Immunological Methods of Treating Cancer

Abstract

A drug, affecting the hyperactivated immunologic effector cells, comprising (I) a Ca-antagonist and (II) an agent, reducing the intracellular cAMP/cGMP-ratio, is being described. In addition, a drug, affecting the hyperactivated immunologic effector cells, consisting of (I) an agent, eliminating the hyperactivated effector cells and (II) alloreactive cells with predetermined cell death, is being described.

1 - 15 . (canceled)  
   
   
       16 . A method of treating cancer in a subject, comprising 
 a) administering to the subject an agent eliminating tumor-protecting suppressor T cells;    b) making fusion cells by fusing tumor cells of a subject with MHC II-positive cells in vitro;    c) pre-programming the fusion cells to die; and    d) administering the fusion cells to the subject, whereby administering the agent and the fusion cells to the subject treats cancer.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the agent comprises an antibody against CD8 and/or CD3.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the MHC II-positive cells are selected from the group consisting of autologous MHC II-positive cells and allogeneic MHC II-positive cells.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising administering to the subject inactivated peripheral blood lymphocytes derived from a donor of the MHC II-positive cells.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising administering to the subject a fusion cell derived from a tumor cell of the subject and an allogeneic MHC II-positive cell of the same cell type as the tumor cell.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the subject has leukemia and wherein the fusion cell consists of a lymphocyte from the subject and an allogeneic lymphocyte.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the allogeneic MHC II-positive cell has a pre-programmed cell death and is selected from the group consisting of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and T cells.  
   
   
       23 . A method of treating cancer in a subject, comprising administering to the subject an agent eliminating tumor-protecting suppressor T cells and a fusion cell having a pre-determined cell death comprising a tumor cell from the subject and a MHC II-positive cell, whereby administering the agent and the fusion cell to the subject treats cancer.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the agent comprises an antibody against CD8 and/or CD3.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the MHC II-cell is homologous.