Active/passive immunization of the internal female reproductive organs

• US 4,585,651 A
• Filed: 12/18/1980
• Issued: 04/29/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/1978
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alkermes Controlled Therapeutics Inc. II (Alkermes plc)
• Original Assignee: Stolle Research & Development Corporation
• Inventors: Cowsar, Donald R., Beck, Lee R., Tanquary, Albert C., Flowers, Charles F. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rose, Shep K.
• Application Number:
  US06/217,746
• Time in Patent Office: 1,958 Days
• Field of Search: 424/16, 424/85-92, 424/105, 424/177, 424/238-243
• US Class Current: 424/196.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/56 Compounds containing cyclopenta[a]hydrophenanthrene ring systems; Derivatives thereof, e.g. steroids
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 38/00 Medicinal preparations containing peptides peptides containing beta-lactam rings A61K31/00; cyclic dipeptides not having in their molecule any other peptide link than those which form their ring, e.g. piperazine-2,5-diones, A61K31/00; ergot alkaloids of the cyclic peptide type A61K31/48; containing macromolecular compounds having statistically distributed amino acid units A61K31/74; medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies A61K39/00; medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients, e.g. peptides as drug carriers, A61K47/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 39/00 Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies materials for immunoassay G01N33/53
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0036 Devices retained in the vagina or cervix for a prolonged period, e.g. intravaginal rings, medicated tampons, medicated diaphragms
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/1617 Organic compounds, e.g. phospholipids, fats
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/1647 Polyesters, e.g. poly(lactide-co-glycolide)
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 16/00 Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies antibodies with enzymatic activity, e.g. abzymes C12N9/0002
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 11/04 entrapped within the carrier, e.g. gel or hollow fibres

Abstract

Antibody or antigen containing microparticles for the active or passive immunization of the internal female reproductive organs, comprising: microparticles of an antigen or antibody incorporated in a matrix material which is biocompatible and biologically degradable, said microparticles capable of being transported after deposition in the vagina by the natural transport mechanism of the internal female reproductive organs across the cervix into the uterus.

Claims

1. A method of actively eliciting an immunization response of the internal female reproductive organs, comprising:

depositing microparticles containing an antigen in the vagina; and

allowing the natural transport mechanism of said organs to convey said microparticles across the cervix into the uterus and fallopian tubes, whereby said antigen is released by said microparticles so as to elicit an antibody response within the uterus.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said microparticles are of a size ranging from 20 to 70 μ

m.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said matrix material is polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid or mixtures thereof.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said antigen is of bacterial or viral origin.