gly Gln Gly
Thr Leu Val Thr Val Ser Ser 1 5 103725PRTArtificial SequenceVH
framework region 1 37Gln Val Gln Leu Val Gln Ser Gly Ala Glu Val
Lys Lys Pro Gly Ser 1 5 10 15Ser Val Lys Val Ser Cys Lys Ala Ser 20
253832PRTArtificial SequenceVH framework region 3 38Arg Val Thr Ile
Thr Ala Asp Glu Ser Thr Ser Thr Ala Tyr Met Glu 1 5 10 15Leu Ser
Ser Leu Arg Ser Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr Tyr Cys Ala Arg 20 25
303923PRTArtificial SequenceVL framework region 1 39Asp Ile Gln Met
Thr Gln Ser Pro Ser Ser Leu Ser Ala Ser Val Gly 1 5 10 15Asp Arg
Val Thr Ile Thr Cys 204015PRTArtificial SequenceVH framework region
2 40Trp Tyr Gln Gln Lys Pro Gly Lys Ala Pro Lys Leu Leu Ile Tyr 1 5
10 154132PRTArtificial SequenceVH framework region 3 41Gly Val Pro
Ser Arg Phe Ser Gly Ser Gly Ser Gly Thr Asp Phe Thr 1 5 10 15Leu
Thr Ile Ser Ser Leu Gln Pro Glu Asp Phe Ala Thr Tyr Tyr Cys 20 25
304210PRTArtificial SequenceVH framework region 4 42Phe Gly Gly Gly
Thr Lys Val Glu Ile Lys 1 5 1043591DNAArtificial SequenceVH domain
of 7F3com-2H2 43ccgctgtcaa gatgcttctg gccatggtcc ttacctctgc
cctgctcctg tgctccgtgg 60caggccaggg gtgtccaacc ttggcgggga tcctggacat
caacttcctc atcaacaaga 120tgcaggaaga tccagcttcc aagtgccact
gcagtgctaa tgtgaccagt tgtctctgtt 180tgggcattcc ctctgacaac
tgcaccagac catgcttcag tgagagactg tctcagatga 240ccaataccac
catgcaaaca agatacccac tgattttcag tcgggtgaaa aaatcagttg
300aagtactaaa gaacaacaag tgtccatatt tttcctgtga acagccatgc
aaccaaacca 360cggcaggcaa cgcgctgaca tttctgaaga gtcttctgga
aattttccag aaagaaaaga 420tgagagggat gagaggcaag atatgaagat
gaaatattat ttatcctatt tattaaattt 480aaaaagcttt ctctttaagt
tgctacaatt taaaaatcaa gtaagctact ctaaatcagt 540atcagttgtg
attatttgtt taacattgta tgtctttatt ttgaaataaa t 5914430DNAArtificial
SequenceVH CDR1 44ggaggcacct tcagctatta ctggatagag
304551DNAArtificial SequenceVH CDR2 45gagattttac ctggaagtgg
tactactaac ccgaatgaga agttcaaggg c 514639DNAArtificial SequenceVH
CDR3 46gcggattact acggtagtga ttacgtcaag tttgactac
3947321DNAArtificial SequenceVL domain of 7F3com-2H2 47gacatccaga
tgacccagtc tccatcctcc ctgtctgcat ctgtaggaga cagagtcacc 60atcacttgca
aggcaagtca gcatgtgatt actcatgtaa cctggtatca gcagaaacca
120gggaaagccc ctaagctcct gatctatggg acatcctaca gctacagtgg
ggtcccatca 180aggttcagtg gcagtggatc tgggacagat ttcactctca
ccatcagcag tctgcaacct 240gaagattttg caacttatta ctgtcagcaa
ttttacgagt atcctctcac gttcggcgga 300gggaccaagg tggagatcaa a
3214833DNAArtificial SequenceVL CDR1 48aaggcaagtc agcatgtgat
tactcatgta acc 334915DNAArtificial SequenceVL CDR2 49gggacatcct
acagc 155027DNAArtificial SequenceVL CDR3 50cagcaatttt acgagtatcc
tctcacg 2751591DNAHomo sapiens 51ccgctgtcaa gatgcttctg gccatggtcc
ttacctctgc cctgctcctg tgctccgtgg 60caggccaggg gtgtccaacc ttggcgggga
