Treatment of solid cancers

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to the field of cancer including tumor therapy. More particularly, the present invention relates to the treatment of solid cancers, including solid tumors, and the prevention or reduction of cancer metastasis, by chemoablation of cancer cells by an agent which also stimulates the generation of cancer-specific T-cells, a process referred to herein as immunostimulatory chemoablation. The present invention further contemplates combination therapy comprising immunostimulatory chemoablation and one or more other therapeutic regimens, which enhance, co-operate and/or synergize with the cancer-specific T-cells induced by the chemoablation. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions for use in treating cancers.

1 .- 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a substantially pure angeloyl substituted ingenane, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, and at least one agent capable of enhancing cancer-specific T-cells and achieving a synergistic therapeutic effect in a subject having cancer, said pharmaceutical composition further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient. 
     
     
         32 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 31 , wherein the substantially pure angeloyl substituted ingenane is derived from a plant of the Euphorbiaceae family or botanical or horticultural relatives of such plants. 
     
     
         33 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 32 , wherein the substantially pure angeloyl substituted ingenane is derived from  E. peplus.    
     
     
         34 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 31 , wherein the substantially pure angeloyl substituted ingenane is synthetically produced. 
     
     
         35 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 31 , wherein the substantially pure angeloyl substituted ingenane is selected from the group consisting of ingenol-3-angelate, 20-deoxy-ingenol-3-angelate, 20-O-acetyl-ingenol-3-angelate, or derivatives thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof. 
     
     
         36 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 35 , wherein the substantially pure angeloyl substituted ingenane is ingenol-3-angelate, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof. 
     
     
         37 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 31 , wherein said pharmaceutical composition is suitable for local administration. 
     
     
         38 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 31 , wherein said agent is a cancer vaccine. 
     
     
         39 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 31 , wherein said agent is a cytokine or cocktail of cytokines. 
     
     
         40 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 39 , wherein the cytokine is IL-2, IL-7 and/or IL-15. 
     
     
         41 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 38 , wherein the cancer vaccine is a DC vaccine. 
     
     
         42 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 38 , wherein the cancer vaccine comprises a cancer vaccine containing or encoding a cancer antigen or epitope. 
     
     
         43 .- 44 . (canceled) 
     
     
         45 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a substantially pure angeloyl substituted ingenane and at least one agent capable of enhancing, or co-operating or synergizing with, cancer-specific T-cells, said pharmaceutical composition further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient.