Targets and compositions for use in decontamination, immunoprophylaxis, and post-exposure therapy against anthrax

Abstract

The present invention relates to the decontamination of anthrax spores, prophylaxis and treatment of anthrax infections and, more particularly, to compounds that act as specific inhibitors of B. anthracis germination/outgrowth-associated proteins, methods and means for making such inhibitors and their use as pharmaceuticals and/or vaccines. The invention also relates to the prophylaxis and treatment of anthrax infections and, more particularly, to vaccines and compositions that comprise B. anthracis antigens, epitopes, proteins, or nucleic acid molecules, including anthrax protective antigen, anthrax lethal factor, anthrax edema factor and anthrax proteins associated with spore germination and outgrowth, as well as methods and means for making such compositions and their use pharmaceuticals and/or vaccines.

1 - 57 . (canceled) 
     
     
         58 . A pharmaceutical dosage for intranasal administration to a mammal, comprising:
 a pharmaceutical acceptable carrier or diluent admixed with at least 10 7  pfu of a non-replicating adenovirus vector that contains and expresses a nucleic acid encoding  B. anthracis  protective antigen, wherein the dosage is configured for intranasal administration to non-invasively induce a protective immune response that provides protection against challenge with intranasal inhalation of  B. anthracis  spores.   
     
     
         59 . The pharmaceutical dosage of  claim 58 , wherein the adenovirus vector E1 and/or E3 defective adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5). 
     
     
         60 . The pharmaceutical dosage of  claim 58 , wherein the  B. anthracis  protective antigen is PA83. 
     
     
         61 . The pharmaceutical dosage of  claim 58 , wherein the mammal is a companion animal, a domesticated animal, a food- or feed-producing animal, a livestock animal, a game animal, a racing animal, or a sport animal. 
     
     
         62 . The pharmaceutical dosage of  claim 58 , wherein the mammal is a cow, a horse, a dog, a cat, a goat, a sheep, or a pig. 
     
     
         63 . The pharmaceutical dosage of  claim 58 , wherein the mammal is a human. 
     
     
         64 . The pharmaceutical dosage of  claim 58 , further comprising an adjuvant. 
     
     
         65 . A pharmaceutical dosage for intranasal administration to a mammal, comprising:
 a pharmaceutical acceptable carrier or diluent admixed with at least 10 7  pfu of a non-replicating adenovirus vector that contains and expresses a nucleic acid encoding  B. anthracis  protective antigen, wherein the dosage is configured for intranasal administration to non-invasively induce a protective immune response that provides protection against challenge with intranasal inhalation of  B. anthracis  spores, wherein the mammal produces toxin-neutralizing antibodies in response to the intranasal administration of the adenovirus vector encoding  B. anthracis  protective antigen.   
     
     
         66 . The pharmaceutical dosage of  claim 65 , wherein the adenovirus vector is E1 and/or E3 defective adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5). 
     
     
         67 . The pharmaceutical dosage of  claim 65 , wherein the  B. anthracis  protective antigen is PA83. 
     
     
         68 . The pharmaceutical dosage of  claim 65 , wherein the mammal is a companion animal, a domesticated animal, a food- or feed-producing animal, a livestock animal, a game animal, a racing animal, or a sport animal. 
     
     
         69 . The pharmaceutical dosage of  claim 65 , wherein the mammal is a cow, a horse, a dog, a cat, a goat, a sheep, or a pig. 
     
     
         70 . The pharmaceutical dosage of  claim 65 , wherein the mammal is a human. 
     
     
         71 . The pharmaceutical dosage of  claim 65 , further comprising an adjuvant. 
     
     
         72 . A pharmaceutical dosage for intranasal administration to a mammal, comprising:
 a pharmaceutical acceptable carrier or diluent admixed with at least 10 7  pfu of a non-replicating adenovirus vector that contains and expresses a nucleic acid encoding  B. anthracis  protective antigen, wherein the dosage is configured for intranasal administration to non-invasively induce a protective immune response that provides protection against challenge with intranasal inhalation of  B. anthracis  spores; and,   a spray dispenser.   
     
     
         73 . The pharmaceutical dosage of  claim 72 , wherein the adenovirus vector is E1 and/or E3 defective adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5). 
     
     
         74 . The pharmaceutical dosage of  claim 72 , wherein the  B. anthracis  protective antigen is PA83. 
     
     
         75 . The pharmaceutical dosage of  claim 72 , wherein the mammal is a cow, a horse, a dog, a cat, a goat, a sheep, or a pig. 
     
     
         76 . The pharmaceutical dosage of  claim 72 , wherein the mammal is a human. 
     
     
         77 . The pharmaceutical dosage of  claim 72 , further comprising an adjuvant.