tcctggacat caacttcctc atcaacaaga 120tgcaggaaga tccagcttcc
aagtgccact gcagtgctaa tgtgaccagt tgtctctgtt 180tgggcattcc
ctctgacaac tgcaccagac catgcttcag tgagagactg tctcagatga
240ccaataccac catgcaaaca agatacccac tgattttcag tcgggtgaaa
aaatcagttg 300aagtactaaa gaacaacaag tgtccatatt tttcctgtga
acagccatgc aaccaaacca 360cggcaggcaa cgcgctgaca tttctgaaga
gtcttctgga aattttccag aaagaaaaga 420tgagagggat gagaggcaag
atatgaagat gaaatattat ttatcctatt tattaaattt 480aaaaagcttt
ctctttaagt tgctacaatt taaaaatcaa gtaagctact ctaaatcagt
540atcagttgtg attatttgtt taacattgta tgtctttatt ttgaaataaa t
59152144PRTHomo sapiens 52Met Leu Leu Ala Met Val Leu Thr Ser Ala
Leu Leu Leu Cys Ser Val 1 5 10 15Ala Gly Gln Gly Cys Pro Thr Leu
Ala Gly Ile Leu Asp Ile Asn Phe 20 25 30Leu Ile Asn Lys Met Gln Glu
Asp Pro Ala Ser Lys Cys His Cys Ser 35 40 45Ala Asn Val Thr Ser Cys
Leu Cys Leu Gly Ile Pro Ser Asp Asn Cys 50 55 60Thr Arg Pro Cys Phe
Ser Glu Arg Leu Ser Gln Met Thr Asn Thr Thr65 70 75 80Met Gln Thr
Arg Tyr Pro Leu Ile Phe Ser Arg Val Lys Lys Ser Val 85 90 95Glu Val
Leu Lys Asn Asn Lys Cys Pro Tyr Phe Ser Cys Glu Gln Pro 100 105
110Cys Asn Gln Thr Thr Ala Gly Asn Ala Leu Thr Phe Leu Lys Ser Leu
115 120 125Leu Glu Ile Phe Gln Lys Glu Lys Met Arg Gly Met Arg Gly
Lys Ile 130 135 14053808PRTHomo sapiens 53Met Ala Glu Leu Leu Ala
Ser Ala Gly Ser Ala Cys Ser Trp Asp Phe 1 5 10 15Pro Arg Ala Pro
Pro Ser Phe Pro Pro Pro Ala Ala Ser Arg Gly Gly 20 25 30Leu Gly Gly
Thr Arg Ser Phe Arg Pro His Arg Gly Ala Glu Ser Pro 35 40 45Arg Pro
Gly Arg Asp Arg Asp Gly Val Arg Val Pro Met Ala Ser Ser 50 55 60Arg
Cys Pro Ala Pro Arg Gly Cys Arg Cys Leu Pro Gly Ala Ser Leu65 70 75
80Ala Trp Leu Gly Thr Val Leu Leu Leu Leu Ala Asp Trp Val Leu Leu
85 90 95Arg Thr Ala Leu Pro Arg Ile Phe Ser Leu Leu Val Pro Thr Ala
Leu 100 105 110Pro Leu Leu Arg Val Trp Ala Val Gly Leu Ser Arg Trp
Ala Val Leu 115 120 125Trp Leu Gly Ala Cys Gly Val Leu Arg Ala Thr
Val Gly Ser Lys Ser 130 135 140Glu Asn Ala Gly Ala Gln Gly Trp Leu
Ala Ala Leu Lys Pro Leu Ala145 150 155 160Ala Ala Leu Gly Leu Ala
Leu Pro Gly Leu Ala Leu Phe Arg Glu Leu 165 170 175Ile Ser Trp Gly
Ala Pro Gly Ser Ala Asp Ser Thr Arg Leu Leu His 180 185 190Trp Gly
Ser His Pro Thr Ala Phe Val Val Ser Tyr Ala Ala Ala Leu 195 200
205Pro Ala Ala Ala Leu Trp His Lys Leu Gly Ser Leu Trp Val Pro Gly
210 215 220Gly Gln Gly Gly Ser Gly Asn Pro Val Arg Arg Leu Leu Gly
Cys Leu225 230 235 240Gly Ser Glu Thr Arg Arg Leu Ser Leu Phe Leu
Val Leu Val Val Leu 245 250 255Ser Ser Leu Gly Glu Met Ala Ile Pro
Phe Phe Thr Gly Arg Leu Thr 260 265 270Asp Trp Ile Leu Gln Asp Gly
Ser Ala Asp Thr Phe Thr Arg Asn Leu 275 280 285Thr Leu Met Ser Ile
