Btnl9 and ermap as novel inhibitors of the immune system for immunotherapies

Abstract

Provided are methods of treating a tumor in a subject with a BTNL9-binding antibody. Also provided are methods of treating a tumor in a subject with an ERMAP-binding antibody. A fusion protein comprising a BTNL9 or ERMAP and related compositions and encoding nucleic acids are also provided.

1 . A method of treating a tumor in a subject comprising administering to the subject an amount of a BTNL9-binding antibody, or BTNL9-binding fragment thereof, sufficient to inhibit a BTNL9 and treat the tumor. 
     
     
         2 . A method of treating a tumor in a subject comprising administering to the subject an amount of a ERMAP-binding antibody, or ERMAP-binding fragment thereof, sufficient to inhibit a ERMAP and treat the tumor. 
     
     
         3 . A method of treating a tumor in a subject comprising administering to the subject an amount of a BTNL2-binding antibody, or BTNL2-binding fragment thereof, sufficient to inhibit a BTNL2 and treat the tumor. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the BTNL9 is a human BTNL9. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the ERMAP is a human ERMAP. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the BTNL2 is a human BTNL2. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tumor is a tumor of a breast, lung, thyroid, melanoma, pancreas, ovary, liver, bladder, colon, prostate, kidney, esophagus, or is a hematological tumor, or wherein the tumor is a lymphoid organ tumor. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody is administered as an adjunct to an additional anti-cancer therapy for the tumor. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the amount of a BTNL9-binding antibody is administered. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the amount of a BTNL2-binding antibody is administered. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fragment of the antibody is administered. 
     
     
         12 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The method of claim  15 , wherein the BTNL-2 comprises SEQ ID NO:4 but does not comprise SEQ ID NO:3. 
     
     
         17 . The method of claim  13 , wherein the plasma-soluble BTNL9, or the plasma-soluble ERMAP, respectively, comprises an BTNL9 fused to an immunoglobulin polypeptide, or an ERMAP fused to an immunoglobulin polypeptide, respectively. 
     
     
         18 . The method of claim  15 , wherein the plasma-soluble BTNL2 comprises an BTNL2 fused to an immunoglobulin polypeptide. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the immunoglobulin polypeptide comprises an Fc portion of an immunoglobulin G. 
     
     
         20 - 26 . (canceled)