B-glucans encapsulated in liposomes

• US 20020146448A1
• Filed: 05/09/2000
• Published: 10/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ajinomoto Co., Inc., MCP Hahnemann University (Drexel University)
• Original Assignee: Ajinomoto Co., Inc., MCP Hahnemann University (Drexel University)
• Inventors: Kaneko, Yutaro, Kozbor, Danuta
• Granted Patent: US 7,011,845 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/450
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2039/55555 Liposomes; Vesicles, e.g. nanoparticles; Spheres, e.g. nanospheres; Polymers
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 39/39 characterised by the immunostimulating additives, e.g. chemical adjuvants
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/127 Liposomes
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 31/18 for HIV
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 35/00 Antineoplastic agents

Abstract

Liposomes encapsulating a β-glucan have an improved activity of enhancing a cellular immunity, especially when they are transmucosally administered. Thus, the liposomes are useful for the treatment or prevention of infection or tumor.

Claims

1. Liposomes encapsulating a β

-glucan for the transmucosal administration in an effective amount for enhancing a cellular immunity to a subject in need of said enhancement.

2. Liposomes as claimed in claim 1 wherein the β

-glucan is selected from lentinan and curdlan.

3. Liposomes as claimed in claim 1 wherein the subject in need of the enhancement of cellular immunity is a human having infection or tumor.

4. Liposomes as claimed in claim 1 wherein the subject in need of the enhancement of cellular immunity is a human infected with a human immunodeficiency virus.

5. Liposomes as claimed in claim 1 which are transmucosally administered before or after a vaccination or simultaneously with the vaccination.

6. Liposomes as claimed in claim 1 wherein the transmucosal administration is selected from sublingual, intranasal, enteromucosal, inhalation, and transrectal administrations and by suppositories.

7. Liposomes as claimed in claim 6 wherein the enteromucosal administration is oral administration.

8. A pharmaceutical composition for the transmucosal administration to a subject in need of the enhancement of a cellular immunity comprising liposomes encapsulating a β

-glucan in an effective amount for said enhancement.

9. A pharmaceutical composition as claimed in claim 8 wherein the β

-glucan is selected from lentinan and curdlan.

10. A composition as claimed in claim 8 wherein the subject in need of the enhancement of a cellular immunity is a human having infection or tumor.

11. A composition as claimed in claim 8 wherein the subject in need of the enhancement of a cellular immunity is a human infected with a human immunodeficiency virus.

12. A composition as claimed in claim 8 which is transmucosally administered before or after a vaccination or simultaneously with the vaccination.

13. A composition as claimed in claim 8 wherein the transmucosal administration is selected from sublingual, intranasal, enteromucosal, inhalation, and transrectal administrations and by suppositories.

14. A composition as claimed in claim 13 wherein the enteromucosal administration is oral administration.

15. A method for enhancing cellular immunity comprising transmucosally administering liposomes encapsulating a β

-glucan or a pharmaceutical composition containing said liposomes in an effective amount for said enhancement to a subject in need of said enhancement.

16. A method for the treatment or prevention of infection or tumor which comprises transmucosally administering liposomes encapsulating a β

-glucan or a pharmaceutical composition containing said liposomes in an effective amount for said treatment or prevention to a subject in need of said treatment or prevention.