Leu Thr Ile Ala Ser Ala Val Leu Glu Phe Val 290 295 300Gly Asp Gly
Ile Tyr Asn Asn Thr Met Gly His Val His Ser His Leu305 310 315
320Gln Gly Glu Val Phe Gly Ala Val Leu Arg Gln Glu Thr Glu Phe Phe
325 330 335Gln Gln Asn Gln Thr Gly Asn Ile Met Ser Arg Val Thr Glu
Asp Thr 340 345 350Ser Thr Leu Ser Asp Ser Leu Ser Glu Asn Leu Ser
Leu Phe Leu Trp 355 360 365Tyr Leu Val Arg Gly Leu Cys Leu Leu Gly
Ile Met Leu Trp Gly Ser 370 375 380Val Ser Leu Thr Met Val Thr Leu
Ile Thr Leu Pro Leu Leu Phe Leu385 390 395 400Leu Pro Lys Lys Val
Gly Lys Trp Tyr Gln Leu Leu Glu Val Gln Val 405 410 415Arg Glu Ser
Leu Ala Lys Ser Ser Gln Val Ala Ile Glu Ala Leu Ser 420 425 430Ala
Met Pro Thr Val Arg Ser Phe Ala Asn Glu Glu Gly Glu Ala Gln 435 440
445Lys Phe Arg Glu Lys Leu Gln Glu Ile Lys Thr Leu Asn Gln Lys Glu
450 455 460Ala Val Ala Tyr Ala Val Asn Ser Trp Thr Thr Ser Ile Ser
Gly Met465 470 475 480Leu Leu Lys Val Gly Ile Leu Tyr Ile Gly Gly
Gln Leu Val Thr Ser 485 490 495Gly Ala Val Ser Ser Gly Asn Leu Val
Thr Phe Val Leu Tyr Gln Met 500 505 510Gln Phe Thr Gln Ala Val Glu
Val Leu Leu Ser Ile Tyr Pro Arg Val 515 520 525Gln Lys Ala Val Gly
Ser Ser Glu Lys Ile Phe Glu Tyr Leu Asp Arg 530 535 540Thr Pro Arg
Cys Pro Pro Ser Gly Leu Leu Thr Pro Leu His Leu Glu545 550 555
560Gly Leu Val Gln Phe Gln Asp Val Ser Phe Ala Tyr Pro Asn Arg Pro
565 570 575Asp Val Leu Val Leu Gln Gly Leu Thr Phe Thr Leu Arg Pro
Gly Glu 580 585 590Val Thr Ala Leu Val Gly Pro Asn Gly Ser Gly Lys
Ser Thr Val Ala 595 600 605Ala Leu Leu Gln Asn Leu Tyr Gln Pro Thr
Gly Gly Gln Leu Leu Leu 610 615 620Asp Gly Lys Pro Leu Pro Gln Tyr
Glu His Arg Tyr Leu His Arg Gln625 630 635 640Val Ala Ala Val Gly
Gln Glu Pro Gln Val Phe Gly Arg Ser Leu Gln 645 650 655Glu Asn Ile
Ala Tyr Gly Leu Thr Gln Lys Pro Thr Met Glu Glu Ile 660 665 670Thr
Ala Ala Ala Val Lys Ser Gly Ala His Ser Phe Ile Ser Gly Leu 675 680
685Pro Gln Gly Tyr Asp Thr Glu Val Asp Glu Ala Gly Ser Gln Leu Ser
690 695 700Gly Gly Gln Arg Gln Ala Val Ala Leu Ala Arg Ala Leu Ile
Arg Lys705 710 715 720Pro Cys Val Leu Ile Leu Asp Asp Ala Thr Ser
Ala Leu Asp Ala Asn 725 730 735Ser Gln Leu Gln Val Glu Gln Leu Leu
Tyr Glu Ser Pro Glu Arg Tyr 740 745 750Ser Arg Ser Val Leu Leu Ile
Thr Gln His Leu Ser Leu Val Glu Gln 755 760 765Ala Asp His Ile Leu
Phe Leu Glu Gly Gly Ala Ile Arg Glu Gly Gly 770 775 780Thr His Gln
Gln Leu Met Glu Lys Lys Gly Cys Tyr Trp Ala Met Val785 790 795
800Gln Ala Pro Ala Asp Ala Pro Glu 80554140PRTHomo sapiens 54Met
Val Leu Thr Ser Ala Leu Leu Leu Cys Ser Val Ala Gly Gln Gly 1 5 10
15Cys Pro Thr Leu Ala Gly Ile Leu Asp Ile Asn Phe Leu Ile Asn Lys
20 25 30Met Gln Glu Asp Pro Ala Ser Lys Cys His Cys Ser Ala Asn Val
Thr 35 40 45Ser Cys Leu Cys Leu Gly Ile Pro Ser Asp Asn Cys Thr Arg
Pro Cys 50 55 60Phe Ser Glu Arg Leu Ser Gln Met Thr Asn Thr Thr Met
Gln Thr Arg65 70 75 80Tyr Pro Leu Ile Phe Ser Arg Val Lys Lys Ser
Val Glu Val Leu Lys 85 90 95Asn Asn Lys Cys Pro Tyr Phe Ser Cys Glu
Gln Pro Cys Asn Gln Thr 100 105 110Thr Ala Gly Asn Ala Leu Thr Phe
Leu Lys Ser Leu Leu Glu Ile Phe 115 120 125Gln Lys Glu Lys Met Arg
Gly Met Arg Gly Lys Ile 130 135 140552171DNAHomo sapiens
55agcagctctg taatgcgctt gtggtttcag atgtgggcgg cctgtgtgaa cctgtcgtgc
60aaagctcacg tcaccaactg ctgcagttat ctcctgaatc aggctgaggg tctttgctgt
120gcacccagag atagttgggt gacaaatcac ctccaggttg gggatgcctc
agacttgtga 180tgggactggg cagatgcatc tgggaaggct ggaccttgga
gagtgaggcc ctgaggcgag 240acatgggcac ctggctcctg gcctgcatct
gcatctgcac ctgtgtctgc ttgggagtct 300ctgtcacagg ggaaggacaa
gggccaaggt ctagaacctt cacctgcctc accaacaaca 360ttctcaggat
cgattgccac tggtctgccc cagagctggg acagggctcc agcccctggc
420tcctcttcac cagcaaccag gctcctggcg gcacacataa gtgcatcttg
cggggcagtg 480agtgcaccgt cgtgctgcca cctgaggcag tgctcgtgcc
atctgacaat ttcaccatca 540ctttccacca ctgcatgtct gggagggagc
aggtcagcct ggtggacccg gagtacctgc 600cccggagaca cgttaagctg
gacccgccct ctgacttgca gagcaacatc agttctggcc 660actgcatcct
gacctggagc atcagtcctg ccttggagcc aatgaccaca cttctcagct
720atgagctggc cttcaagaag caggaagagg cctgggagca ggcccagcac
agggatcaca 780ttgtcggggt gacctggctt atacttgaag cctttgagct
ggaccctggc tttatccatg 840aggccaggct gcgtgtccag atggccacac
tggaggatga tgtggtagag gaggagcgtt 900atacaggcca gtggagtgag
tggagccagc ctgtgtgctt ccaggctccc cagagacaag 960gccctctgat
cccaccctgg gggtggccag gcaacaccct tgttgctgtg tccatctttc
1020tcctgctgac tggcccgacc tacctcctgt tcaagctgtc gcccagggtg
aagagaatct 1080tctaccagaa cgtgccctct ccagcgatgt tcttccagcc
cctctacagt gtacacaatg 1140ggaacttcca gacttggatg ggggcccacg
gggccggtgt gctgttgagc caggactgtg 1200ctggcacccc acagggagcc
ttggagccct gcgtccagga ggccactgca ctgctcactt 1260gtggcccagc
gcgtccttgg aaatctgtgg ccctggagga ggaacaggag ggccctggga
1320ccaggctccc ggggaacctg agctcagagg atgtgctgcc agcagggtgt
acggagtgga 1380gggtacagac gcttgcctat ctgccacagg aggactgggc
ccccacgtcc ctgactaggc 1440cggctccccc agactcagag ggcagcagga
gcagcagcag cagcagcagc agcaacaaca 1500acaactactg tgccttgggc
tgctatgggg gatggcacct ctcagccctc ccaggaaaca 1560cacagagctc
tgggcccatc ccagccctgg cctgtggcct ttcttgtgac catcagggcc
1620tggagaccca gcaaggagtt gcctgggtgc tggctggtca ctgccagagg
cctgggctgc 1680atgaggacct ccagggcatg ttgctccctt ctgtcctcag
caaggctcgg tcctggacat 1740tctaggtccc tgactcgcca gatgcatcat
gtccattttg ggaaaatgga ctgaagtttc 1800tggagccctt gtctgagact
gaacctcctg agaaggggcc cctagcagcg gtcagaggtc 1860ctgtctggat
ggaggctgga ggctcccccc tcaacccctc tgctcagtgc ctgtggggag
1920cagcctctac cctcagcatc ctggccacaa gttcttcctt ccattgtccc
