Methods and compositions for enhancing the potency of superantigen mediated cancer immunotherapy
Provided is a method for enhancing the potency of a targeted cancer immunotherapy in a subject by using a superantigen in combination with an immunopotentiator (for example, a PD-1 inhibitor).
1. A method of treating a cancer in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising:
administering to the subject (i) an effective amount of a superantigen conjugate comprising a first protein chain comprising SEQ ID NO: 8 and a second protein chain comprising SEQ ID NO: 9 that together bind a 5T4 cancer antigen expressed by cancerous cells within the subject and (ii) an effective amount of an anti-PD-1 antibody selected from nivolumab and pembrolizumab, thereby to treat the cancer,
wherein the cancer is selected from non-small cell lung cancer and melanoma.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the superantigen conjugate is administered to the subject before the anti-PD-1 antibody.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the anti-PD-1 antibody is pembrolizumab.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the anti-PD-1 antibody is nivolumab.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cancer is non-small cell lung cancer.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cancer is melanoma.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the superantigen conjugate is administered to the subject at the same time as the anti-PD-1 antibody.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the superantigen conjugate is administered to the subject after the anti-PD-1 antibody.