Imaging and Therapeutic Method Using Monocytes

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of treating or diagnosing a disease state mediated by monocytes. The method utilizes a composition comprising a conjugate or complex of the general formula A b -X wherein the group A b comprises a ligand that binds to monocytes, 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 monocyte function, and when the conjugate is being used for diagnosing the disease state, the group X comprises an imaging agent.

1 . A method for diagnosing a disease state mediated by monocytes, said method comprising the steps of:
 isolating monocytes from a patient suffering from a monocyte mediated disease state;   contacting the monocytes with a composition comprising a conjugate or complex of the general formula
   A b -X 
   where the group A b  comprises a ligand that binds to monocytes and the group X comprises an imaging agent; and   quantifying the percentage of monocytes that expresses a receptor for the ligand.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein A b  comprises a folate receptor binding ligand. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein A b  comprises a monocyte-binding antibody or antibody fragment. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the imaging agent comprises a metal chelating moiety. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the imaging agent further comprises a metal cation. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the metal cation is a radionuclide. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the imaging agent comprises a radionuclide. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the radionuclide is selected from the group consisting of technetium, gallium, indium, and a positron emitting radionuclide. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the imaging agent comprises a chromophore. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the chromophore comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of fluorescein, Oregon Green, rhodamine, phycoerythrin, Texas Red, and AlexaFluor 488. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the patient is suffering from a disease state selected from the group consisting of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, inflammatory lesions, infections of the skin, osteomyelitis, organ transplant rejection, pulmonary fibrosis, sarcoidosis, systemic sclerosis, lupus erythematosus, glomerulonephritis, inflammations of the skin, and any chronic inflammation. 
   
   
       12 . A method for treating a disease state mediated by monocytes, said method comprising the steps of:
 administering to a patient suffering from a monocyte-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 that binds to monocytes and the group X comprises an immunogen, a cytotoxin, or a compound capable of altering monocyte function; and   eliminating the monocyte-mediated disease state.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein A b  comprises a folate receptor binding ligand. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein A b  comprises a monocyte-binding antibody or antibody fragment. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the group X comprises an immunogen. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the group X comprises an immunogen. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the group X comprises a cytotoxin. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the group X further comprises a liposome. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the group X comprises a cytotoxin. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the group X further comprises a liposome. 
   
   
       21 .- 27 . (canceled)