ttttctttat 1980ccctgacctc tctgagaagt ggggtgtggt ctctcagctg
ttctgccctc atacccttaa 2040agggccagcc tgggcccagt ggacacaggt
aaggcaccat gaccacctgg tgtgacctct 2100ctgtgcctta ctgaggcacc
tttctagaga ttaaaagggg cttgatggct gttaaaaaaa 2160aaaaaaaaaa a
2171562175DNAHomo sapiens 56agcagctctg taatgcgctt gtggtttcag
atgtgggcgg cctgtgtgaa cctgtcgtgc 60aaagctcacg tcaccaactg ctgcagttat
ctcctgaatc aggctgaggg tctttgctgt 120gcacccagag atagttgggt
gacaaatcac ctccaggttg gggatgcctc agacttgtga 180tgggactggg
cagatgcatc tgggaagtaa ctgctgcaag aacggacaga cactgctgca
240gagaacttgc cacggtgttt catgctgtgg ctggtggttc caggctgcac
gctccattct 300aggaaagggg ccctcagccc agtcccttgc aggctggacc
ttggagagtg aggccctgag 360gcgagacatg ggcacctggc tcctggcctg
catctgcatc tgcacctgtg tctgcttggg 420agtctctgtc acaggggaag
gacaagggcc aaggtctaga accttcacct gcctcaccaa 480caacattctc
aggatcgatt gccactggtc tgccccagag ctgggacagg gctccagccc
540ctggctcctc ttcaccaggc tcctggcggc acacataagt gcatcttgcg
gggcagtgag 600tgcaccgtcg tgctgccacc tgaggcagtg ctcgtgccat
ctgacaattt caccatcact 660ttccaccact gcatgtctgg gagggagcag
gtcagcctgg tggacccgga gtacctgccc 720cggagacacg agcaacatca
gttctggcca ctgcatcctg acctggagca tcagtcctgc 780cttggagcca
atgaccacac ttctcagcta tgagctggcc ttcaagaagc aggaagaggc
840ctgggagcag gcccagcaca gggatcacat tgtcggggtg acctggctta
tacttgaagc 900ctttgagctg gaccctggct ttatccatga ggccaggctg
cgtgtccaga tggccacact 960ggaggatgat gtggtagagg aggagcgtta
tacaggccag tggagtgagt ggagccagcc 1020tgtgtgcttc caggctcccc
agagacaagg ccctctgatc ccaccctggg ggtggccagg 1080caacaccctt
gttgctgtgt ccatctttct cctgctgact ggcccgacct acctcctgtt
1140caagctgtcg cccagacttg gatgggggcc cacggggccg gtgtgctgtt
gagccaggac 1200tgtgctggca ccccacaggg agccttggag ccctgcgtcc
aggaggccac tgcactgctc 1260acttgtggcc cagcgcgtcc ttggaaatct
gtggccctgg aggaggaaca ggagggccct 1320gggaccaggc tcccggggaa
cctgagctca gaggatgtgc tgccagcagg gtgtacggag 1380tggagggtac
agacgcttgc ctatctgcca caggaggact gggcccccac gtccctgact
1440aggccggctc ccccagactc agagggcagc aggagcagca gcagcagcag
cagcagcaac 1500aacaacaact actgtgcctt gggctgctat gggggatggc
acctctcagc cctcccagga 1560aacacacaga gctctgggcc catcccagcc
ctggcctgtg gcctttcttg tgaccatcag 1620ggcctggaga cccagcaagg
agttgcctgg gtgctggctg gtcactgcca gaggcctggg 1680ctgcatgagg
acctccaggg catgttgctc ccttctgtcc tcagcaaggc tcggtcctgg
1740acattctagg tccctgactc gccagatgca tcatgtccat tttgggaaaa
tggactgaag 1800tttctggagc ccttgtctga gactgaacct cctgagaagg
ggcccctagc agcggtcaga 1860ggtcctgtct ggatggaggc tggaggctcc
cccctcaacc cctctgctca gtgcctgtgg 1920ggagcagcct ctaccctcag
catcctggcc acaagttctt ccttccattg tcccttttct 1980ttatccctga
cctctctgag aagtggggtg tggtctctca gctgttctgc cctcataccc
2040ttaaagggcc agcctgggcc cagtggacac aggtaaggca ccatgaccac
