Specific binding agents for KSHV vIL-6 That neutrallize a biological activity

• US 20070243162A1
• Filed: 05/14/2007
• Published: 10/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United States Department Of Health And Human Services
• Original Assignee: United States Department Of Health And Human Services
• Inventors: Tosato, Giovanna, Aoki, Yoshiyasu
• Granted Patent: US 7,374,756 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/85.200
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2039/505 comprising antibodies
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 31/20 for DNA viruses
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 35/00 Antineoplastic agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 37/00 Drugs for immunological or allergic disorders
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 16/085 Herpetoviridae, e.g. pseudorabies virus, Epstein-Barr virus
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 16/248 IL-6
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/705 for herpetoviridae, e.g. herpes simplex, varicella zoster
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 2563/131 the label being a member of a cognate binding pair, i.e. extends to antibodies, haptens, avidin
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2333/03 Herpetoviridae, e.g. pseudorabies virus
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2333/5412 IL-6
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2469/10 Detection of antigens from microorganism in sample from host
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2500/00 Screening for compounds of potential therapeutic value
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2500/02 Screening involving studying the effect of compounds C on the interaction between interacting molecules A and B (e.g. A = enzyme and B = substrate for A, or A = receptor and B = ligand for the receptor)
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2500/04 Screening involving studying the effect of compounds C directly on molecule A (e.g. C are potential ligands for a receptor A, or potential substrates for an enzyme A)
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2800/52 Predicting or monitoring the response to treatment, e.g. for selection of therapy based on assay results in personalised medicine; Prognosis
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/56983 Viruses
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/56994 Herpetoviridae, e.g. cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/6869 Interleukin

Abstract

A specific binding agent is provided, wherein the specific binding agent specifically binds Kaposi'"'"'s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) interleukin-6 (vIL-6), and the specific binding agent neutralizes an activity of vIL-6. In one embodiment, the specific binding agent is an antibody. Methods are provided for using a specific binding agent that binds vIL-6, and neutralizes a biological activity of vIL-6. Methods of treatment for a KSHV-associated disorder are also provided. Methods for diagnosing a KSHV-associated disorder are provided, as are kits that include a specific binding agent of the invention. A method is also provided for testing an agent for effectiveness in treating a KSHV-associated disorder. The method includes incubating the agent with a cell free system comprising a vIL-6 receptor component and vIL-6, and comparing the binding of vIL-6 and the receptor component in the presence of the agent to binding of vIL-6 to the receptor component in the absence of the agent. A decrease in the binding of vIL-6 to the receptor component in the presence of the agent indicates that the agent is effective for treating the KSHV-associated disorder.

Claims