Methods for treating GI syndrome and graft versus host disease
We have discovered that administering anti-ceramide antibody treats and prevents an array of diseases mediated by cytolytic T lymphocyte (CTLs)-induced killing and by damage to endothelial microvasculture, including radiation-induced GI syndrome, Graft vs. Host diseases, inflammatory diseases and autoimmune diseases. We have also discovered new anti-ceramide monoclonal antibodies, that have therapeutic use preferably in humanized form to treat or prevent these diseases.
1. An anti-ceramide antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof comprising:
an immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region (VH) comprising heavy chain complementarity determining regions 1-3 (HCDRs 1-3), and
an immunoglobulin light chain variable region (VL) comprising light chain complementarity determining regions 1-3 (LCDRs 1-3);
wherein the HCDRs 1-3 and LCDRs 1-3 of the anti-ceramide antibody are the same as those produced by the hybridoma deposited under international deposit number PTA-13418.
2. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the anti-ceramide antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of claim 1 .
3. A method of treating or preventing radiation disease or GI syndrome, said method comprising administering an effective amount of the anti-ceramide antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of claim 1 to a patient in need thereof.
4. A method of treating or preventing graft versus host disease, said method comprising administering an effective amount of the anti-ceramide antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of claim 1 to a patient in need thereof.