ctggtgtgac 2100ctctctgtgc cttactgagg cacctttcta gagattaaaa
ggggcttgat ggctgttaaa 2160aaaaaaaaaa aaaaa 2175571451DNAHomo
sapiens 57gaagagcaag cgccatgttg aagccatcat taccattcac atccctctta
ttcctgcagc 60tgcccctgct gggagtgggg ctgaacacga caattctgac gcccaatggg
aatgaagaca 120ccacagctga tttcttcctg accactatgc ccactgactc
cctcagtgtt tccactctgc 180ccctcccaga
ggttcagtgt tttgtgttca atgtcgagta catgaattgc acttggaaca
240gcagctctga gccccagcct accaacctca ctctgcatta ttggtacaag
aactcggata 300atgataaagt ccagaagtgc agccactatc tattctctga
agaaatcact tctggctgtc 360agttgcaaaa aaaggagatc cacctctacc
aaacatttgt tgttcagctc caggacccac 420gggaacccag gagacaggcc
acacagatgc taaaactgca gaatctggtg atcccctggg 480ctccagagaa
cctaacactt cacaaactga gtgaatccca gctagaactg aactggaaca
540acagattctt gaaccactgt ttggagcact tggtgcagta ccggactgac
tgggaccaca 600gctggactga acaatcagtg gattatagac ataagttctc
cttgcctagt gtggatgggc 660agaaacgcta cacgtttcgt gttcggagcc
gctttaaccc actctgtgga agtgctcagc 720attggagtga atggagccac
ccaatccact gggggagcaa tacttcaaaa gagaatcctt 780tcctgtttgc
attggaagcc gtggttatct ctgttggctc catgggattg attatcagcc
840ttctctgtgt gtatttctgg ctggaacgga cgatgccccg aattcccacc
ctgaagaacc 900tagaggatct tgttactgaa taccacggga acttttcggc
ctggagtggt gtgtctaagg 960gactggctga gagtctgcag ccagactaca
gtgaacgact ctgcctcgtc agtgagattc 1020ccccaaaagg aggggccctt
ggggaggggc ctggggcctc cccatgcaac cagcatagcc 1080cctactgggc
ccccccatgt tacaccctaa agcctgaaac ctgaacccca atcctctgac
1140agaagaaccc cagggtcctg tagccctaag tggtactaac tttccttcat
tcaacccacc 1200tgcgtctcat actcacctca ccccactgtg gctgatttgg
aattttgtgc ccccatgtaa 1260gcaccccttc atttggcatt ccccacttga
gaattaccct tttgccccga acatgttttt 1320cttctccctc agtctggccc
ttccttttcg caggattctt cctccctccc tctttccctc 1380ccttcctctt
tccatctacc ctccgattgt tcctgaaccg atgagaaata aagtttctgt
1440tgataatcat c 145158521PRTHomo sapiens 58Met Gly Leu Gly Arg Cys
Ile Trp Glu Gly Trp Thr Leu Glu Ser Glu 1 5 10 15Ala Leu Arg Arg
Asp Met Gly Thr Trp Leu Leu Ala Cys Ile Cys Ile 20 25 30Cys Thr Cys
Val Cys Leu Gly Val Ser Val Thr Gly Glu Gly Gln Gly 35 40 45Pro Arg
Ser Arg Thr Phe Thr Cys Leu Thr Asn Asn Ile Leu Arg Ile 50 55 60Asp
Cys His Trp Ser Ala Pro Glu Leu Gly Gln Gly Ser Ser Pro Trp65 70 75
80Leu Leu Phe Thr Ser Asn Gln Ala Pro Gly Gly Thr His Lys Cys Ile
85 90 95Leu Arg Gly Ser Glu Cys Thr Val Val Leu Pro Pro Glu Ala Val
Leu 100 105 110Val Pro Ser Asp Asn Phe Thr Ile Thr Phe His His Cys
Met Ser Gly 115 120 125Arg Glu Gln Val Ser Leu Val Asp Pro Glu Tyr
Leu Pro Arg Arg His 130 135 140Val Lys Leu Asp Pro Pro Ser Asp Leu
Gln Ser Asn Ile Ser Ser Gly145 150 155 160His Cys Ile Leu Thr Trp
Ser Ile Ser Pro Ala Leu Glu Pro Met Thr 165 170 175Thr Leu Leu Ser
Tyr Glu Leu Ala Phe Lys Lys Gln Glu Glu Ala Trp 180 185 190Glu Gln
