Abstract:
The invention relates to radioimmunoconjugates for the in-vivo elimination of virus-replicating cells in patients infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The inventive radioimmunoconjugates are characterized in that they contain, as immunologically active components, (a) a monoclonal antibody or the antigen-binding fragment thereof directed against a viral or virus-induced antigen expressed on the plasma membrane of HCV-infected cells; (b) a receptor molecule or a fragment of the receptor molecule with an affinity to an epitope of the surface glycoproteins E1 and/or E2, or; C) a fragment of the receptor molecule, said fragment being modified by random or selective mutagenesis, with an affinity to an epitope of the surface glycoproteins E1 and/or E2. In addition, the radioimmunoconjugates are characterized in that they contain, as radioactive components, a radioisotope having a shorter half-life and a lower range, for example, d) J, or e) P, or f) Y, or g) Sr. The radioimmunoconjugates are contained together with pharmaceutical supporting materials and/or auxiliary agents.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a radioimmuno-pharmacon for treating the HIV-1 infection. The disadvantages of standard HIV therapies are that the medicaments currently used must be taken daily in large quantities (approx. 30 tablets per day), in accordance with a strict timetable and for the rest of the patient's life, and that they cause numerous side effects. In addition, conventional medicaments only reduce the replication of the virus. They do not eliminate the host cells infected with HIV and therefore do not cure the HIV infection. The inventive radioimmuno-pharmacon consists of a monoclonal antibody and a radionuclide for eliminating HIV-replicating cells in patients infected with HIV-1 in vivo after the virus burden has been reduced with an antiretroviral therapy and optionally, with the added protection of a host cell transplantation and with medicamentous protection of thyroid activity. According to the invention, this radioimmuno-pharmacon is administered to the HIV-1-infected patient intravenously, once or in several cycles. It targets and inflicts lasting damage on the host cells in order to eliminate as near to all of them as possible. The aim is to heal the HIV infection or at least slow down the progression of the disease.