Diagnosis of macrophage mediated disease

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of treating or monitoring/diagnosing a disease state mediated by activated macrophages. The method comprises the step of administering to a patient suffering from a macrophage mediated disease state an effective amount of a composition comprising a conjugate or complex of the general formula A b -X where the group A b comprises a ligand capable of binding to activated macrophages, and when the conjugate is being used for treatment of the disease state, the group X comprises an immunogen, a cytotoxin, or a compound capable of altering macrophage function, and when the conjugate is being used for monitoring/diagnosing the disease state, X comprises an imaging agent. The method is useful for treating a patient suffering from a disease selected from the group consisting of rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, inflammation, infections, osteomyelitis, atherosclerosis, organ transplant rejection, pulmonary fibrosis, sarcoidosis, and systemic sclerosis.

1 - 19 . (canceled)  
     
     
         20 . A method of monitoring/diagnosing a disease state mediated by activated macrophages, said method comprising the step of administering to a patient suffering from the macrophage mediated disease state an effective amount of a composition comprising a conjugate or complex of the general formula  
         A b -X  
       wherein the group A b  comprises a folate receptor binding ligand capable of binding to the activated macrophages and the group X comprises an imaging agent.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the group X further comprises a liposome.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the imaging agent comprises a metal chelating moiety.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the imaging agent further comprises a metal cation.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the metal cation is a radionuclide.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the metal cation is a nuclear magnetic resonance imaging enhancing agent.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the patient is suffering from a disease state selected from the group consisting of rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, inflammatory lesions, infections of the skin, osteomyelitis, atherosclerosis, organ transplant rejection, pulmonary fibrosis, sarcoidosis, systemic sclerosis, and any chronic inflammation.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising the step of performing an imaging procedure about 1 hour to about 6 hours post-administration of the conjugate.