Ala Gln His Arg Asp His Ile Val Gly Val Thr Trp Leu Ile 195 200
205Leu Glu Ala Phe Glu Leu Asp Pro Gly Phe Ile His Glu Ala Arg Leu
210 215 220Arg Val Gln Met Ala Thr Leu Glu Asp Asp Val Val Glu Glu
Glu Arg225 230 235 240Tyr Thr Gly Gln Trp Ser Glu Trp Ser Gln Pro
Val Cys Phe Gln Ala 245 250 255Pro Gln Arg Gln Gly Pro Leu Ile Pro
Pro Trp Gly Trp Pro Gly Asn 260 265 270Thr Leu Val Ala Val Ser Ile
Phe Leu Leu Leu Thr Gly Pro Thr Tyr 275 280 285Leu Leu Phe Lys Leu
Ser Pro Arg Val Lys Arg Ile Phe Tyr Gln Asn 290 295 300Val Pro Ser
Pro Ala Met Phe Phe Gln Pro Leu Tyr Ser Val His Asn305 310 315
320Gly Asn Phe Gln Thr Trp Met Gly Ala His Gly Ala Gly Val Leu Leu
325 330 335Ser Gln Asp Cys Ala Gly Thr Pro Gln Gly Ala Leu Glu Pro
Cys Val 340 345 350Gln Glu Ala Thr Ala Leu Leu Thr Cys Gly Pro Ala
Arg Pro Trp Lys 355 360 365Ser Val Ala Leu Glu Glu Glu Gln Glu Gly
Pro Gly Thr Arg Leu Pro 370 375 380Gly Asn Leu Ser Ser Glu Asp Val
Leu Pro Ala Gly Cys Thr Glu Trp385 390 395 400Arg Val Gln Thr Leu
Ala Tyr Leu Pro Gln Glu Asp Trp Ala Pro Thr 405 410 415Ser Leu Thr
Arg Pro Ala Pro Pro Asp Ser Glu Gly Ser Arg Ser Ser 420 425 430Ser
Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Asn Asn Asn Asn Tyr Cys Ala Leu Gly Cys 435 440
445Tyr Gly Gly Trp His Leu Ser Ala Leu Pro Gly Asn Thr Gln Ser Ser
450 455 460Gly Pro Ile Pro Ala Leu Ala Cys Gly Leu Ser Cys Asp His
Gln Gly465 470 475 480Leu Glu Thr Gln Gln Gly Val Ala Trp Val Leu
Ala Gly His Cys Gln 485 490 495Arg Pro Gly Leu His Glu Asp Leu Gln
Gly Met Leu Leu Pro Ser Val 500 505 510Leu Ser Lys Ala Arg Ser Trp
Thr Phe 515 52059332PRTHomo sapiens 59Met His Leu Gly Ser Asn Cys
Cys Lys Asn Gly Gln Thr Leu Leu Gln 1 5 10 15Arg Thr Cys His Gly
Val Ser Cys Cys Gly Trp Trp Phe Gln Ala Ala 20 25 30Arg Ser Ile Leu
Gly Lys Gly Pro Ser Ala Gln Ser Leu Ala Gly Trp 35 40 45Thr Leu Glu
Ser Glu Ala Leu Arg Arg Asp Met Gly Thr Trp Leu Leu 50 55 60Ala Cys
Ile Cys Ile Cys Thr Cys Val Cys Leu Gly Val Ser Val Thr65 70 75
80Gly Glu Gly Gln Gly Pro Arg Ser Arg Thr Phe Thr Cys Leu Thr Asn
85 90 95Asn Ile Leu Arg Ile Asp Cys His Trp Ser Ala Pro Glu Leu Gly
Gln 100 105 110Gly Ser Ser Pro Trp Leu Leu Phe Thr Arg Leu Leu Ala
Ala His Ile 115 120 125Ser Ala Ser Cys Gly Ala Val Ser Ala Pro Ser
Cys Cys His Leu Arg 130 135 140Gln Cys Ser Cys His Leu Thr Ile Ser
Pro Ser Leu Ser Thr Thr Ala145 150 155 160Cys Leu Gly Gly Ser Arg
Ser Ala Trp Trp Thr Arg Ser Thr Cys Pro 165 170 175Gly Asp Thr Ser
Asn Ile Ser Ser Gly His Cys Ile Leu Thr Trp Ser 180 185 190Ile Ser
Pro Ala Leu Glu Pro Met Thr Thr Leu Leu Ser Tyr Glu Leu 195 200
205Ala Phe Lys Lys Gln Glu Glu Ala Trp Glu Gln Ala Gln His Arg Asp
210 215 220His Ile Val Gly Val Thr Trp Leu Ile Leu Glu Ala Phe Glu
