System and method for removal of immune inhibitors from biological fluids

Abstract

The present system and method are useful for the removal of immune inhibitors such as soluble TNF receptors from the body fluid of cancer patients. In some embodiments, soluble TNF-Receptors 1 and 2 are selectively removed from plasma at 80% or more efficiency. In some embodiments, the system includes an immobilized capture ligand of a single chain TNFα. The system and method are useful for the treatment of different cancer types, stages and severity.

1 - 41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . A column for extracorporeal removal of a soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor (sTNF-R) from plasma of a patient, the column comprising:
 a compartment configured such that the plasma passes through the compartment; and   a capture support disposed within the compartment;   
       wherein the capture support has a capture efficiency of at least 10% and a leaching rate of less than 1670 ng/min. 
     
     
         43 . The column of  claim 42 , wherein the capture efficiency is at least 50%. 
     
     
         44 . The column of  claim 43 , wherein the capture efficiency is at least 80%. 
     
     
         45 . The column of  claim 44 , wherein the capture efficiency is at least 90%. 
     
     
         46 . The column of  claim 45 , wherein the capture efficiency is at least 95%. 
     
     
         47 . The column of  claim 42 , wherein the leaching rate is less than 50 ng/min. 
     
     
         48 . The column of  claim 47 , wherein the leaching rate is less than 10 ng/min. 
     
     
         49 . The column of  claim 42 , wherein:
 the capture support has a volume;   the leaching rate is less than 150 ng/min per ml of capture support.   
     
     
         50 . The column of  claim 49 , wherein the leaching rate is less than 50 ng/min per ml of capture support. 
     
     
         51 . The column of  claim 50 , wherein the leaching rate is less than 10 ng/min per ml of capture support. 
     
     
         52 . The column of  claim 42 , wherein the capture agent comprises a portion of a tumor necrosis factor (TNF). 
     
     
         53 . The column of  claim 52 , wherein the capture agent comprises a single chain TNF. 
     
     
         54 . The column of  claim 53 , wherein the single chain TNF comprises at least three TNF monomers or portions thereof. 
     
     
         55 . The column of  claim 42 , wherein the sTNF-R comprises a TNF-R1. 
     
     
         56 . The column of  claim 42 , wherein the sTNF-R comprises a TNF-R2. 
     
     
         57 . The column of  claim 42 , wherein the capture efficiency and leaching rate are averages over 30 seconds of flow of the plasma through the column. 
     
     
         58 . The column of  claim 42 , wherein the column exhibits the capture efficiency and leaching rate during the first five minutes of flow of the plasma through the column. 
     
     
         59 . The column of  claim 42 , wherein the capture efficiency and leaching rate are averages over 2 hours of flow of the plasma through the column. 
     
     
         60 . The column of  claim 42 , wherein the column exhibits the capture efficiency and leaching rate at any time during flow of the plasma through the column.