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 system for removing a target component from a body fluid of a patient, the system comprising:
 a housing;   an inlet coupled to the housing and configured to receive the body fluid;   a plurality of sequestering chambers disposed within the housing and configured to each receive a portion of the body fluid from the inlet; and   an access port coupled to the housing and configured to facilitate insertion and/or removal of a capture support to or from one of the plurality of sequestering chambers.   
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein the access port comprises a plurality of access ports respectively configured to facilitate insertion and/or removal of one of a plurality of capture supports to or from one of the plurality of sequestering chambers. 
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein the plurality of sequesting chambers are arranged in parallel, with each sequesting chamber coupled independently to the inlet. 
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein:
 the plurality of sequesting chambers are arranged in series;   a first sequesting chamber is coupled to the inlet and configured to receive all of the body fluid from the inlet; and   the first sequesting chamber is coupled to a second sequesting chamber such that all of the body fluid passes from the first sequesting chamber to the second sequestering chamber.   
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the second sequesting chamber is coupled directly to the outlet such that all of the body fluid passes from the second sequestering chamber to the outlet. 
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 42 , further comprising an outlet coupled to the housing and configured to receive the respective portions of the body fluid from the plurality of sequestering chambers. 
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 47 , further comprising a plurality of filters disposed within the housing so as to separate the plurality of sequestering chambers from the inlet and the outlet. 
     
     
         49 . The system of  claim 42 , further comprising a capture support disposed within one of the plurality of sequestering chambers and configured to bind to a target component. 
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 49 , wherein the capture support comprises a plurality of capture supports respectively disposed within the plurality of sequestering chambers and respectively configured to bind to one of a plurality of target components. 
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 49 , wherein:
 the capture support comprises a portion of a tumor necrosis factor (TNF); and   the target component comprises a soluble TNF receptor.   
     
     
         52 . The system of  claim 51 , wherein the capture agent comprises a single chain TNF. 
     
     
         53 . The system of  claim 52 , wherein the single chain TNF comprises at least three TNF monomers or portions thereof. 
     
     
         54 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein the capture support comprises a solid support. 
     
     
         55 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein the capture support comprises ligands bound to beads.