COMBINATION THERAPY WITH TYPE I AND TYPE II ANTI-CD20 ANTIBODIES
The present invention is directed to a combination therapy involving a type I anti-CD20 antibody and a type II anti-CD20 antibody for the treatment of a patient suffering from cancer, particularly a CD20-expressing cancer. An aspect of the invention is a composition comprising a type I anti-CD20 antibody and a type II anti-CD20 antibody. Another aspect of the invention is a kit comprising a type I anti-CD20 antibody and a type II anti-CD20 antibody. Yet another aspect of the invention is a method for the treatment of a patient suffering from cancer comprising co-administering, to a patient in need of such treatment, a type I anti-CD20 antibody and a type II anti-CD20 antibody.
1 . A composition comprising a type I anti-CD20 antibody and a type II anti-CD20 antibody.
2 . A composition according to claim 1 wherein said type I anti-CD20 antibody has a ratio of the binding capacities to CD20 on Raji cells (ATCC No. CCL-86) of said type I anti-CD20 antibody compared to rituximab of 0.8 to 1.2, and said type II anti-CD20 antibody has a ratio of the binding capacities to CD20 on Raji cells (ATCC No. CCL-86) of said type II anti-CD20 antibody compared to rituximab of 0.3 to 0.6.
3 . A composition according to claim 1 wherein said type I anti-CD20 antibody and said type II anti-CD20 antibody are each monoclonal antibodies.
4 . A composition according to claim 1 wherein said type I anti-CD20 antibody is rituximab.
5 . A composition according to claim 1 wherein said type II anti-CD20 antibody is a humanized B-Ly1 antibody.
6 . A composition according to claim 1 wherein said type I anti-CD20 antibody is rituximab and said type II anti-CD20 antibody is a humanized B-Ly1 antibody.
7 . A composition according to claim 1 wherein said type II anti-CD20 antibody has increased antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity.
8 . A composition according to claim 1 wherein at least 40% or more of the oligosaccharides of the Fc region of said type II anti-CD20 antibody are non-fucosylated.
9 . A composition according to claim 1 wherein said type I anti-CD20 antibody has a ratio of the binding capacities to CD20 on Raji cells (ATCC-No. CCL-86) of said type I anti-CD20 antibody compared to rituximab of 0.9 to 1.1.
10 . A composition according to claim 1 wherein said type II anti-CD20 antibody has a ratio of the binding capacities to CD20 on Raji cells (ATCC No. CCL-86) of said type II anti-CD20 antibody compared to rituximab of 0.35 to 0.55.
11 . A composition according to claim 1 wherein said type II anti-CD20 antibody has a ratio of the binding capacities to CD20 on Raji cells (ATCC No. CCL-86) of said type II anti-CD20 antibody compared to rituximab of 0.4 to 0.5.
12 . A kit comprising a type II anti-CD20 antibody and a type I anti-CD20 antibody for the combination treatment of a patient suffering from a CD20 expressing cancer.
13 . The kit according to claim 15 , characterized in that said type I anti-CD20 antibody is rituximab, said type II anti-CD20 antibody is a humanized B-Ly1 antibody and said CD20 expressing cancer is a B-Cell Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL).
14 . A method for the treatment of a CD20 expressing cancer in a patient comprising co-administering, to a patient in need of such treatment, a type I anti-CD20 antibody and a type II anti-CD20 antibody.
15 . A method according to claim 14 wherein said antibodies are simultaneously administered.
16 . A method according to claim 14 wherein said type I anti-CD20 antibody is first administered and then said type II anti-CD20 antibody is later administered.
17 . A method according to claim 14 wherein said type II anti-CD20 antibody is first administered and then said type I anti-CD20 antibody is later administered.
18 . A method according to claim 14 wherein said type I anti-CD20 antibody is rituxumab, said type II anti-CD20 antibody is a humanized B-Ly1 antibody, and said CD20 expressing cancer is B-Cell Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.