Leu Asp225 230 235 240Pro Gly Phe Ile His Glu Ala Arg Leu Arg Val
Gln Met Ala Thr Leu 245 250 255Glu Asp Asp Val Val Glu Glu Glu Arg
Tyr Thr Gly Gln Trp Ser Glu 260 265 270Trp Ser Gln Pro Val Cys Phe
Gln Ala Pro Gln Arg Gln Gly Pro Leu 275 280 285Ile Pro Pro Trp Gly
Trp Pro Gly Asn Thr Leu Val Ala Val Ser Ile 290 295 300Phe Leu Leu
Leu Thr Gly Pro Thr Tyr Leu Leu Phe Lys Leu Ser Pro305 310 315
320Arg Leu Gly Trp Gly Pro Thr Gly Pro Val Cys Cys 325
33060369PRTHomo sapiens 60Met Leu Lys Pro Ser Leu Pro Phe Thr Ser
Leu Leu Phe Leu Gln Leu 1 5 10 15Pro Leu Leu Gly Val Gly Leu Asn
Thr Thr Ile Leu Thr Pro Asn Gly 20 25 30Asn Glu Asp Thr Thr Ala Asp
Phe Phe Leu Thr Thr Met Pro Thr Asp 35 40 45Ser Leu Ser Val Ser Thr
Leu Pro Leu Pro Glu Val Gln Cys Phe Val 50 55 60Phe Asn Val Glu Tyr
Met Asn Cys Thr Trp Asn Ser Ser Ser Glu Pro65 70 75 80Gln Pro Thr
Asn Leu Thr Leu His Tyr Trp Tyr Lys Asn Ser Asp Asn 85 90 95Asp Lys
Val Gln Lys Cys Ser His Tyr Leu Phe Ser Glu Glu Ile Thr 100 105
110Ser Gly Cys Gln Leu Gln Lys Lys Glu Ile His Leu Tyr Gln Thr Phe
115 120 125Val Val Gln Leu Gln Asp Pro Arg Glu Pro Arg Arg Gln Ala
Thr Gln 130 135 140Met Leu Lys Leu Gln Asn Leu Val Ile Pro Trp Ala
Pro Glu Asn Leu145 150 155 160Thr Leu His Lys Leu Ser Glu Ser Gln
Leu Glu Leu Asn Trp Asn Asn 165 170 175Arg Phe Leu Asn His Cys Leu
Glu His Leu Val Gln Tyr Arg Thr Asp 180 185 190Trp Asp His Ser Trp
Thr Glu Gln Ser Val Asp Tyr Arg His Lys Phe 195 200 205Ser Leu Pro
Ser Val Asp Gly Gln Lys Arg Tyr Thr Phe Arg Val Arg 210 215 220Ser
Arg Phe Asn Pro Leu Cys Gly Ser Ala Gln His Trp Ser Glu Trp225 230
235 240Ser His Pro Ile His Trp Gly Ser Asn Thr Ser Lys Glu Asn Pro
Phe 245 250 255Leu Phe Ala Leu Glu Ala Val Val Ile Ser Val Gly Ser
Met Gly Leu 260 265 270Ile Ile Ser Leu Leu Cys Val Tyr Phe Trp Leu
Glu Arg Thr Met Pro 275 280 285Arg Ile Pro Thr Leu Lys Asn Leu Glu
Asp Leu Val Thr Glu Tyr His 290 295 300Gly Asn Phe Ser Ala Trp Ser
Gly Val Ser Lys Gly Leu Ala Glu Ser305 310 315 320Leu Gln Pro Asp
Tyr Ser Glu Arg Leu Cys Leu Val Ser Glu Ile Pro 325 330 335Pro Lys
Gly Gly Ala Leu Gly Glu Gly Pro Gly Ala Ser Pro Cys Asn 340 345
350Gln His Ser Pro Tyr Trp Ala Pro Pro Cys Tyr Thr Leu Lys Pro Glu
355 360 365Thr6117PRTArtificial SequenceVH CDR2 61Glu Ile Leu Pro
Gly Ser Gly Thr Thr Asn Tyr Asn Glu Lys Phe Lys 1 5 10
15Gly6211PRTArtificial SequenceVL CDR1 62Lys Ala Ser Gln His Val
Ile Thr His Val Thr 1 5 10639PRTArtificial SequenceVL CDR3 63Gln
His Phe Tyr Asp Tyr Pro Leu Thr 1 5649PRTArtificial SequenceVL CDR3
64Gln His Phe Tyr Glu Tyr Pro Leu Thr 1 5657PRTArtificial
SequenceVL CDR2 65Gly Thr Ser Tyr Ser Tyr Ser 1 5
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