Methods for diagnosis using anti-cytokine receptor antibodies

• US 20060039857A1
• Filed: 07/20/2005
• Published: 02/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Early Detection, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Early Detection, Inc.
• Inventors: Adcock, Deborah Kay
• Granted Patent: US 7,727,528 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/1.490
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 51/08 Peptides, e.g. proteins , carriers being peptides, polyamino acids, proteins
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 51/1021 against cytokines, e.g. growth factors, VEGF, TNF, lymphokines or interferons
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 51/1033 against receptors for cytokines, lymphokines or interferons

Abstract

Labeled antibodies, antibody fragments or peptides binding to soluble cytokines or cytokine receptors are used to diagnose whether a patient has cancer or an autoimmune disease. In a preferred embodiment, a radiolabelled tag that is chemically bound to a peptide, antibody, or antibody fragment specific for sTNFR-1 and/or sTNFR2 is injected into a patient with a tumor, or suspected tumor, or with any disease associated with STNF-1/STNF-2. The patient is then imaged using standard nuclear imaging equipment to detect areas or sites of concentration of the radiolabel and/or receptor/inhibitor and/or antigen. By screening for cancer by the substances it produces, using an injected antibody to that substance with a tracer attached to it, one can detect cancer at a very early stage, potentially even microscopically.

Claims

1. A method for diagnosing inflammation or cancer comprising administering to a patient an effective amount of a labeled antibody or labeled binding ligand to a cytokine or cytokine receptor and imaging the patient to detect bound antibody or labeled binding ligand.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the antibody or labeled binding ligand is humanized monoclonal antiobodies.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the cytokine is selected from the group consisting of soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor (“

sTNF-R”

), soluble interleukin-2 receptor (“

sIL-2R”

), soluble interleukin-1 receptor (“

sIL-1R”

), soluble interleukin-6 receptor (“

sIL-6R”

), soluble interferon-gamma receptor (“

sIFN-gammaR”

), and soluble interleukin-12 (IL-12R).

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the antibodies are labeled with a label selected from the group consisting of I¹²⁵, I¹²³ and I¹³¹.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the patient has cancer.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the patient has an autoimmune disease.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the patient has a chronic or acute infectious disease.

8. A kit comprising an effective dosage amount of labeled humanized monoclonal antibodies or labeled binding ligand to a cytokine or cytokine receptor to image cancer or inflammation in a patient, in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for intravenous administration.

9. The kit of claim 8 further comprising unlabelled antibodies or ligands for use as controls.

10. The kit of claim 8 further comprising directions in a package insert.