Claims
- 1. A method of treating immunosuppression in a warm-blooded animal, comprising administering to the animal an amount of a composition selected from the group consisting of combretastatin A4, prodrugs thereof, and mixtures thereof, effective to enhance immune responsiveness without causing vascular destruction.
- 2. A method according to claim 1, comprising administering to the animal said amount of said composition and another agent for counteracting immunosuppression.
- 3. A method according to claim 2, wherein said other agent is a selective inhibitor of NOS.
- 4. A method of treating a warm-blooded animal bearing a tumor, comprising
(a) subjecting the animal to immunotherapy to inhibit or kill tumor cells, while (b) administering to the animal an amount of a composition selected from the group consisting of combretastatin A4, prodrugs thereof, and mixtures thereof, effective to enhance immune responsiveness.
- 5. A method according to claim 4, wherein step (a) comprises subjecting the animal to immune stimulating therapy.
- 6. A method according to claim 5, wherein step (a) comprises subjecting the animal to immuno-gene therapy.
- 7. A method according to claim 6, wherein step (a) comprises vaccinating the animal with tumor cells genetically modified to produce at least one cytokine that augments a cytolytic immune response.
- 8. A method according to claim 4, wherein said composition is combretastatin A4.
- 9. A method according to claim 4, wherein said composition is administered in an amount insufficient to effect substantial destruction of tumor vasculature.
- 10. A method according to claim 4, wherein said composition comprises at least one of said prodrugs and wherein said one prodrug is a metal or amine phosphate salt of combretastatin A4.
- 11. A method according to claim 10, wherein said composition is combretastatin A4 disodium phosphate.
- 12. A method according to claim 4, wherein step (b) comprises administering to the animal said amount of said composition and another agent for counteracting immunosuppression.
- 13. A method according to claim 12, wherein said other agent is a selective inhibitor of NOS.
- 14. A method of treating a warm-blooded animal bearing a tumor and exhibiting tumor-induced immunosuppression, comprising subjecting the animal to immune-response-enhancing therapy while administering to the animal an amount of a composition selected from the group consisting of combretastatin A4, prodrugs thereof, and mixtures thereof, effective to reduce immunosuppression but insufficient to effect substantial destruction of tumor vasculature.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/258,283 filed Dec. 26, 2000, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by this reference.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60258283 |
Dec 2000 |
US |