METHOD AND COMPOSITION FOR INDUCING
MONOCYTE CYTOTOXICITY

 

Introduction:  A new cytokine molecule, referred to as Monocyte Cytotoxicity Factor (MCF), has been shown to activate monocytes for tumor cell lysis. University researchers have developed a line of T-cell hybridomas produce MCFs capable of inducing potent tumor cytotoxicity and high levels of interleukin 1 (1). Nona-peptides corresponding to the N-terminus of MCF have been developed. These synthetic peptides were found to interact with specific high affinity saturable cellular binding sites and activate macrophages for cytotoxicity (2). Therapeutic uses of MCF include the treatment of blood forming organ cancers such as leukemia, or solid tumors by way of direct IV infusion of pharmaceutical compositions that include MCF or in combination with other therapeutic agents such as interleukin II, interferon or Cytoxan. Use in other therapeutic modalities includes adoptive immunotherapy or the ex vivo activation of a patient's mononuclear cells for reinfusion into the patient. As a diagnostic, MCF can be useful in detecting T-cell and other malignancies by determining the levels of MCF or the presence of MCF antibodies in blood.

Publications :   

1) Jones, C.M., Prince, C.A., Williams, J.S., Purification and amino acid analysis of a human macrophage cytoxicity-inducing factor (MCF). Experimental Hematology (1991) 19: 704-709.

2) Jones, C.M., Reyes, C.J., Cook, R.G., Synthetic macrophage activating peptides. (1993).

NON-CONFIDENTIAL TECHNOLOGY DESCRIPTION

The preceding is intended to be a non-confidential summary of a novel technology created at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

UTHSCH Ref. No. 1990-0005

Inventors: Dr. Michael Jones

Patent Status: United States Issued Patent Nos. 4,977,245; 5,112,948; 5,286,482; 5,292,642; 5,434,247; 6,265,214 B1

License Available: world-wide; exclusive or non-exclusive

 

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