Compositions and methods for beta-glucan immunotherapy
This disclosure describes, in one aspect, a composition that includes a β-glucan component and an antibody component that specifically binds to the β-glucan. In another aspect, this disclosure describes a method of increasing a subject's response to β-glucan immunotherapy. Generally, the method includes identifying the subject as a low binder of β-glucan and administering to the subject a composition that comprises a β-glucan moiety conjugated to the therapeutic antibody. In some cases, the therapeutic antibody can be an anti-tumor antibody.
1. A method of increasing a subject's response to soluble β-glucan immunotherapy, the method comprising:
identifying the subject as a low binder of β-glucan; and
co-administering to the subject a composition that comprises:
soluble β(1,6)-[poly-(1,3)-D-glucopyranosyl]-poly-β(1,3)-D-glucopyranose; and
an antibody preparation that specifically binds to the soluble β(1,6)-[poly-(1,3)-D-glucopyranosyl]-poly-β(1,3)-D-glucopyranose.
2. A method of increasing a subject's response to soluble β-glucan immunotherapy, the method comprising administering to the subject a composition that comprises:
a soluble β-glucan moiety comprising β(1,6)-[poly-(1,3)-D-glucopyranosyl]-poly-β(1,3)-D-glucopyranose; and
an antibody or antibody fragment conjugated to the β-glucan moiety.
3. The method of claim 2 and further comprising identifying the subject as a low binder of soluble β-glucan.
4. The method of claim 2 wherein the antibody comprises a therapeutic antibody.
5. The method of claim 2 and further comprising administering an anti-tumor antibody.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the anti-tumor antibody specifically binds to leukemic or lymphomic cells.
7. The method of claim 5 wherein the anti-tumor antibody binds to cells of solid tumor.
8. A method of treating a tumor comprising co-administering to a subject having a tumor a composition that comprises:
soluble β(1,6)-[poly-(1,3)-D-glucopyranosyl]-poly-β(1,3)-D-glucopyranose;
an antibody preparation that specifically binds to the soluble β(1,6)-[poly-(1,3)-D-glucopyranosyl]-poly-β(1,3)-D-glucopyranose; and
an anti-tumor antibody preparation.
9. The method of claim 8 and further comprising identifying the subject as a low binder of soluble β-glucan.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein the soluble β(1,6)-[poly-(1,3)-D-glucopyranosyl]-poly-β(1,3)-D-glucopyranose and the antibody preparation are co-administered simultaneously.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein the soluble β(1,6)-[poly-(1,3)-D-glucopyranosyl]-poly-β(1,3)-D-glucopyranose and the antibody preparation are administered sequentially so that the soluble β(1,6)-[poly-(1,3)-D-glucopyranosyl]-poly-β(1,3)-D-glucopyranose and the antibody preparation are simultaneously bioavailable after both are administered.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein the soluble β(1,6)-[poly-(1,3)-D-glucopyranosyl]-poly-β(1,3)-D-glucopyranose and the antibody preparation are co-administered at different sites.
13. The method of claim 1 wherein the antibody preparation comprises a monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to β(1,6)-[poly-(1,3)-D-glucopyranosyl]-poly-β(1,3)-D-glucopyranose.