Glucan preparations
Particulate β-glucan is solubilized at elevated pressure and temperature to form soluble β-glucan. The method is safe and economical and produces a product that is an improved pharmaceutical agent.
1. A method of stimulating the immune system of a patient comprising:
administering to the patient a composition comprising underivatized, soluble β-glucan derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and having immunostimulatory properties and an average molecular weight between about 120,000 Da and about 205,000Da;
soluble β-glucan having a molecular weight over 380,000 Da in an amount less than or equal to 10%; and β-glucan having a molecular weight under 25,000 Da in an amount less than or equal to 17%,
wherein the underivatized, soluble β-glucan is prepared by applying pressure to a suspension comprising particulate β-glucan and acetic acid, and heating the suspension for a time sufficient to form the soluble β-glucan, wherein the suspension is buffered to a pH of about 3.6, and where the underivatized, soluble β-glucan is not treated with caustic solution during preparation.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the patient has undergone cytoreductive therapy.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the cytoreductive therapy is high dose chemotherapy or radiation.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method induces hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) mobilization in the patient.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the patient has cancer.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition does not induce a biochemical mediator that causes side effects.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the biochemical mediator is interleukin-1 β or tumor necrosis factor-α.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the underivatized, soluble β-glucan forms a triple helix aggregate having a molecular weight between about 25,000 Da and about 380,000 Da.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the underivatized, soluble β-glucan has a molecular weight over 380,000 Da in an amount of from 4% to 8%.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the underivatized, soluble β-glucan has a molecular weight under 25,000 Da in an amount of from 8% to 13%.
11. A method of mobilizing stem cells of a patient comprising:
administering to the patient a composition comprising underivatized, soluble β-glucan derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and having immunostimulatory properties and an average molecular weight between about 120,000 Da and about 205,000 Da;
soluble β-glucan having a molecular weight over 380,000 Da in an amount less than or equal to 10%; and β-glucan having a molecular weight under 25,000 Da in an amount less than or equal to 17%,
wherein the underivatized, soluble β-glucan is prepared by applying pressure to a suspension comprising particulate β-glucan and acetic acid, and heating the suspension for a time sufficient to form the soluble β-glucan, wherein the suspension is buffered to a pH of about 3.6, and where the underivatized, soluble β-glucan is not treated with caustic solution during preparation.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the patient has undergone cytoreductive therapy.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the cytoreductive therapy is high dose chemotherapy or radiation.
14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the stem cell mobilization is hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) mobilization in the patient.
15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the patient has cancer.
16. The method of claim 11 , wherein the composition does not induce a biochemical mediator that causes side effects.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the biochemical mediator is interleukin-1 β or tumor necrosis factor-α.
18. The method of claim 11 , wherein the underivatized, soluble β-glucan forms a triple helix aggregate having a molecular weight between about 25,000 Da and about 380,000 Da.
19. The method of claim 11 , wherein the underivatized, soluble β-glucan has a molecular weight over 380,000 Da in an amount of from 4% to 8%.
20. The method of claim 11 , wherein the underivatized, soluble β-glucan has a molecular weight under 25,000 Da in an amount of from 8% to 13%.
21. A method treating cancer in a patient comprising:
administering a cytoreductive therapy to the patient; and
administering a composition comprising soluble β-glucan having a molecular weight over 380,000 Da in an amount less than or equal to 10%; and β-glucan having a molecular weight under 25,000 Da in an amount less than or equal to 17%,
wherein the underivatized, soluble β-glucan is prepared by applying pressure to a suspension comprising particulate β-glucan and acetic acid, and heating the suspension for a time sufficient to form the soluble β-glucan, wherein the suspension is buffered to a pH of about 3.6, and where the underivatized, soluble β-glucan is not treated with caustic solution during preparation.