Use of High-dose Oxazaphosphorine Drugs in Combination with Monoclonal Antibodies for Treating Immune Disorders
(Set) Autoimmune diseases afflict more than 8 million people in the U.S alone. Autoimmunity usually occurs when lymphocytes, which are designed to defend the body against infections and foreign agents, start attacking one or more of the body's tissues or organs. The conventional treatment for many autoimmune diseases includes the systemic use of anti-inflammatory drugs and potent immunomodulatory agents, such as steroids and inhibitors of inflammatory cytokines, and in certain circumstances, cyclophosphamide. However, the effectiveness of current therapies is limited due to immune tolerance. Therefore, there is a need to identify agents or therapies that can be used for breaking immune tolerance in patients and thereby facilitate the use of less toxic therapies for the treatment of immune disorders. An invention by JHU researchers introduces a new method of treating autoimmune disorders by breaking immune tolerance. The method entails using a lymphocytotoxic but hematopoeitic cell sparing high-dose pulsed amount of an oxazaphosphorine drug in combination with immune therapeutics. Description (Set) Proposed Use (Set) The invention disclosed may be used for breaking immune tolerance in patients with autoimmune disease. It can be used in combination therapy to enhance the effectiveness of any given therapy for the treatment of autoimmune disorders.Inventor(s): Brodsky, Robert A.
Type of Offer: Licensing
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