460 results about "Internalization" patented technology

The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment of CD20-expressing cancers and immune disorders involving CD20-expressing cells. The present methods comprise administering to a subject an anti CD20 antibody-drug conjugate that has a high potency and / or is capable of internalizing into CD20-expressing cells. The present invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions and kits comprising such conjugates. The present invention yet further provides methods of and compositions relating to combination therapy of cancer and immune disorders involving CD20-expressing cells using the anti-CD20 antibody-drug conjugates of the invention.

Methods, compositions, and apparatus for localized delivery of compounds are provided. In certain embodiments, acoustic streaming force is used to direct carrier particles to a target site, mediate particle internalization, and release associate compounds. Ultrasound radiation is preferred as the source for the acoustic streaming force. Also encompassed are embodiments in which targeting and membrane permeability enhancement are combined with imaging of the treatment site.

Targeted therapeutics that localize to a specific subcellular compartment such as the lysosome are provided. The targeted therapeutics include a therapeutic agent and a targeting moiety that binds a receptor on an exterior surface of the cell, permitting proper subcellular localization of the targeted therapeutic upon internalization of the receptor. Nucleic acids, cells, and methods relating to the practice of the invention are also provided.

Targeted therapeutics that localize to a specific subcellular compartment such as the lysosome are provided. The targeted therapeutics include a therapeutic agent and a targeting moiety that binds a receptor on an exterior surface of the cell, permitting proper subcellular localization of the targeted therapeutic upon internalization of the receptor. Nucleic acids, cells, and methods relating to the practice of the invention are also provided.

Disclosed is a conjugate comprising a biologically active agent (drug) linked to a subcellular targeting moiety that targets a drug specifically to the nucleus. Targeting is achieved by attaching a steroid hormone (or an analog) to the drug. The steroid hormone attached to the drug binds its corresponding receptor, the formation of the receptor-ligand complex results in the internalization of the complex into the nucleus, thus resulting in nuclear translocation of the drug. Also disclosed is a conjugate (comprising the complex of the drug and the steroid hormone) bound to a polymer by spacers allowing for concurrent passive targeting to the tumor cell (afforded by attachment to the polymer by the EPR effect) and nuclear targeting of the conjugate (due to the presence of the steroid). Using a suitable degradable spacer allows for the release of free drug in the tumor and enhances nuclear targeting efficacy. The polymer can be further linked to a cellular targeting molecule, where the targeting molecule directs the polymer to specific cells. One may thus be able to effectively target drugs to the nucleus of tumor cells. With little or modifications, several therapeutic agents can be targeted using the invention.

Amphipathic lytic peptides are ideally suited to use in a ligand / cytotoxin combination to specifically inhibit cells that are driven by or are dependent upon a specific ligand interaction; for example, to induce sterility or long-term contraception, or to attack tumor cells, or to selectively lyse virally-infected cells, or to attack lymphocytes responsible for autoimmune diseases. The peptides act directly on cell membranes, and need not be internalized. Administering a combination of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) (or a GnRH agonist) and a membrane-active lytic peptide produces long-term contraception or sterilization in animals in vivo. Administering in vivo a combination of a ligand and a membrane-active lytic peptide kills cells with a receptor for the ligand. The compounds are relatively small, and are not antigenic. Lysis of gonadotropes has been observed to be very rapid (on the order of ten minutes.) Lysis of tumor cells is rapid. The two components-the ligand and the lytic peptide-may optionally be administered as a fusion peptide, or they may be administered separately, with the ligand administered slightly before the lytic peptide, to activate cells with receptors for the ligand, and thereby make those cells susceptible to lysis by the lytic peptide. The compounds may be used in gene therapy to treat malignant or non-malignant tumors, and other diseases caused by clones or populations of "normal" host cells bearing specific receptors (such as lymphocytes), because genes encoding a lytic peptide or encoding a lytic peptide / peptide hormone fusion may readily be inserted into hematopoietic stem cells or myeloid precursor cells.